History of Mason Machine / Taunton Locomotive Works ?

[wa1lbk]

I've been trying (with little success so far [:(]) to find some history of the Mason Machine Works and / or Taunton Locomotive Works, builders of the well - known "Mason Bogies" & elegant 4-4-0's such as the "Highland Light". To my knowledge (& I could be wrong on this [:I] ), I believe they were one & the same company. Doing Google searches has so far not turned up any useful results. [V] I live only about 15 ~ 20 minutes drive time from the Taunton, MA area & am curious to know exactly where in Taunton the company was physically located[?] Although I doubt there are any surviving buildings, I'd be curious to look if I had an idea where to begin, also where they were in relation to existing remaining lines (all ex - New Haven in the Taunton area; at least 2 abandoned ones I know of, both sections of the former Dighton & Somerset predecessor of New Haven). Any suggestions (in terms of streets in the Taunton area, or books where I could find more info), would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! [:)] Tom

[coalminer3]

Here are some sources to look at:

Fisher, C.E. "Mason's Bogies" R&LHS Bulletin, 41: 15-22.
There is a piece abt. William Mason in R&LHS Bulletin 15: 20-33.
Also in Bulletin 15 is an article titled "Locomotive Building at Taunton, MA."

The New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association's Shoreliner magazine had an issue abt. Taunton within the past three yrs or so. Their website can probably give you a citation. BTW R&LHS is the Railway and Locomotive Hisotrical Society. There are some blds still standing and the Shoreliner article talks abt. them.

Hope this helps - good hunting.

work safe

[wa1lbk]

Thanks, coalminer3! [:)] I've picked up some back issues of the "Shoreliner" already to do a bit of research on New Haven history in my hometown (Fall River, MA). I'll check the NHRTIA website to see if the back issue you mentioned is still available. [8D] Tom

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The Mason Bogies are discussed in Wiener's "Articulated Locomotives". I believe they are classified as modified Fairlies.
Articulated locomotives are a lot more than Mallets and Garratts.

[Anonymous]

Recently a book was released about Wm. Mason and his loco works. TRAINS reviewed it and gave it high marks. It is listed in some of the classifieds in the magazine. Taunton was a different operation, as I understand it.

[wa1lbk]

earlydiesels, would you (or anyone else) happen to know the name and / or author of that book on Wm. Mason?

Tom

[gbrewer]

Here is a link to Art Wallace's book on amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0911581553/qid=1119107797/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9975297-4151219?v=glance&s=books

[Anonymous]

The Mason Machine Works,Train station and surrounding buildings were torn down during the urban renewal project of thelate60's. the Mason Machine works were located behind the current bus terminal(Gatra) which is located on Oak street in Taunton Near the Registry of Motor Vehicles.There is a pictorial history of taunton available from several historians includingDr. William Hanna, &Charles Crowley,The area is well documented in this book.