Mission

 PRESERVING WESTERN PA's INDUSTRIAL RAILROAD HERITAGE

We are a 501 (c) 3 charity organized for education. Our museum based in St. Marys, PA serves as as a resource for education and preservation of railroad history. Real history that you can not only see, but also enjoy! 

The Bucksgahuda and Western Railroad Co. offers tours and rides by appointment only. 

Our History

IN THE BEGINNING: The B&W started in 1966 when the Bauer brothers of St. Marys, PA, purchased a German-built steam locomotive through an advertisement in Trains magazine, and shipped the engine from Germany through Philadelphia to St. Marys. The first 15 feet of track were laid here just before the locomotive arrived, and the original engine house had to be built around the engine! After reconditioning this first locomotive, other equipment, rails, ties, and supplies were acquired over the years, notably in 1981 when the Joyce National Powder Co. of Eldred (PA) donated the entire plant railroad. With this additional equipment, interest in the project continued to grow . The large engine house was first constructed in 1983 and enlarged twice, the bridge built in 1985, the loop of track finished in 1986, and the turntable and water tower were added in 1992. In 1993, we were fortunate to acquire a diesel-electric locomotive and a Shay-type steam locomotive, also in recent years two additional engine house buildings and a 60’ standard gauge boxcar were added for additional storage. The last few years have also seen construction of a quarter-mile branch line on the original St.Marys and Southwestern Railroad grade.

See our HISTORY & PROJECTS for more details and photos!

​Where the Geese Wear Pants

Buxtehude, Germany is the "Friendly Fairytale Capitol of the World" and happens share a unique link with out little railroad.  The founders, the Bauer Family, trace their roots back to this region of Germany. In addition, our #1 Otto, is from this Buxtehude. 

​The fairy tale of “Bucksgahuda” is coming of age tale where children who refuse to "grow up" are transformed trouser wearing geese! The story goes: little children are given the task on minding flocks of geese among their other chores. Some little children refuse to grow up and do their work, they would rather play. A large gander comes and takes these children away and transforms them info little goslings. They are distinct from other geese as these transformed children are still wearing trousers. 

We are the place that the gander deposits these transformed children who never grow up. Just like these children, B&WRR Co. members never grow up either, we are still playing with our trains!

Keep an eye out for pants wearing geese! #2 ED is a good place to start.