WhoWhat Is the Benson Mountain Company?

Peter Bouley, owner, and his crew left a very large power plant
construction and maintenance corporation to start this company
dedicated to the locomotive, traction, marine, automotive and
stationary engine people everywhere.

I saw a growing need to provide service to what appears to be a
growing forgotten group of hobbyists and dreamers. Often in my
management position with the large corporation I’d been asked
by hobbyists and museums to provide service. Whenever possible I
gave the service, but, with growing resistance from upper
management, a change had to happen!

I walked away from a secure position, where I was responsible
for multi-million dollar jobs and up to 10 workers from various
trades working in commercial, industrial, and power plants
throughout the eastern United States. I started the Benson Mountain
Company, taking the name from where I lived Benson Mountain located
where the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut
join. I knew that before I could help the hobbyist I had to reach
them and demonstrate our expertise. We are also represented in the
mid western United States by Mr. Jim Huffaker, of Mt. Pleasant,
Iowa, who is well known in that area.

In order to stay solvent in the meantime, we continued to
service our newly acquired commercial/industrial accounts. The
second year brought the issuance of ASME code stamps, a new shop, a
few boilers for hobbyists and visitations to many shows.

A challenge came from Myron Garrels, South Dakota, to build the
first half-size 110 HP Case boiler needed to build a tractor from
castings available from Tom Stebritz of Algona, Iowa. As copies of
original 1912 prints dealt with rivets and joint construction no
longer acceptable under current ASME code, a complete recalculation
and joint design had to be done and accepted by our Authorized
Inspection Agency for ASME code work. It seemed like an eternity
for ourselves and our customer. Many long hours were spent on the
phone with Myron going over details. A trip to South Dakota to see
a full-size 110 Case owned by Kevin Anderson and David Fie helped
with countless details.

Finally in September of 1994 the prototype was completed and
passed 225 psi hydrostatic tests (M.A.W.P. 150). After the
‘S’ stamp was placed upon the back head I called Myron and
told him. I decided that I should deliver this boiler personally
and show it to the many interested people along the way. Myron made
arrangements to have those people who had supported this project in
South Dakota meet Myron and me in Watertown, South Dakota so that
they could all see the results.

The photo below shows the new 110 HP half size boiler on a
trailer in front of Don Redlin’s shop in Watertown, South
Dakota. (L to R) Kevin Anderson, Myron Garrels (new owner), Don
Redlin, Leo (retired locomotive engineer) and David Fie.

As of 1995 Benson Mountain Company is 100% dedicated to the
hobbyist, museums, railroad and others who appreciate steam power.
We thank everyone who has supported us in reaching this goal and we
are ready to support anyone needing a good new boiler or qualified,
caring repairs. We invite your inquiries and shop visits are
allowed anytime by calling our office. We love to have company see
us at work. We look forward to seeing many of you at the shows this
season and we hope to bring along some of our equipment to show as
well. The Benson Mountain Team.