METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Brookville Equipment Corp. marks 100th anniversary

Originally founded as Brookville Truck and Tractor Co. in 1918 when local Ford-dealer installed flanged rail wheels on standard Ford Model-T.

August 9, 2018
Brookville Equipment Corp. marks 100th anniversary

 

2 min to read


Brookville Equipment Corp. celebrated its 100th Anniversary, with nearly 800 guests, employees, families of employees, friends, suppliers, and industry members in attendance.

As part of the festivities, addresses were given by CEO and Chairman Dalph S. McNeil, who discussed the major role long-tenured employees played in the company’s success, and Brookville Equipment President Rick Graham, who focused on how the company is continuing to transform and evolve in the modern age.

Ad Loading...

Brookville Equipment volunteers provided in-depth tours of the manufacturing facility, which covered the company’s history and current product line. Visitors were able to see streetcars, locomotives, and mining equipment in various phases of manufacturing.

The company also displayed some of its rail equipment, including heritage streetcars bound for San Francisco and El Paso, modern streetcars destined for Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, mining equipment for customers in West Virginia, and a locomotive for Metro-North Railroad in New York City. Guests were able to board the Oklahoma City Streetcar.

Additionally, Brookville Equipment showcased a 1945 model BFA-5 gasoline-powered locomotive. The small locomotive, purchased, and refurbished by the company, includes a Ford Flathead V8 engine and runs on 21 1/2-inch rail gauge. American Industrial Mining Company Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit preservation society from Buckeye Lake, Ohio, also brought a 1930s-era three-ton Ford-powered locomotive, which was decaled to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the company.

A 1930s-era Ford-powered V8 gasoline switchinglocomotive restored by American Industrial CompanyMuseum. (Photo by Chris Lasher)

Originally founded as Brookville Truck and Tractor Co. in 1918 when local Ford-dealer L.A. Leathers installed flanged rail wheels on standard Ford Model-T, the company would soon be known as Brookville Locomotive Works and become a full-scale manufacturer of small-scale rail switchers for railroad and industrial applications. In the 1970s, the company was purchased by the McNeil family, who has now held the company for more than four decades. Under the vision of CEO Dalph S. McNeil, the company would be renamed Brookville Mining Equipment Corp. in the 1980s, emerging as a market leader in mining rail haulage and transport equipment, including locomotives and personnel carriers.

Today, now known as Brookville Equipment Corp., the company continues to be a market leader in rail-mounted mining equipment and has diversified into the production of full-scale surface locomotives for freight and passenger applications, and streetcars, having delivered new and rebuilt fleets to cities across the U.S., including Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, El Paso, Dallas, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, and soon to include, Tempe, Ariz.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Portland, Ore.

More Rail

Railby StaffFebruary 2, 2026

Chicago Region Transit Ridership Grows in 2025

The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.

Read More →
Managementby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Valley Metro Sees Strong Ridership Growth in 2025

The agency ranked top five among mid-sized U.S. transit systems, defined as agencies with 15 million to 50 million annual trips.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Subway Customer Satisfaction Reaches Record High, New York MTA Says

The subway system saw increases across all key metrics, with 62% of subway riders reporting they feel satisfied with the system overall.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Managementby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

Keolis Retains Virginia Railway Express Contract

The new contract for Keolis and VRE will commence in July 2026, with the potential to expand to 15 years.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

California's OCTA Advances 2026 Initiatives Centered on Balance and Sustainability

The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.

Read More →
Railby Staff and News ReportsJanuary 26, 2026

People Movement: Virginia's DRPT Names New Director and More

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ManagementJanuary 23, 2026

Seattle Sound Transit Sets Launch Date for Crosslake Connection

This final component of the 2 Line will cross Lake Washington and connect with the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown Station, creating a fully integrated regional light rail system.

Read More →
A blue and white graphic with a map of the proposed study area for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor and text reading "LA Metro Approves Underground Rail for Sepulveda Transit Corridor."
RailJanuary 23, 2026

LA Metro Approves Underground Rail for Sepulveda Transit Corridor

The agency’s selection aims to slash travel times from the San Fernando Valley to the Westside to under 20 minutes.

Read More →
TechnologyJanuary 21, 2026

Florida's Tri-Rail Taps Siemens Mobility for Modern Locomotive Procurement

Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of an Austin Light Rail station.
RailJanuary 20, 2026

Austin Transit Partnership Advances Federal Funding Process for Light Rail Project

See how the agency’s transit project completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement within the federal two-year guideline.

Read More →