Kalamazoo, Michigan
Merrill ‘Sonny’ Dalton

Metal, glass, wire
1984
Height: 29 in; Width: 23.5 in; Depth: 8.5 in
Other – Sculptures

Engraved on Caboose Top: Sonny Dalton – Kalamazoo, Michigan – 1984.

This signed Sonny Dalton (1933-2011) mixed-metal steampunk locomotive sculpture is comprised of various found parts including a 1930s automotive headlight, musical instruments, a music box, a coin bank, a postal mailbox, and various gears.  Also included are back lights and front lights that are all battery operated.

Sonny Dalton was a self-taught welder who quit his job at the GM factory to pursue his passion of welding.  Trains and motorcycles became his “signature” pieces.  He most often used pieces from musical instruments, combining them with miscellaneous metal objects, such as ball bearings and findings as seen here.