Flagg Coal Company 75

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Flagg Coal Company 75
Flagg Coal 0-4-0T No75.jpg
Flagg Coal at Train Festival 2009 in Owosso, Michigan
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Vulcan Iron Works
Serial number3972
Build dateDecember 1930
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  Whyte 0-4-0 ST
 •  UIC B
Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.38 in (965 mm)
Adhesive weight 82,000 lb (37.2 metric tons)
Loco weight82,000 lb (37.2 metric tons)
Fuel type Coal
Boiler pressure150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 14 in × 22 in (356 mm × 559 mm)
Valve typeSlide valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort 18,325 lbf (81.51 kN)
Career
Operators
Numbers
  • FCC 2
  • SPQ 75
  • FCC 75
Locale Michigan
DeliveredDecember 1930
Retired1953
RestoredOctober 2001
Current ownerJohn and Barney Gramling
DispositionOperational
References: [1]

Flagg Coal Company 75 is an 0-4-0 ST "Switcher" type steam locomotive, built for the Flagg Coal Company in December 1930 by the Vulcan Iron Works. [1] Restored and owned by John and Byron Gramling, the engine was loaned in 2002 to the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan where it is used for demonstrations and for powering train rides and excursions. Originally numbered Flagg Coal Company 2, the locomotive's number was changed to 75 when it was sold to the Solvay Process Quarry in 1935. It never actually wore "Flagg Coal Company 75" during its service life. [1]

Contents

History

No. 75 was built in December 1930 by the Vulcan Iron Works as No. 2 for the Flagg Coal Company of Avoca, Pennsylvania, were it was primarily used as a switcher engine. [1] [2] [3] In 1935, it was sold to the Solvay Process Co. in Jamesville, New York, were it was renumbered to No. 75. [1] It would continue to work in revenue service until 1953 when it was retired and put into storage. [1] [2] [3]

Flagg Coal #75 posed for a photo line up. Flagg Coal Company 75.jpg
Flagg Coal #75 posed for a photo line up.

That same year, No. 75 was sold along with several other locomotives to Dr. Groman for his planned Rail City Museum in Sandy Pond, New York. [1] [2] Although No. 75 never operated at the museum, it sat in storage outside for several years rusting away until 1991, when John and Barney Gramling purchased it to restore it to operating condition. [1] [2] [3] The father-son duo fully disassembled the locomotive and moved it to their shop in Ashley, Indiana. [1] After ten years of restoration work, No. 75 returned to service in October 2001. [1] [2] [3] In 2002, John and Barney leased it to the Steam Railroading Institute, where it is used for demonstrations and excursions. [1]

Demonstrations

Flagg Coal Company 75 has traveled around the country to operate, give demonstrations and educate the public about steam locomotive operation and history. [3] The locomotive has made a few historic appearances, such as being the first steam locomotive to operate in Port Huron, Michigan, since the early 1960s.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Flagg Coal Company #75". Steam Railroading Institute. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Steam train Flagg Coal Co. No. 75 rolling into Thomaston in June". New Haven Register. May 23, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Machine That Built America Returns to the Naugatuck Valley, After More than 60 Years". CNBC. May 10, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
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