The Whitewater Valley Railroad is proud to anounce that it will be hosting Flagg Coal # 75 for the first two weekends in September 2006. # 75 is a 40 ton saddle tank locomotive built by the Vulcan Iron Works in 1930. This will be the first stop on a month long tour of different rail operations. After the WVRR stop, the locomotive will visit the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and Port Huron, Michigan before returning to the Steam Railroading Institute in Owasso, Michigan.

Six mile trips will be run throughout the day. The fares are $14 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12. Each trip will last about one hour and will follow along the remnants of the Whitewater Canal as well as the West Fork of the Whitewater River. Photo events are being planned for each weekend with details to be announced at a later date.


This will be the first time steam has run on the WVRR in almost 20 years. So don't miss it.

Connersville Schedule

Friday September 1, 2006 - Engine will be on display under steam. One public trip will depart at 1:00 PM. The regularly scheduled "Train to Dinner" (diesel power) will depart at 6pm.

Saturday September 2, 2006 - Five trips will depart at 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3:00, and 4:45. Regular train will depart for Metamora at 12:01pm.

Sunday September 3, 2006 - Five trips will depart at 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3:00, and 4:45. Regular train will depart for Metamora at 12:01pm.

Monday September 4, 2006 Labor Day - Five trips will depart at 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3:00, and 4:45. Regular train will depart for Metamora at 12:01pm.

Metamora Schedule

Friday September 8, 2006 - Four trips will depart at 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, and 3:15.

Saturday September 9, 2006 - Five trips will depart at 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3:15, and 5:15.

Sunday September 10, 2006 - Five trips will depart at 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3:15, and 5:15.

William W. Gray, Superintendent
Whitewater Valley Railroad
http://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/

The Whitewater Valley Railroad is an operating railroad museum dedicated to the preservation of a historic branch line railroad, to the restoration of railroad equipment, and to the conduct of educational railroad programs.

Wonderful news - and another victory for right-sized steam. Please let us all know how it works for you.

Didn't youns have a couple little Heislers laying around?

dave

Dave:

I think your info is a BIT out of date. One of the WV Heislers was purchased back in 1982 (!) by the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad located in Silver Creek Township south of Freeport, Illinois. The SC&S is a part of the Stephenson County Antique Engine Club which is a non-profit corporation. In 1983, the Club acquired the right-of-way (but not the rails and ties) of a nearby abandoned Milwaukee Road line and by 1987, had reopened the first part of the line.

I had the chance to visit the line today and sit in the cupola of a former IC caboose while Heisler # 2 pushed a four car train (two cabooses and two open cars) out to the end of their short line. The little (36 ton) engine smoked it up and put on a nice show for visitors. This is one of the little remarked steam operations in the U.S.A. but the volunteers seem to be doing a very nice job of providing the steam experience to a new generation of riders.

Les

Here is a bit of info on the 2 Heislers.

#2 - 0-4-4-0 Heisler (1912) Builders #1260
Weight 28 tons (approx.), Coal fuel, BP 175 lbs., Drivers 33”, Cylinders 12”x13” Tractive effort 8450 lbs., 25 mph top speed.

Built for Louise Lumber Co. in Hawkes, MS as #2. Then sold to Lamb- Fish Lumber Co. in Charleston, SC date unknown. Then to Santee River Hardwood Co. in Stephens, SC date unknown and renumbered #7. Then sold in 1962 Maggie Valley Amusement Corp. in Maggie Valley, NC as Highlander Railroad #2. In 1963 Mountain Development takes over assets and changes name of railroad to Maggie Valley Railroad. Sold in 1974 to Whitewater Valley Railroad (WVRR), and the first steam locomotive to operate on the railroad since NYC dieselized. In 1982 sold to Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad in Freeport, Ill as their #2

#3 - 0-4-4-0 Heisler (1906) Builders # 1127,1128 or 1129
Weight 18 tons (approx.), Coal fuel, BP 175 lbs, Drivers 30”, Cylinders 10”x10” Tractive effort 8000lbs., 20 mph top speed.

Built for Unknown, sold to Santee River Hardwood Co. in Stephens, SC as #3 date unknown. Then in 1962 to Maggie Valley Amusement Corp. in Maggie Valley, NC as Highlander Railroad #3. In 1963 to Mountain Development Corp. as Maggie Valley Railroad #3. Sold in 1974 to WVRR where it was used along side of #2.Then sold individual and stored on the WVRR. Believed to be one of the smallest standard gauge Heislers to ever operate.

Cool --- #75 will be coming here the weekend of September 23rd for "round two" of steam's return to Port Huron. More on that later!

TJ

I think what my family is doing with #75 addresses some of the concerns expressed by recent posts. They talk about sharing exhibits, bringing in new members (young people), upping attendance, and similar issues. The places we have visited have experienced positive effects, both for their membership and the attending public. The story of the restoration of #75 and our conversations during these visits have encouraged others to become actively involved in group or individual restoration projects. A young man from New York we met at the Ohio Central Trainfest purchased an engine similar to #75 and now has it within a month of approved operating condition. I would like to think we provided some inspiration for his restoration project. We look forward to our planned visits and hope to schedule more for next year.

John

"A young man from New York we met at the Ohio Central Trainfest purchased an engine similar to #75 and now has it within a month of approved operating condition."

I'm sure all of us would like to know more about this project.

For the benefit of those of us who might wish to bring in small steam locomotivces for special events, can you please give us a ballpark estimate of the costs involved in transportation, fuel and crew, etc? Do you have a custom built rollon / rolloff heavyweight lowboy of your own?

dave

The young man is Scott Symans of Dunkirk New York. He purchased a standard gauge Baldwin 0-4-0T from a scrap yard in Pulaski, Virginia. When he got it home the engine was completely taken apart cleaned and then reassembled with a new cab,smokebox, tubes, grates and other parts that were nessary to comply with part 230.

We are spending between the $15,000 to $20,000 range on #75's visit.

The total cost will vary somewhat depending on what the organization is going to do with the engine. For a rough idea one would look at the following. This would be for one weekend.
Charge for the engine $2000
Trucking from Owosso MI the greatest expense in most cases.
Cost of coal, about 15 miles per ton.
The cost of water
Lodging for the crew with the engine, 2-3 rooms.
Advertising for the event

The engine is hauled on a heavy equipment trailer with a detachable gooseneck. We use a winch to load and unload the engine.

HI,
Now you really have me interested! Will this engine be run on private property or will it be part of a rail museum or something else???? Is there any estimate on when it will be ready? Is he looking for any volunteers to help?
any info would be great!
thanks,
Matt

I don’t know just how much I should say about Scott’s project without asking him. Right now he is in Sturgis SD riding his motorcycle and I can’t get hold of him. I think I could say without being out of line that plans are to run it on a short line, the FRA hydro and fire up are scheduled for later this month and painting and finishing details will be done before the snow flies. As for volunteer help at this point I don’t know. I am sure that down the road if he does what is being planed that some will be needed. He also has a second tank engine that he hopes to restore when this one is complete.

Thank you for that info and getting my hopes up!!!!
I understand and respect keeping the information secret, but if he would like some help now and then (I can be trained) please have him email me!
thanks again
btw - I really enjoyed watching your engine at trainfest, as soon as I hit the lotto, Ill get one too!!!
Matt

This may be a perfect option if the locomotive will be making the rounds again in 2007. That year (and it is fast approaching) will be the sesquicentennial of the first railroad (the South Western Railroad) coming to Albany, GA. Thronateeska Heritage Center is planning a celebration of that event in early September. Since we do not have an operating locomotive at the museum, could you please contact me by e-mail or PM concerning the prospect of bringing your #75 south? Thanks.