Steam Engine Rides The Rails In Frederick County

WALKERSVILLE, Md. (AP) -- An 82-year-old steam engine is riding the rails for the first time in decades in Frederick County.

The Frederick News-Post reports that the restored Flagg Coal Co. No. 75 "Hank the Tank" engine took a test run Thursday at the Walkersville Southern Railroad and is scheduled to ferry riders along the tracks beginning this weekend. It's the first time the rails have seen a steam engine since 1949.

The railroad plans to offer extended service hours to accommodate demand for the steam engine.

The engine belongs to John Gramling, and his son Bryon, who restored it more than 10 years ago. The 64,000-pound engine takes 100 gallons of water and 100 pounds of coal to move one mile. It takes four to six hours to warm up.
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