General Steel Castings
Encyclopedia
The General Steel Castings Corporation was a steel casting
corporation
in the United States
established in 1928
by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
, American Locomotive Company
, and American Steel Foundries.
The company began construction on its new foundry and headquarters, situated on 112 acres, on the banks of the Delaware River in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, and close to Baldwin Locomotive's facilities. The new plant would open about two years later, circa July 1930, and would produce castings weighing from 100 to 110,000 pounds.
On July 30, 1929, the company completed its acquisition of the Commonwealth Steel Company
and its plant in Granite City, Illinois. Commonwealth Steel was a major supplier of large steel castings, used in the products produced by General Steel's owners, such as one-piece locomotive beds 52 feet (15.8 m) long weighing approximately 40,500 pounds and large cast steel underframes for railroad cars. By 1930, the company was making one-piece locomotive beds with integral cylinders and cradle, pilot beams, Delta trailer trucks, and water-bottom tenderframes that were over 87 feet (26.5 m) long.
As reported in The Commonwealther, "[t]he new Company, with larger resources and with two plants equipped to produce Commonwealth devices, will undoubtedly mean a better serving of the country with devices for the railroads and other customers. As stated by Mr. Howard [Commonwealth Steel's president, Clarence H. Howard]…the cooperation of the locomotive companies with us should mean a wider field of opportunities for our organization, our men, and our product."
The company's first Board of Directors meeting, after the acquisition of Commonwealth Steel, was held on August 7, 1929 and included among the attendees the president of the Pullman Company
, David A. Crawford, President William C. Dickerman of the American Locomotive Company, and President George H. Houston of the Baldwin Locomotive Company. Howard Clarence, formally the president of the Commonwealth Steel Company became Chairman of the Board of Directors and continued his duties at the Commonwealth Division of the now larger company.
General Steel would operate two plants, one in Eddystone, Pennsylvania
and one in Granite City, Illinois
.
The Granite City plant was acquired with the purchase of the Commonwealth Steel Company in 1929.
The company, initially using the products developed by Commonwealth Steel, specialized in large castings including tank
armor and locomotive frame
s and trucks
.
Over the years, the company expanded into other industrial areas. On May 1, 1961, the company changed its name to reflect its diversified business portfolio and became General Steel Industries
.
Steel casting
Steel casting is a specialized form of casting involving various types of steel. Steel castings are used when cast irons cannot deliver enough strength or shock resistance....
corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
established in 1928
by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
, American Locomotive Company
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
, and American Steel Foundries.
The company began construction on its new foundry and headquarters, situated on 112 acres, on the banks of the Delaware River in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, and close to Baldwin Locomotive's facilities. The new plant would open about two years later, circa July 1930, and would produce castings weighing from 100 to 110,000 pounds.
On July 30, 1929, the company completed its acquisition of the Commonwealth Steel Company
Commonwealth Steel Company
Commonwealth Steel Company was an American steel company based in Granite City, Illinois and founded in 1901 "by some of the young men who had helped establish the American Steel Foundry." The company produced steel castings and railroad supplies at its plant, employing about 1,500 people. Over...
and its plant in Granite City, Illinois. Commonwealth Steel was a major supplier of large steel castings, used in the products produced by General Steel's owners, such as one-piece locomotive beds 52 feet (15.8 m) long weighing approximately 40,500 pounds and large cast steel underframes for railroad cars. By 1930, the company was making one-piece locomotive beds with integral cylinders and cradle, pilot beams, Delta trailer trucks, and water-bottom tenderframes that were over 87 feet (26.5 m) long.
As reported in The Commonwealther, "[t]he new Company, with larger resources and with two plants equipped to produce Commonwealth devices, will undoubtedly mean a better serving of the country with devices for the railroads and other customers. As stated by Mr. Howard [Commonwealth Steel's president, Clarence H. Howard]…the cooperation of the locomotive companies with us should mean a wider field of opportunities for our organization, our men, and our product."
The company's first Board of Directors meeting, after the acquisition of Commonwealth Steel, was held on August 7, 1929 and included among the attendees the president of the Pullman Company
Pullman Company
The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s...
, David A. Crawford, President William C. Dickerman of the American Locomotive Company, and President George H. Houston of the Baldwin Locomotive Company. Howard Clarence, formally the president of the Commonwealth Steel Company became Chairman of the Board of Directors and continued his duties at the Commonwealth Division of the now larger company.
General Steel would operate two plants, one in Eddystone, Pennsylvania
Eddystone, Pennsylvania
Eddystone is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,442 at the 2000 census.-Early history:The area at the mouth of Ridley Creek was first called "Tequirassy" by Native Americans. The land was owned by Olof Persson Stille, one of the early settlers from New...
and one in Granite City, Illinois
Granite City, Illinois
Granite City is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States, part of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. At the 2010 census, the population was 29,849, making it the third largest city in the Metro-East and Southern Illinois, behind Alton and Belleville...
.
The Granite City plant was acquired with the purchase of the Commonwealth Steel Company in 1929.
The company, initially using the products developed by Commonwealth Steel, specialized in large castings including tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
armor and locomotive frame
Locomotive frame
A locomotive frame is the structure that forms the backbone of the railway locomotive, giving it strength and supporting the superstructure elements such as a cab, boiler or bodywork. The vast majority of locomotives have had a frame structure of some kind...
s and trucks
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
.
Over the years, the company expanded into other industrial areas. On May 1, 1961, the company changed its name to reflect its diversified business portfolio and became General Steel Industries
General Steel Industries
General Steel Industries, Inc., or GSI, was an American steel company originally founded as General Steel Castings Corporation in 1928.The company was initially headquartered in Eddystone, Pennsylvania and, prior to completing its own modern steel foundry in 1930, acquired the operations of the...
.