Maybe OT.. US steam engine show

Cedge · Maybe OT.. US steam engine show

I hope this isn't too far afield of the toy engine subject, but I do know a few of the board members have been exposed to full sized traction engines along the way.

This weekend I was invited to an "open house" by a fellow who collects traction engines. I had no idea what I'd be seeing when I got there.

I've posted a few photos of what proved to be an eye popping adventure at http://www.cedesign.net/steam/nc-steam . Just click on the thumbnails for a larger view. Everything you'll see is part of one single man's personal collection.

For those in the UK who are used to seeing highly polished and beautifully painted traction engines, US made engines might look a bit strange. They were designed and built purely with rugged utility in mind. Looking pretty didn't plow more acres faster and bigger was definitely good... huge was better still. Raw brute power has its own kind of beauty. Four of the engines shown, the Rumley, the Gieser, Christian Shephard and the Reeves are all 140 hp engines of quite epic proportions.

I have no idea how many engines this fellow actually owns, but they include steam and hit and miss style traction engines along with a huge number of antique tracked machines, old trucks and cars, even a jet powered tractor. Each basic catagory of equipment has its own long enclosed metal shed where everthing is kept nice and dry. (one of the hit and miss traction engines came with a price tag of just over $260,000.00 usd or about £136,500.00 )

Enjoy the view... I sure did

Steve

SPOKESMAN

Very interesting - there's some pretty heavy duty stuff in there!

yosa

Hi Steve, good to hear from you.

That's some collection mate, and all one guy?

The biggest of the two rollers is definately the inspiration for the Wilesco I think.

I see the weathers just sbout holding up for you. We're all cold and wet now on this side of the pond.

Bottom right thumbnail: Is that the keystone cops coming out of retirement?

tmuir

Nice collection.
But shouldn't that white car have red spokes and a spare wheel bolted on the back and I cant see where the meth burner goes.

Sandman

steamyjim

excellant collection there

the cars a stanley steam car

Steely

I'm pretty sure that same steam car was at Dorset steam fair.

Steve_S

What a fantastic collection! Some very interesting machinery there.
Thanks for letting us see them. The monetary value of a collection like that must be huge... I guess it puts our moans about inflating eBay prices into perspective!