After missing the annual steam engine show last summer we were excited to get back out there again this year! As always it was an enjoyable afternoon taking in all the sights, sounds and smells that go along with this show.
This year’s featured machine was a gasoline-powered 1918 Holt 75 Caterpillar:
According to an article in last week’s local newspaper, “The late Ed Smolik, acquired this particular Holt in a remote area of Canada. Ed brought the work worn machine home to Osage where it rested for more than 50 years.”
And according to a post at this forum, “For the first time in nearly fifty years this giant came to life. It has been sitting many years because the heads were cracked and beond repair. After sitting in Ray Smolik’s shed for years it made its trip to Waverly where work was started on it by the late John Ruth. Two years ago we hauled it back to Osage where we finished it. The late Ed and Ray Smolik had 16 brand new heads casted in China. And the valves were bought rite from Caterpillar. We also had a new radiator built.” There are more pictures of this machine on that post.
The work that goes into restoring and maintaining these machines is really something!
Another restoration featured at this year’s show was Mitchell County’s largest country schoolhouse, dating back to 1859. And it just happens to have been built by my great-great-great-great-grandfather, William Green Dudley! And his daughter, my great-great-great-grandmother Mary Catherine “Kit” Dudley Hutchinson, was it’s first teacher.
The always awe-inspiring Reeves engine was on hand again for the plowing demonstration. I wrote about this engine a few years ago in this post. Lately some people intimately familiar with this giant engine have left some great comments on that post. It’s worth going back for a read!
Here are some other engines that could be found at the show. I know nothing about them, but they’re still fun to see!
And my favorite picture of the day…
This is an annual event, so if you get the chance come and check it out one of these years!
3 years ago:
1 year ago:
I’m very excited because our steam-powered show is this weekend. I hope the steam shovel is there again this year. It’s like acres and acres of fire-breathing dragons!!- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
I always loved seeing the steam engines at a neighboring county fair (the one where I grew up showing) and that was the highlight of fair, until they banned them because 1 blew up when it ran out of water. I still enjoy seeing them though – thanks for some great pics.Kris