Steam Schools
LISTINGS FOR 2009
By Farm Collector staff
February 2009
Steam traction engines claim not only a hefty
physical presence but also a vast legacy in agricultural
history-increasing productivity and paving the way for farming
today. But as gasoline tractors began their climb to dominance,
steam slid slowly into obscurity. With it also went most of the
knowledge and experience required to master such a beast of a
machine. However, several organizations across the country work to
retain that portion of history - by holding yearly steam schools.
Check out these listings to find a steam school near you in
2009.
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APRIL
12th Annual Somerset Steam School
Somerset Steam and Gas Engine Assn.
Somerset, Va.
April 18-19
Tuition: $75
Fairfield View Dairy Farm. Registration is required, and tuition
includes all materials and two lunches.
For more information:
Bill Roberts
14375 Blue Ridge Turnpike
P.O. Box 492
Somerset, VA 22972
(540) 672-2495
e-mail: ssteamgea@gmail.com
www.somersetsteamandgas.org
Old Threshers Reunion Steam School
Midwest Old Threshers
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
April 25-26
Tuition: $50
Registration is required. Tuition includes materials and two
noon meals. The course stresses classroom and hands-on experience.
The first day consists of class work with slides, videos and
discussions, while the second day is hands-on operation.
For more information:
Terry McWilliams
Public Relations and Marketing
405 E. Threshers Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 385-8937
e-mail: info@oldthreshers.org
www.oldthreshers.com
MAY
Rough & Tumble Steam School - FULL
Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Assn.
Kinzers, Pa.
May 16 and May 30
Tuition: $60
Enrollment is limited to Rough & Tumble members and the
first 22 applicants. Tuition includes all materials. The course
emphasizes safety, maintenance, operation and hands-on
experience.
Classroom time is half of the first day, with remaining time
dedicated to practical hands-on experience, including cleaning,
inspection, maintenance and operation. Students will be introduced
to operating railroad engines and a steamroller.
For more information:
John Johnson
(717) 442-4249
e-mail: steamschool@comcast.net
www.roughandtumble.org
9th Annual Steam School
Central States Threshermen
Pontiac, Ill.
May 16-17
Tuition: $40
Threshermen's Park, two miles north of Interstate 55 on Route
23. Registration required and limited to 50. Classes begin at 8
a.m.
For more information:
David Schott
620 S. Vermillion St.
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-3129
e-mail: dj2shot@mchsi.com
www.threshermensreunion.org
9th Annual Steam School
Heritage Park of North Iowa
Forest City, Iowa
May 16-17
Tuition: $25
This is a beginner's class. Tuition covers the cost of lunches
and handouts for both days. Class emphasis is on types of boilers,
basic boiler operation, safety devices, proper boiler start-up and
shut-down procedures, use of injectors and pumps, forced draft
injection, firing a boiler under load, holding constant steam
pressure, and how to handle emergency situations.
Steam engine topics include basic operation of the steam engine,
starting and stopping the engine, how the valve gear and steam
engine governor work, and how to lubricate the engine and
drivetrain. Under an instructor's supervision, students will
steam-up and have the opportunity to operate several steam traction
engines.
At the conclusion of the class, interested students may take an
exam modeled on the Minnesota hobby engineer test.
The Heritage Park website has registration information and the
most up-to-date and complete information concerning the class.
For more information:
Jerred Ruble, Director of Shows
Heritage Park of North Iowa
754 342nd St.
Hanlontown, IA 50444
(641) 797-2697
e-mail: ruble@wctatel.net
www.heritageparkofnorthiowa.com