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The obscurity of these old, lumbering steam engines is, in fact, what Craig loves most about them. He goes to what he calls 'boneyards,' which are junkyards for old iron, in search of steam engines to restore. During World War II, many iron tractors and steam engines were scrapped for the war effort; today, a few remaining 'bones' sometimes still can be found in old junkyards.

'I also get some of my restorations from people getting out of the hobby and wanting to get rid of their old tractors,' Craig says. 'I'd say that doesn't happen as much. It's really about luck. For every one person getting out of the hobby, there are two people getting into it.'

Restoring a large steam engine from boneyard-to-show condition is not without its headaches. Craig says the amount of time and effort such a project requires is surprising. He worked 10-hour days and spent 700 total hours on the FFA project. The job was physically tedious, often requiring him to spend a lot of time in awkward positions.

'I spent 48 hours in the crown sheet fire box alone, welding it together,' Craig says. 'Your legs get stiff, you can't breathe even though there's a fan - and my girlfriend had to pull me out after I got stuck.'

Craig says if he had it to do over, he'd start earlier on the project: he spent 39 straight hours finishing it, and the work book, before the deadline.

Now, he's working on three new major restoration projects: an 1887 Gaar-Scott steam engine, an 1.885 Nichols & Shepard steam engine and a 20-35 Allis-Chalmers tractor. His advice for other young people interested in such a hobby is to find a knowledgeable mentor. 'It's like this old man that I saw at an old thresher's reunion. He was really old, maybe 90, with a beard,' Craig recalls. 'This guy had forgotten more about the hobby than we'll ever know in our whole lives. If we can learn from guys like this, we will pass on that knowledge, and it won't be lost after he's gone.'

For more information, contact Craig at Craig's Restoration and Repair, 1029 Vail Ave., Durant, IA 52747; (563)299-1808.

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