Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa: A Steam Engine Line-Up

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Saturday morning steam engine preparation at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Saturday morning steam engine preparation at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
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Another view of the 1908 Colean 30 HP, no. 436, steam engine owned by Larry Nelson of Muscatine, Iowa. The Colean is one of only five known to exist.
Another view of the 1908 Colean 30 HP, no. 436, steam engine owned by Larry Nelson of Muscatine, Iowa. The Colean is one of only five known to exist.
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A 1908 Colean 30 HP, no. 436, steam engine owned by Larry Nelson, Muscatine, Iowa, makes an appearance at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
A 1908 Colean 30 HP, no. 436, steam engine owned by Larry Nelson, Muscatine, Iowa, makes an appearance at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
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An 1889 Russell 6 HP steam engine, owned by Steve Perrenoud, Farley, Iowa, was on display at the 2006 Midwest Old Thresher Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  
An 1889 Russell 6 HP steam engine, owned by Steve Perrenoud, Farley, Iowa, was on display at the 2006 Midwest Old Thresher Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  
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Matt Birky, of Solon, Iowa, was running this 1915 Woods Bros. 20 HP steam engine on the Baker fan at the 2006 Midwest Old Thresher Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
Matt Birky, of Solon, Iowa, was running this 1915 Woods Bros. 20 HP steam engine on the Baker fan at the 2006 Midwest Old Thresher Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
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Cole, 7 (left), and Cassey, 4, sons of Steve Perrenoud, of Farley, Iowa, enjoy cleaning the flues of their father's 1889 Russell 6 HP steam engine at the 2006 Midwest Old Thresher Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
Cole, 7 (left), and Cassey, 4, sons of Steve Perrenoud, of Farley, Iowa, enjoy cleaning the flues of their father's 1889 Russell 6 HP steam engine at the 2006 Midwest Old Thresher Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
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Matt Birky, Solon, Iowa, operating a 1915 Woods Bros. 20 HP steam engine owned by Mel and Judy Kerr, Macomb, Ill., at the 2006 Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
Matt Birky, Solon, Iowa, operating a 1915 Woods Bros. 20 HP steam engine owned by Mel and Judy Kerr, Macomb, Ill., at the 2006 Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. 
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While cleaning the flue of an 1889 Russell 6 HP, the Perrnoud boys were all smiles.
While cleaning the flue of an 1889 Russell 6 HP, the Perrnoud boys were all smiles.
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A 1914 Harrison 20 HP steam engine, no. 2165, owned by LeRoy McClure, Colchester, Ill., joined the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. This Harrison is the only known Jumbo.
A 1914 Harrison 20 HP steam engine, no. 2165, owned by LeRoy McClure, Colchester, Ill., joined the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. This Harrison is the only known Jumbo.
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A New Huber steam engine owned by LeRoy McClure (left), receives some fine-tuning by LeRoy and his friends during the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
A New Huber steam engine owned by LeRoy McClure (left), receives some fine-tuning by LeRoy and his friends during the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
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The New Huber 30 HP steam engine, built in 1910, no. 9309, is the only known double-cylinder engine.
The New Huber 30 HP steam engine, built in 1910, no. 9309, is the only known double-cylinder engine.

You could never get tired of hearing about the Mt. Pleasant (Iowa) Midwest Old Threshers Reunion and its steam engines. A place where people come not only to see the best in antique machinery, but also to reunite with old friends, the reunion is an experience that can only be described as going back in time to the good old farm days.

The 2006 show was my second year at Mt. Pleasant. Coming from a farm background, I long for those good old farm days: Life just seemed so much better on the farm. I don’t know how to explain it, but once you have farming blood in your veins it never leaves.

As for the people at the show, they are great – from the volunteers, to the exhibitors, to the spectators. It’s like a farm family. Everyone is helpful, friendly and happy.

This year I made an effort to snap some photos of the steam engines. When I was growing up we never owned a steam engine. My dad and grandpa went from horse-drawn implements to gas tractors. I can remember the old wagons in my grandpa’s barn to this day, and I can just imagine what they would have done with a monstrous steam engine.

In review of the reunion, lets start with Larry Nelson, Muscatine, Iowa. He is the proud owner of a 1908 Colean 30 HP, no. 436, steam engine. He actually owns three of the five Coleans known to exist. Larry’s other two Coleans are an 18 HP and a 25 HP. Kent Graham, Bennett, Iowa, was operating the Colean during the 2006 Old Threshers Reunion. Kent began his steam career in 1968 when he started attending shows with his parents. He has two daughters who are seriously involved with steam engines. He noted one daughter is 14 years old, which he thinks is great, since he owns three steam engines himself.

Matt Birky, Solon, Iowa, has been operating steam engines for 20 years. He had the honor of operating Mel and Judy Kerr’s 1915 Woods Bros. 20 HP engine for the second time.

An 1889 Russell 6 HP kept 7-year-old Cole and 4-year-old Cassey Perrenoud, Farley, Iowa, pretty busy during the show. Dad, Steve, stood back and coached the boys while they worked on their Russell. The boys know it’s dirty work, but someone’s got to do it! Keep up the good work, boys.

Owned by LeRoy McClure, Colchester, Ill., a 1910 New Huber 30 HP, no. 9309, and a 1914 Harrison 20 HP, no. 2165, were a rare breed. The New Huber is the only known double-cylinder and the Harrison is the only known Jumbo. LeRoy is one of those dedicated people; he’s been attending since 1953.

There are so many more steam engines to be seen at Mt. Pleasant: This glimpse into the past must really be seen to be believed, and you can experience it over the next Labor Day weekend.

  • Published on Mar 29, 2010
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