Each year, historical societies and clubs sponsor continuing education courses, but not of the modern fashion.
Instead, these programs focus on preserving a nearly lost art – steam engineering.
During the reign of steam, a properly trained engineer was indispensable. From basic functions to maintenance to safety, the competent operator knew when, how and what to do, often averting disaster with the correct actions, and a steam engineering course shares that knowledge with you. Here are nine schools scheduled for this year.
Pawnee Steam School
Highland Historical Society
March 27-28; Highland, Ill.; tuition, $40.
Held at Madison County Exposition Hall; tuition includes materials and two meals.
For more information:
Joe Graziana
(618) 558-7956
www.highlandilhistory.org
13th Annual Somerset Steam School
Somerset Steam & Gas Engine Assn.
April 17-18; Somerset, Va.; tuition: $75.
Held at Fairfield View Dairy Farm; focus on education, familiarization and safety in the operation and maintenance of steam engines and boilers. Tuition includes materials and two meals; registration required.
For more information:
Bill Roberts
14375 Blue Ridge Turnpike
Route 231
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
May 1-2; Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; tuition: $50.
Held on Midwest Old Threshers show grounds; classroom and hands-on experience. Tuition includes materials and two meals; registration required.
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
10th Annual Steam School
Central States Threshermen’s Reunion
May 15-16; Pontiac, Ill.; tuition: $40.
Held at Threshermen’s Park. Registration required; class size limited to 50.
For more information:
David Schott
620 S. Vermillion St.
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-3129
e-mail:dj2shot@mchsi.com
www.threshermensreunion.org
10th Annual Steam School
Heritage Park of North Iowa
May 15-16; Forest City, Iowa; tuition, $30.
Held at Heritage Park of North Iowa; tuition includes materials and two meals. Registration required; class size limited to 50.
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
Rough & Tumble Steam School
Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Assn.
May 15 and 22; Kinzers, Pa.; tuition: $75.
Held at Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Assn. grounds. Subjects include safety, maintenance and operation with hands-on experience; wide range of steam equipment, including traction engines, locomotives and a steamroller. Tuition includes materials. Must be a Rough & Tumble member or join prior to steam school. Registration required; class size limited to 27.
For more information:
John Johnson
(717) 442-4249
e-mail:steamschool@comcast.net
www.roughandtumble.org
Steam Engineering School
Williams Grove Historical Engine Assn.
June 5-6; Mechanicsburg, Pa.; tuition: $50 ($40 for members).
Held at Steam Engine Hill, Williams Grove Historical Engine Assn. grounds; tuition includes materials and two meals.
For more information:
Barry Peck
(717) 789-4421
— — —
Tony Thoman
651 Lynes Rd.
Dillsburg, PA 17019
(717) 432-0752
e-mail:knt2002@verison.net
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www.wghsea.org
Steam Traction Engineering Course
University of Rollag
June 19-20; Rollag, Minn.; tuition: $50.
Held at Steamer Hill; classroom instruction and hands-on experience; wide range of steam equipment, including stationary, traction, miniature and railroad engines. Tuition includes materials and two meals. Registration required; class size limited to 70.
For more information:
Tom Hall
University of Rollag
P.O. Box 999
Moorhead, MN 56561
(218) 233-1771
www.rollag.com
Steam School
Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Assn.
Sept. 24-26; Edgerton, Wis.; tuition: $50.
Held at Rock River Thresheree show grounds. Subjects include steam theory, boiler construction, safety, maintenance and operation with hands-on experience. Tuition includes materials and two meals. Registration required; class size limited to 50.
For more information:
Jeff Bloemers
Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Assn. Steam School
W. 4597 County Road F
Waldo, WI 53093
(920) 564-6292
e-mail:jbsteam@bytehead.com
Know of a steam school we missed? Let us know so we can include it next year! FC
Send the information to: Farm Collector, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609; FAX: (785) 274-4385; e-mail: editor@farmcollector.com.
