The Steam-Driven Rustmobile

By Bill Vossler
Published on May 1, 2013
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Known as the Rustmobile or Mad Hatter, this conveyance is a combination of parts from various machines, built by Russ Magnuson.
Known as the Rustmobile or Mad Hatter, this conveyance is a combination of parts from various machines, built by Russ Magnuson.
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The C.H. Dutton boiler, complete with hand-shaker grates, whistle and water siphon.
The C.H. Dutton boiler, complete with hand-shaker grates, whistle and water siphon.
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Gene Zopfi (center) with his mentors several years ago. Gene Rogerman (left) built the scale model Case steam engine; Russ Magnuson is shown at right. Both Gene Roggerman and Russ are since deceased.
Gene Zopfi (center) with his mentors several years ago. Gene Rogerman (left) built the scale model Case steam engine; Russ Magnuson is shown at right. Both Gene Roggerman and Russ are since deceased.
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Gene Zopfi with his Minneapolis-Moline 445 diesel. Gene's collection of about 35 pieces of old iron includes a 1925 Minneapolis cross-mount tractor, a 21-32 Twin City (as well as a J and KT-A) and this tractor,
Gene Zopfi with his Minneapolis-Moline 445 diesel. Gene's collection of about 35 pieces of old iron includes a 1925 Minneapolis cross-mount tractor, a 21-32 Twin City (as well as a J and KT-A) and this tractor, "kind of a rarity," he says.
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The Little Giant is powered by the red manual transmission (at right), then the Rockford twin-disc clutch (the round gray object at center, with the chain going down to a jackshaft) to power the machine.
The Little Giant is powered by the red manual transmission (at right), then the Rockford twin-disc clutch (the round gray object at center, with the chain going down to a jackshaft) to power the machine.
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The Mad Hatter's piston came from a reciprocating steam engine in an Elk River, Minn., creamery.
The Mad Hatter's piston came from a reciprocating steam engine in an Elk River, Minn., creamery.
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The steam engine's main governor.
The steam engine's main governor.
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Ashes are removed through a door cast with the boiler manufacturer's name: C.H. Dutton Co. Kalamazoo, Mich.
Ashes are removed through a door cast with the boiler manufacturer's name: C.H. Dutton Co. Kalamazoo, Mich.
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Gene's 1924 24 hp Case steam engine (serieal no. 8692). The engine was used to run a sawmill in Swiss Falls, Minn., for several years before it went to Rollag, where Gerald ;'Doc
Gene's 1924 24 hp Case steam engine (serieal no. 8692). The engine was used to run a sawmill in Swiss Falls, Minn., for several years before it went to Rollag, where Gerald ;'Doc" Parker ran it for quite some time.
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The steering wheel was salvaged from a Model T.
The steering wheel was salvaged from a Model T.
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The box with the copper tubing is the governor; it taps into the main steam line, which will carry oil to the steam valve and piston.
The box with the copper tubing is the governor; it taps into the main steam line, which will carry oil to the steam valve and piston.
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The Little Giant's name and serial number show on the plate covering the opening where wood is added.
The Little Giant's name and serial number show on the plate covering the opening where wood is added.
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The Little Giant is capped off by a whistle. Beneath it, an array of pipes and valves route steam through the throttle valve to the governor to the engine.
The Little Giant is capped off by a whistle. Beneath it, an array of pipes and valves route steam through the throttle valve to the governor to the engine.

Gene Zopfi learned to love
old steam engines by example. “My dad and grandpa were farmers, and they had some
antique steam engines and tractors,” Gene recalls. “When their Anoka
(Minn.) club joined with guys at Rogers, Minn.,
they brought in a bunch of steam engines. I was young at the time, but I kind
of liked the steam, so I started helping the older guys hauling wood, water and

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