R3 Valley Center, Kansas 67147
The excitement was high as Jim Thomas of Graford, Texas
established the rules for the fast and slow model steam traction
engine races at Terning’s 13th annual Steam and Gas Engine Show
located in Valley Center, Kansas. Jim also went on to clarify that
the ‘big race’ was actually in Valley Center, Kansas over
weekend as some people had previously thought. He just wanted to
make sure that in 1991 everyone had the right weekend, because at
the 14th annual show there would be a reunion of not only the Case
models that have been built in Kansas since 1947, but a grand model
show of steam and gas engines of any size, shape, or model. As Jim
exclaimed, ‘that will be something to see.’
The rules for the fast race are fairly simple the first one over
the finish line is the winner. Seemed easy enough, and the winner
was easy enough to pick out as well. Joe Heath of Florence, Kansas
with his awesome Avery model won hands down. On Monday Joe elected
to stay out of the race to give someone else a chance! Thanks,
Joe!! Charlie Burkhardt of Wichita, Kansas won this fast race with
his model Case.
The slow race is where things get a bit more complicated. Jim
went on to explain’ your flywheel must keep moving and you must
be the LAST one across the finish line.’ Now this seemed simple
enough to the spectators, however, if you have ever operated a
steam traction engine you know full well it is not an easy
task.
Royce Chambers of Hugo, Co., goes up the Case wooden incline
with Tom Terning. This was Royce’s first time up; word has it
his knuckles were a bit white from hanging on.
Before the race began, Jim introduced the participants. They
were as follows (it is a bit difficult to make them out on the
photo, but believe me, they are in the line-up somewhere):
On his quarter scale Case was Bill Ward of Wichita. Chad Vogt of
Valley Center and Derick Williams of Wichita were operating a half
scale Case owned by Dick Burd of Canton, South Dakota. Charlie
Burkhardt was operating his Case model. Dave Sebits of Hesston,
Kansas on his half-scale Case. Bud Flowers of Litchfield, Minnesota
operated his half-scale Case model. Joe Heath of Florence, Kansas
was on his model Avery. Jim Hijek from Medford, Oklahoma operated
his half-scale Case. Sam Holmes of Valley Center operated a
half-scale Case owned by Mahlon Giffin of Sedgwick, Kansas. David
Carpenter from Paris, Texas operated his half-scale Case. The
‘new kid on the block’ was Mel Muhlhausen from Red Wing,
Minnesota. Mel had just completed his engine several days before
the show. This was quite evident because of all the buttons that
were seen popping off his shirt!! There were some very
‘seasoned’ engineers taking their place in this line-up.
However, in this case having a few gray hairs on your head did not
guarantee you a win. On the contrary, Chad Vogt and Sam Holmes were
the youngest engineers and they took the honors, Sam on Saturday
and Chad on Sunday. When Monday rolled around, both Chad and Sam
were so keyed up and concentrating so hard on their engines they
failed to notice that Mel Muhlhausen was concentrating even harder
and Mel came up being Monday’s winner. Everyone said they will
be sharpening up their skills for the 1991 show, so it will be up
for grabs.
See you all Labor Day weekend!
