233 County House Road, Clarksboro, New Jersey 08020
One thing will go down in history, and that is the reunion being
the hottest one yet. The weather did not deter the folks who came
for we were blessed with many visitors and exhibitors. The official
opening stated 10 a.m. but folks were there before that. Machinery
was put in operation each day by 10:30 a.m. and by noon whistle our
grounds were full. Most people were from the surrounding states but
it is amazing how many travel great distances. I talked to one man
from Canada.
The emphasis this year was on the John Deere line and according
to the announcer, only one model was missing from the gathering.
The very latest stood there with its 8 huge rubber wheels, air
conditioned cab and all the comforts of home. Quite different from
riding an old G.P. with an icy north wind blowing down your neck.
Though I never drove a G.P. in such conditions, I did a 10-20
pulling a 2 furrow plough and also a German Bulldog Lanz. These
were single cylinder, diesel, with a hot bulb and 2 encased
flywheels on either side. To start, one put the blow torch under
the front, pulled off the steering wheel and stuck it in the end of
the crankshaft. Anyone ever heard of these machines? Perhaps one of
our Canadian friends might have, but I’m getting away from my
subject.
A nice remodelling job has been carried out at the front of the
main steam building. Were I asked to name it, I would call it the
‘Culinary Museum’, for it contains exhibits of all Grandma
and Great Grandma’s household machinery. This is something for
the ladies, for exhibited are wood burning kitchen ranges, hand
draulic washers, old flat irons and many relics of their hard
working life. To fire one of those cooking stoves must have been an
art in itself and they never had a fireman’s license.
The rear of this same steam building and its new extension have
also entailed much work, and bases have been poured for engines
that have just lain around. In time they will also look like the
big Watts and Campbell, but they will need much scraping and
scrubbing, and finally a coat of paint. The giant Snow pumping
engine will in time, also get completed, but it takes time. During
this last 24 years I have seen R. & T. grow from a tin shed on
a field to what it is today and it gives me a great feeling each
time I drive through the gate.
Another project we have going is the restoration of our
founder’s Avery traction engine. From what I can gather, not
much short of a new boiler will be needed and this no doubt will
cost several dollars. We have going ‘The Arthur S. Young
Restoration Fund’ with hopes that the organization can gather
enough in donations for this cause. During the reunion I exhibited
my 1 scale 4-6-2 Flying Scotsman and her 2 coaches alongside the
old Avery to attract attention. Unfortunately the picture I took
was not of printable quality.
Two band organs were exhibited again this year and they were Mr.
Burr’s Wurlitzer and Mr. Markey’s Bruder. I would guess the
Bruder to be of perhaps 65 keys though its. quite a large organ. It
plays very well and many people enjoyed its music. To set the
machine off, Mr. Markey has it mounted on the bed of a very early
vintage articulated Auto-car truck. This in itself is unique
without the organ. Dear Mrs. Mills was playing the Getz steam
calliope and also the bell instrument, well, that’s what I call
it, tho’ I’m sure it has a more professional name!
Little Toot was running well and stopped but little. One
passenger car did develop an undercarriage problem so the one car
was continually full. I said in my 1982 report that Toot should
have a caboose, so I built one and it kind of finishes off the
train and makes it look much more complete. The boys did, however,
have to put an old tractor weight inside it for it was rather on
the light side.
In the model building Bob Roberts and I had quite a carnival
going on for Bob brought along his American 2 in. scale
merry-go-round and ferris wheel. I had my English merry-go-round,
also in 2 in. scale, and my Burrell showman’s engine
‘Excalibur’. There were many other nice models also
exhibited and one was Dick McKee’s 2 in. traction engine. Mr.
Harold Clements takes charge of the proceedings in this division
and he ensures you space and a steam connection if you need one. As
of now, only metal tubing may be used to supply models, rubber
tubing being no longer allowed. It’s a good thing really for if
a hose blows off, one could get hit in the eye.
On the Friday morning all the steam units were lined up in a
semicircle and a panoramic picture was taken. On the Saturday
morning the gas tractors did the same, and I must say these
pictures are excellent. They are about 50 inches long and 10 inches
wide, they have beautiful color and are extremely sharp. The
photographer was a Mr. Chadwick from Buckeye, West Virginia. (No
connection with his Co. folks.)
I would like to inform the Directors that giving the patrons a
printed program along with their entrance ticket seemed very well
received. While driving around on the roller I saw many folks
consulting them as to the time of events and the locations of
machinery. I think these people directors, I mean did a job well
done and I’ll just mention a few: Otis Astle was going here and
there under his straw hat; Ray Herr left his shorts home, but Mr.
Estleman didn’t; Everet Young was the man in the green shirt
and Paul Stoltzfus riding a bike when he has so many steam engines?
Finally, Nevan, you got the information right on the roller. Just a
little humor here chaps Toot Toot till next time.
