Hi — Dear ones of I.M.A. Family –hope the year is being good
to you and you are being good to everyone — I suppose you are very
busy either getting ready for the upcoming shows or basking in the
memories of the past year’s get-together.
Before I get on to the letters I have an Aesop story to pass on
to you — maybe some of you do not care for these items — if so,
just skip over these next few paragraphs — I know some of you like
these little tidbits– because you have written me that you do —
This one is called Buried Treasure: A farmer on his deathbed
summoned his four sons and told them that he was leaving his farm
to them in four equal parts. ‘I have very little ready cash,
but you will find the greater part of my wealth is buried somewhere
in the ground, about a foot and a half from the surface. I have
forgotten precisely where.’ Then he died.
The four sons set to work on the fields and dug up every inch of
them, searching for the treasure the father had buried. They found
nothing. But they decided that so long as they dug up all the
ground, they might as well sow a crop and reap a good harvest.
That autumn, after an abundant harvest, the four boys again
began digging in search of the buried treasure; as a consequence
their farm was turned over more thoroughly than any other farm in
the area. And of course again they reaped a fine harvest. After
they had repeated this procedure for several more years, the four
sons finally realized what their father had meant when he told them
that his wealth was buried in the ground. (From Wellsprings of
Wisdom by Ralph L. Woods.)
Now on to the letters and comments:
DENNIS GILBERTS, 17 South 1st Street, Apt. 1605, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55401: ‘I work for Northern States Power Company here
in Minneapolis and I would like to report to your readers that
steam is still alive and well and living in your utility’s
power plants. For example, over 90% of the electricity we produce
at NSP is generated by steam. About half of that comes from coal
burning boilers and the other half from the heat produced by
splitting uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor. Some of the old
timers might have liked to thresh grain with power like this. Two
of our turbines operate with 2400 psi at the throttle, a steam
temperature of 1000 degrees and each develops 950,000 horsepower.
Another operates at 3600 psi. They have quite an appetite for fuel
as you might expect — our annual bill comes to about
$100,000,000.
Recently we retired the units built in the 1915-1920 period.
These units were equipped with reciprocating engine driven
condenser air removal pumps. There are two of these machines. They
operate at 225 psi. One is 23′ long, has Corliss valves, a
9′ flywheel and weighs about 20 tons. The other is 27′
long, non-releasing valve gear, a 10′ flywheel and also weighs
about 20 tons. They were built by Worthington Company.
These are quite rare items and are in good condition and we
would like to see them preserved as a complete steam engine pump
unit. We would like to donate them to any non-profit steam museum
or club that would like one for their collection. They have been
dismantled and are in storage. If anyone has an interest in these
machines, they should direct the inquiries to D.M. Youngdahl, plant
manager, Riverside Steam Plant, 3100 Marshall Avenue, N.E.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55418.
I have been a steam hobbyist and reader of your magazine for
many years. My father, Conrad Gilberts, of Sand Creek, Wisconsin,
and I have built two model steam engines. The first was a free
lance traction engine in about 1/3 scale and the other is a 12′
gauge 10 wheeler railroad locomotive. (Send us a picture and story,
Dennis.) We have enjoyed your articles very much and find the
I.M.A. an excellent reference for our hobby. Keep up the good
work.’
LEROY FETT, Harrisburg, South Dakota 57032 writes: ‘I was
surprised to see picture #4 in the November-December 1978 issue as
one I sent in many years ago. The little girl on the model engine
is now a Junior in high school. I built this model from scrap
starting in 1959.
I enjoy reading the Iron-Men Album and keep up the good
work.’
JAMES L. ROPER, 35-12th Street, N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901
sends along an interesting letter: ‘I became interested in
steam traction engines almost 20 years ago when my oldest sister,
Judy, married Ed Maus of Minnesota City, Minnesota. His family owns
a 26 HP tandum compound advance steam engine. The Maus family
bought the engine about 1915 and it has been in use ever since.
As far as I know there was only three years that this engine was
not under steam, but the steam bug got the best of the family and
the engine was again put under steam and has been ever since. (Two
days a year for threshing.) This year the engine made its first
trip off the farm since it was bought. Ed took the engine to
Mable-Hesper Steam Engine Show last Fall. The Maus family also has
a very early 1900 wooden separator and a wooden clover huller; both
machines are in good working condition.
I have been to a few steam shows that were not too far from
Rochester. One show I really liked to get to as I can get an old
gas tractor to drive around.
This George White 25 HP was bought new by my father, Lyman
Mitchell, July 20, 1926 and was always operated by sons, Leo,
Charlie, and Kerr. It is now operated by Charlie Mitchell, last
son, and will remain in the family by only nephew, William
Chamberlain. It was used for threshing, saw mill and steaming
tobacco greenhouses. It is now being shows at several shows.
Courtesy of Charlie Mitchell, Clear Creek, Ontario, Canada.
I also have a great interest in steam R.R. locomotives. I have a
few books and have talked to a few retired railroad engineers. When
I asked them which they liked better, steam or diesel–the answer
was always steam.
I recall when I was in grade school in St. Charles, Minnesota,
at noon hour, I would go down to the Chicago Great Western R.R.
Station and if the fireman or engineer was in the cab of the engine
I would climb aboard. I think I will always remember those days.
Steam is gone from the farms and railroads as a whole, but thank
God for those men and women who have and are working to keep a part
of the steam power going.
I wish to thank the persons who put out the I.M.A. for the fine
job you are doing.’
FRANK HAMATA, 1021 F Street, Schuyler, Nebraska 68661 has some
information on the unclassified photos: ‘No. 3 on page 33 of
Jan.-Feb. 1979 I.M.A. The little fellow in the middle of the
quintet has to be LeRoy Blaker of Alvordton, Ohio. No. 4 was taken
at the Mount Pleasant, Iowa Show. (Big Bill Sater is adjusting the
prony brake. This photo was probably taken about 1959 or
1960.’)
Another letter on the unclassified photos comes from MELVIN R.
GRENVIK, 115-1st Avenue N.E., Kenmare, North Dakota 58746: ‘As
you have been able to tell by my previous letter, I make a game of
identifying the various steam engines in the unclassified photo
section and elsewhere. Regarding the engines in Jan.-Feb. issue, I
read them as follows: #1 Front engine make is
obvious, but the one in the rear is also definitely Peerless.
#2, I cannot pin this one down, but it has
features to suggest a very early Geiser Peerless.
#3 is an Advance, probably 25 to 30 horsepower.
#4 is an Advance Rumely, very likely 25 HP.
Incidentally, in articles in I.M.A. and elsewhere, I
occasionally see reference to the 22 ton 110 HP Case. Maybe this is
nitpicking, but to set the record straight according to my Case
catalogs, the 110 HP Case does not weigh anywhere near 22 tons. My
1913 Case catalog lists the regularly equipped 110 with boiler
empty at 34, 256 pounds.
I sincerely commend you on the continuing high quality of our
magazine. I hope to forward a letter soon on a subject of great
importance to all model engine hobbyists which I hope you will be
able to print.’ (Send it along Melvin and we’ll certainly
try and see it is printed.)
Another discussion on unclassified photos comes from DAVID L.
HARMS, 205 Leonard, Chillicothe, Illinois 61523: ‘Some friends
and I have been discussing the photo on the bottom of page 30,
Sept. Oct. 1978 issue and have come to the conclusion that it was
taken at Pontiac, Illinois in the middle or late 1950s. The first
engine is a 12 HP Russell owned by Leonard Kinsinger formerly of
Carlock, Illinois. He is pulling an old Canton Monitor portable.
The engine behind his is a 65 HP Case owned by Wilbur Collins of
Pontiac. The man far down the engine line with his left side to the
camera is Fred Hassler of Tonica, Illinois. I don’t know the
man with his back to the camera.
I think Ray Jones of Batesville, Indiana has incorrectly
identified this picture in his letter published in the Nov.-Dec.
1978 issue. Russell put the engine number on a round casting on the
front of the smoke box. If you look at the number closely on the
front of the engine in the photo you’ll see it is not 13360. I
am certainly open to comments on my identification.’ (Now just
friendly, constructive criticism fellows, we don’t want any
battles.)
The next communication is from M.B. (MILT) LANG, 1743 Oconto,
Wabeno, Wisconsin 54566: ‘I was surprised when I read Walt
Thayer’s letter in the January-February issue of the I.M.A.
describing the unclassified photos in the November-December 1978
issue, when he stated quote ‘Looks very much like a Steam
Skidder or Log Hauler mounted on rubber tires.’
It certainly is a different type of log hauler than was used in
this part of the United States, or the Eastern part either.
If you wish you may print the enclosed photograph taken from the
13th Annual Logging Exposition program held here in Wabeno.
Incidentally, I am a retired 82 year old, living my life’s
desire, but never was, to be a mechanic, by having a complete
machine shop in my basement and by building a ? scale Case engine
last year and working on a ? scale Belle City thresher from
scratch. I have several small steam engines I designed and
built.
A letter from G. E. SHELMAN, Union Star, Kentucky 40171:
‘Please accept my thanks for publishing my pictures and life
history in the September-October issue of Iron-Men Album (1978). It
is a great honor to have it published — I have gotten letters from
foreign places.
My pet deer, Maybelle is still with me. She was 6 years old last
May and as gentle as a kitten.
Again I certainly do appreciate you folks taking the time to
bestow the honor of printing my story. The specific issue was
delivered in our territory a few days before the Rushville, Indiana
reunion, which I attend each year and so many folks complimented me
on the set up and good work.
Wanting to set things straight — a letter comes from CHARLEY
STARK, Route 2, Box 167A, Republic, Missouri 65738: ‘In the
Nov.-Dec. 1978 issue of the I.M.A. regarding the Ozark writeup —
it was listed as being written by myself. This article was written
by Bernard Hines of Merrillville, Indiana. I only mailed it. I
thought that it might be good to mention this in your column so
that Bernie gets the credit that he deserves. (No sooner
written–then done.)
Next communication comes from LARMIE DAVIS, Route 2, Box 3, St.
John, Washington 99171: ‘I have recently acquired a Rumely
Advance for refurbishing. The metal identification tag is missing
and I have no idea of the horsepower. The driver wheels are seven
foot by three foot and the machine weighs about 12 tons.
I need detailed pictures of at least the four different views in
order to build the platform and water tank. Also would like to see
color decal for pinstriping. I would appreciate being directed to
back issues of Iron-Men Album or reference books or other
reader’s information.
At the same time I am restoring a Fairbanks-Morse stationary
engine of approximately 14 HP that comes with an iron frame and
wheeled wagon. Would you know the color detail?
Enclosed find two pictures of the Advance for further
identification.’
Another correction comes from FRED FOX, 233 County House Road,
Clarksboro, New Jersey 08020: ‘In my R&T Report. I believe
I stated that Hermes invented the first steam turbine. I made a
mistake. It was HERO of Alexandria in 150 B.C.
Enclosed find picture of my latest model. It is a 1? scale,
7?’ gauge 4-6-2 British Flying Scotsman. Picture taken in my
backyard.’
HARRY H. ROBERTS, Hazelton, Kansas 67061 needs some help:
‘Isn’t it amazing who one will turn to when hunting
something? Others do – why not me?? There were records cut by
Fahnestock Studios of Union City, Indiana. The records are not for
stereo and are also badly worn. I would like to contact the man who
made them in hopes I can get them in stereo. (Joe’s last
address I have is Joe Fahnestock, 1819 LeFevre Road, Troy, Ohio
45373 — perhaps he could help you — I don’t know if he makes
records any more or not.)
I also have two records of steam locomotives that were made by
Ralbar Productions, Box 212, Pottstown, Pennsylvania — that is the
address I have, but I am unable to contact them also. (Sorry Harry,
I don’t know anything about them — maybe a reader can help
you.)
I might add, I have taken the I.M.A. since 1954 — I believe
satisfied readers are the best renewers.’
Some information is desired by MARY CHAPPELLE, P.O. Box 193,
Angels Camp, California 95222: ‘We have several engines here in
the Angels Camp Museum, one of Old Best — not in running
condition. She was in Death Valley, made by the Borax people in San
Leandro, later was purchased by the Maneul Lumber Company of Avery
for hauling lumber and logs. Would you happen to know the year this
engine was built? Also what number she was? We painted her two
years ago and when the men were working on the blasting to remove
the old paint and rust, they never did find a number. The one in
the Museum in Oakland is #185. Would appreciate any
information.’ (If you can help, please write to Mary.)
LYNN MORTENSON, 2417 Freeman Road E., Puyallup, Washington 93371
needs some help on identification: ‘Enclosed arc pictures of a
Russell steam engine, serial number 10002 compound and a Case
thresher machine. I am not quite sure of the year. Could you
possibly tell me the year of the model and what possible demand
there is on the selling market? (Sorry, I cannot tell you that —
perhaps if you ran an ad in the WANT AD section of our magazine,
someone may be able to help. You’ll probably get an answer on
the year of the model from our readers.)
Well that’s about it for this time — so keep working on
your engines — thinking ahead to the shows coming up this year —
and remember this little thought: ‘What counts is not the
number of hours you put in, but how much you put in the
hours.’
