Hi to all of you out across the nation wending you way to the
Steam Shows – if the money holds out to buy the gas – how about it?
At the rate we’re going, who knows, maybe we’ll go back to
steam cars???? Have fun though and as you travel from show to show
– just as the bees flit from flower to flower gathering honey, I
know you are gathering ‘sweets’ for the next year’s
memory box. What a precious blessing that our Creator gave us the
ability to remember -trouble is, we remember what we want to and
not always what we should – but you know what? -despite all the
problems facing the world today – I’m very optimistic and
eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming year – for with the
Bi-Centennial year now in progress – more than ever we are going
back into history and remembering the events that brought our
country this far – and I for one, still feel very lucky and proud
to live in this land. God Bless America! Enough flag waving for
this issue and onto the words from our Iron-Men Family
A news item comes from MR. AND MRS. HENRY E. BECKER, 37
Livingston Avenue, Roseland, New Jersey 07068 – ‘The
Centerville & Southwestern Railroad will be relocated and
running again under the auspices of the Mon-mouth County New Jersey
Park Commission. The C & S R R had operated for twenty-five
years on the former Becker Dairy Farm in Roseland, N.J. when closed
on September 4, 1972.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Becker, donors of the miniature railroad,
are pleased that it will be in good hands and nearby for many of
its former riders.’ (Thanks for the good news!)
TED LANDERS, New Life Farm, Drury, Missouri 65638 brings up a
point – ‘What are the problems associated with monotone
boilers? They seem like the best way to go from a cost standpoint,
but you never hear of anyone liking them. We don’t have a
boiler and are considering making a mono-tube. Are there are boiler
design books available?’ (I don’t know, do you?)
Here comes a letter with hopes of replies – LAURENCE GRAVES,
Route 1, Box 147, Suisun, California 94585 states: ‘I’m a
steam buff nut, way out and points West. In late 50s, the late Ray
Campbell loaned me a book listing 200? steam cars built and
disappeared from the road. All gone by 1925 when the last Stanleys
and Dobles ceased business. Why were they unsuccessful? They burned
too much fuel. The layman forgot them. Most used 6-800 lbs. steam
pressure. One car carried 1000 lbs. (psi). This should have made
them very efficient. It did not! Readers of the ALBUM recognize a
20-60 steamer has 60 HP on the belt (flywheel) and only 20 HP at
drawbar. What happened to the 40 HP difference? It was swallowed up
by friction in the plain gear bearings. The drive wheel bearings
carrying the weight of a heavy boiler have lots of drag. Gas
tractors are better off with expensive roller bearings. Even here a
60 HP loses half its horsepower and is rated only 30 HP at
drawbar.
Firing up a double pancake flash coil in August 1974 and working
feed pump by hand, little force was required up to 100 psi. At 200
psi one feels the pressure. My pump is a brass plunger 5/8′ D X
1′ stroke. Packing is on end of plunger. It can easily hit 1000
psi at 6-800 psi I put extension on handle. Carried this psi for
one hour and twenty minutes. At these pressures, steam cars used
too much steam to run feed pump. So the car used too much fuel.
Driver could not sense this. 2% is the estimated steam consumption
for a feed pump. Allowing pump friction, I cannot see how 50 pounds
of steam can pump 3000 pounds water into a boiler at 150 psi.
Comment requested!’
ARCHIE L. LOETHER, 2319 NW 99th Street, Vancouver, Washington
98665 sends us this information: ‘After leafing through the
Iron-Men Album, I usually come back and read ‘Soot in the
Flues’, first. On page 8 of the May-June issue is a request for
information about Tiny Power Steam Model. I phoned Mrs. Arnold and
she told me Charles had died March 18. She is selling his power
tools first. He had sold his 2′ scale Case Model to Cole’s
power Models, Box 788, Ventura, California 93001 over two years
ago. I have his 2′ Case model. He made my boiler and I did the
rest – took nearly four years.
I do not know anything about the Denison Live Steam Models. The
Arnolds lived about one mile north west of Junction City,
Oregon.’
MERREL HAAKENSON, Dickey, North Dakota 58431 wrote and told us
that Tiny Power is now owned by Cole’s Power Models, Box 788,
Ventura, California 93001. Says he also sent a letter to Denison
and his letter came back. Merrel is a builder of steam engines and
has built two; one being a 1′ scale model Case 65 HP and the
other a 3′ scale model 30 HP Advance Rumely. (Thanks fellows,
for your interest in getting this news to us.)
WEBSTER L. MOONEY, Nortonville, Kansas 66060 writes: ‘Find
enclosed payments for both magazines. I have all issues up to now
and hope I can keep receiving them to have a complete file of both
publications. I’m a little late as in March of 1974 I had a
very severe stroke that left me with a totally useless left hand
and arm, also with no use of left leg and foot. I’m not able to
stand or walk alone and it’s doubtful if I ever will.’ (Now
Webster had requested I get the news to his friends through the
Soot in the Flues column -I’m sure he would like to hear from
his steam buddies – and we hope and pray he is coming along juch
better.)
MORRIS E. BOSTON, 30 Luton Road, Wilshamstead, Bedford, England
sends this writing to our I.M.A. Family – ‘I have recently been
in touch with the Curator of the Greenfield Village and Henry Ford
Museum of Michigan regarding a steam engine they have there which
was made in Bedford, England. He suggested I write to you regarding
any information you have on English made engines. I understand
there are a few in America.
Some of us got together and formed the Mid Bedfordshire
Agricultural Research Society. We are interested in the development
of all agricultural machinery through the ages, and as the first
mechanical power was steam – it seems a logical place to start.
I have seen a copy of your magazine, but it is rather difficult
to get hold of over here. We were very interested in your big
direct ploughing engine. We went in for the cable drawn ploughs
over here. There is a great interest in steam here. We have over
thirty traction engine clubs and there are around 2500 engines in
preservation. I am in contact with an engine club in Australia and
they have a lot of big portable engines which is different
again.’ (I think Morris would most enjoy hearing from his steam
pals on this side of the ocean – how about it?)
FRED H. KEMNA, R.R. 5, Danville, Illinois 61832 sends us a
complimentary note and a note of interest also as he pens us:
‘I have been taking the Iron-Men Album since 1947 and I think
it’s a real steam magazine. I read it from cover to cover and
get a real thrill from it. I have eleven steamers and six
separators. We thresh every year but I just advertise in the local
paper. We have a large crowd.
I owned the Aultman Taylor engine that was shipped to South
America in 1947 from Kinzers, Pennsylvania.’
Our 1975 Steam Directory was a step in the right direction as it
seemed to meet a need of the IMA and GEM families. It’s time
again to start getting the dates and information to us. Next year
we are offering space for advertising also -if you have already
advertised in the magazines – look for the announcement of the ad
rates for the 1976 Directory (they are different from the usual ad
rates) elsewhere in the magazine – I hope to hear from many of you
folks -you may still list your organization FREE – the ads offer is
something some of you want – when writing, please send us your
comments also -our ultimate aim is to please the readers.
Also, please don’t forget to get those recipes to me as you
know we are now working on the ‘Cook Book’ – it will take
awhile – also send along any little hints regarding cooking or
housekeeping you might think is interesting and if it is
appropriate for this type of book we’ll try and use them.
Plans are rolling along for the Auction at Earlene Ritzman’s
the end of September – I’m sure you’ve all noticed the ads
and comments by now-many folks are expected to attend this event
and as I mentioned before – I’ll be looking forward to seeing
many of you wonderful folks I know by name only – be sure and make
yourself acquainted – we’re a pretty friendly bunch of people
and our Sunday School Class will be making and serving the eats and
they are a great gang of girls (I didn’t say what age – girls
can be any age, can’t they??) See you at the food table!
Following is a very beautifully written letter by Rupert J.
Jordan, Route 2, Sycamore, Illinois 60178. I hope it will not
offend anyone – I, too, believe as Rupert and since I have the
privilege of writing my own column – I choose to use this letter
here and at this time.
‘MEMORIAL THOUGHTS’
After eighteen years we do look back to the memory of many dear
friends, both men and women, who have passed on. This last winter
has been most unusual. In just a few weeks we lost three fine men,
all loyal workers. So, in the midst of our eighteenth birthday
celebration we pause to think of and honor the following: our
president, Maurice Grimwood, a director, Charles Schram and a
charter member, Clarence Rote. We should also note a one-time
member and past vice president Leonard Smith who passed away Easter
Sunday afternoon. We too think of a past director Glenn Fisher who
died last summer. These were all hard workers for our club and good
personal friends of mine, and I remember them all with equal
affection.
A person wrote in to the editor of a church magazine that I
take. He was complaining that a minister had recently in a public
meeting used the name of Jesus in his public prayer. The writer
felt that it was unkind to those present of another religion than
Christianity, that it was in poor taste and disregarded the
personal feelings and loyalties of a number of people.
It may well be that there are some here tonight of a different
religion. I feel that our Heavenly Father makes use of the good
that is in all religions. That He uses for his purposes all
religions that try to help human beings to live together in better
ways.
However, these men whom we honor tonight were all Christian
gentlemen of the highest caliber, and I feel compelled to speak on
their passing from the Christian point of view.
In so doing I intend no disrespect for any other faith
represented here and hope I will offend no one by what I say. I do
respect anyone’s freedom to disagree with my philosophy.
It is said the three greatest questions asked in the Bible are:
(1) Am I my brother’s keeper? (2) If a man dies, will he live
again? (3) What shall I do with this man Jesus?
The first question has surely been answered in the affirmative
by these friends of ours. By their loyalty to this club, and their
work, not only here but in their local churches, and in all
projects in their respective communities, they have shown concern
for their human brothers. They have shown us by their efforts that
they thought their fellow beings worthy of their best efforts. And
they did give us their best.
We have just finished the celebration of Easter with all its
beautiful music and traditions. We have again heard the message to
people everywhere of the ongoing of life. It surely deals with the
second question.
In riding around the country we often see billboards and signs
saying, ‘Christ died for your sins.’ The sins of jealousy
by the priests, the malice of the money changers and the fickle
loyalty of the crowds were the immediate cause of the crucifixtion.
These sins and many others are all around us today.
These billboards leave me always a little disappointed. They
leave out such an important part, for I wish they would add,
‘and rose again!’ Many great persons have died and been
forgotten. The Roman army nailed two thousand men to crosses in one
day following a rebellion. None of these left the impact of what
happened on Resurrection Morning.
The Bible tells us that Christ put down the last mortal enemy of
man death. As one great piece of Easter Music puts it, ‘Because
He lives, I too shall live!’ We have many times at funerals
heard the words, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory!’
Jesus is a fact. It is recorded in ancient Roman court records,
that in a distant small province of Palestine this man was brought
to a hearing and later executed by crucifixtion.
The Bible records that after that he was seen, not by just a
chosen few, but by hundreds and hundreds of people, and in many
places, too. I accept these facts and base my faith on them, and my
hope that this earthly life is just the beginning.
We can all have this certainty that death is not defeat but
rather entrance into a new quality of life. Some skeptics say it is
just imagination. How could Jesus appear to these disciples through
a solid wall with the door locked and barred. The doubters say this
is a miracle and we do not believe in miracles. Yet, every night we
sit in our homes with locked doors and drapes pulled and see all
kinds of persons on T.V. We live in an age of seeming miracles of
which the half is not yet known.
In preparing this evening’s program I had a big problem.
That is in a group of all ages could I speak in a way that would be
understood by our young people. My own ideas and feelings about
death have changed so much since I was a boy. Is there too big a
generation gap for me to say anything meaningful to our boys and
girls?
I think not for most have had some experience of losing someone.
They recall a grandparent, or a cousin, or teacher, or aunt or
uncle, or even someone of their own age, perhaps by auto accident
or some other common misfortune. We parents mistakenly try to
shield them from awareness of the fact of death. I think when they
ask questions we should give them honest answers. Our children are
tougher than we give them credit for being sometimes.
First we should say to them and at the same time admit to
ourselves that death is just as much a part of life as is birth.
People often say ‘Why did that person have to die?’ Not so
often do we say, ‘Why was that one born?’ For we
unconsciously recognize that birth is a common fact of life. We
smile when little Topsy said, ‘Please missus, I wasn’t born
– I just grew,’ for we know better.
Someone has whimsically said the only sure things in life are
death and taxes; but we put out of our minds that death is a
natural part of life. We look at it too many times as the ultimate
defeat of everything.
The Bible plainly tells us that it is but a step to a more
wonderful quality of life. It says, ‘The eye has not seen nor
the ear heard the glories that have been prepared for us.’ Our
Indian friends have caught a glimpse of the truth when they speak
of a ‘Happy Hunting Ground.’
In other words a place where useful and pleasant things are
going on. A place where the limitations and frustrations of this
world are exchanged for a new and superior quality of life.
And there is a place where all this is going to happen. Jesus,
who devoted his life to truth said, ‘I go to prepare a place
for you, if it were not so I would have told you.’ I believe
that and I count on it. These we honor tonight believed it and
counted on it.
St. Paul said if this is not true, if Christ does not live then
we of all men are most miserable. But as Christians we do have this
certainty. The Rev. Elmer Ritzman, editor at the founding of our
hobby magazine, stated at the end of his first wife’s obituary,
‘Her life goes on!’ and millions of people everywhere
believe this of their loved ones.
An interesting study has recently been revealed by some
psychologists. They questioned people who had been declared dead
but revived by modern medical procedures. Every such person
described the feeling of joy, freedom, happiness and sense of peace
they felt. Most of them expressed regret at having been brought
back to this life.
Ours is a family type of club where men, women, boys and girls
all work together to make it a success. This is a wonderful way to
operate, for soon now we will have the third generation of young
ones coming on as we older ones step out of the picture. Our club
here and life itself are constantly being renewed in this
manner.
A few years ago I stood by the outlet of Lake It ask a and saw a
small stream of water trickling out through the reeds. I could jump
across it there, but a few weeks later it has journeyed on to
become the mighty Mississippi River. It eventually finds its way
and passes into the great salty sea. Here its life is changed to
the conditions of the great ocean.
Just as the river, these dear friends have passed out into the
great beyond. We too in a natural sequence will follow them to
greater opportunities, qualities and joyful living. This is all
part of the great river of life, that includes the here and now as
well as eternity and is a natural part of our whole life
system.
The Bible says we only understand a little of this now for we
see through a glass darkly. But in the new dimension all these
limitations are removed. Then the good book tells us we shall see
God and know Him as He is. Looked at it this way, those we honor
tonight have not been defeated but are the real victors.
One of my favorite poems closes with two short lines that have
been in my mind a long time. I leave them with you to think about.
It says, ‘Come along grow old with me, the Best is yet to
be!’
By Rupert Jordan This memorial address given at 18th annual
meeting of Northern Illinois Steam Power Club at Sycamore, April 5,
1975. Followed by a soprano solo ‘I cannot always trace the
way, but I can always say that God is love.’ sung by Miss Ethel
Miller piano ace. Mrs. Helen Dean flute by Rupert Jordan
Bye for now and God Bless each and every one of you!
Steamcerely, Anna Mae
This is our two cylinder stationary steam engine. We have no
idea of the make or what it may have been used for. The person that
we got it from didn’t know that it was a steam engine. It was
in a pile of junk when we got it. It has a reverse on it. If anyone
can tell us the make and what it was used for we would appreciate
it very much. Owned and restored by Russell & Wally Orth.
Courtesy of Wally Orth, Box 97, Burgessville, Ontario, Canada.
