Box 1404, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada TOH OCO
1909 120 HP Rumely. This engine is used to operate the
museum’s sawmill which uses a 48′ blade. Runs the mill with
little effort. Tony Lieverse is the engineer.
Now that fall has passed, crops are in and the steamers are
drained for another year. I thought it time to send in a report of
Pioneer Day 1997. This year the day was July 20, and I think it was
the warmest day we had last summer, with the temperature reaching
30 degrees C. Weather like that sure keeps the booths busy with
cold drinks. We had a very large crowd and everything went
extremely smooth. Our eighteen display buildings were full of
people and artifacts. Musical entertainment was supplied all day
and Circle bank Hall had a great variety of handicrafts for sale.
This coupled with a great show of machinery, cold drinks, and great
food kept the crowds well satisfied.
Our machinery events were run to perfection by the dozens of
volunteers. All operate three times a day, so this required a lot
of cooperation to keep events on time. The tractor parade is always
fun, and this year we had some new additions. A Farmall H was
proudly displayed by its owner just after receiving its
from-the-ground-up restoration. Arne even had a belt driven welder
attached to the side of the tractor in case he needs to do some
welding on something.
Also new this year was a David Brown row crop tractor. This
little fellow is a two cylinder air cooled diesel utilizing center
mount implements. It has been used by the Research Station for
about thirty years, but is still in perfect operating
condition.
Getting up steam in early morning. Left to right: 1912 75 HP
Gaar Scott; 1912 75 HP Case; 1914 30 HP Waterloo; 1914 82 HP Sawyer
Massey.
Another event which has become very popular with both the
operators and the visitors is our dyno demonstration. We use either
the steamers or gas tractors for this demo and it certainly does
make them work. After a few minutes on the dyno there are no ashes
in the smokebox of the steamers! A friendly ongoing dispute was
settled between the owners of a Case 500 and a Massey 555 as to
which one could produce the most power. This year the Case won, but
I’m sure the 555 will be tuned and back next year for another
season of fun. These two will probably keep the contest going for
years with one tractor or another.
We had a great addition to our steamer collection this year,
bringing our total operating traction engines to eight. Harry Laye
brought his 1924, 22 HP Advance Rumely steamer to be left at the
museum for display and use. It was used on the thresher and the
dyno this year as well as in the parade. It’s a great engine
and an easy steamer to operate.
Another nice addition this year was the display presented by Ed.
Carlson of two John Deere power units. They are belted to feed
grinders and are ready to operate at anytime. Many people were
unaware that John Deere made such a unit, so it was really nice to
present such a nice display. The log plane, shingle mills, sawmill,
planer and blacksmith were as popular as ever! As each event began
its demo, the crowds were thick.
As the day drew to a close and the steamers headed back into
their new storage/display building everyone headed for a cold
drink. Next year is going to be bigger and better than ever, with
new events already in the works.
If you would like any information about the South Peace
Centennial Museum please contact us at 403-354-8869 or Box 493,
Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada TOH OCO.
