Secretary, N.Y.S.E.A.
One of the most eastern steam reunions in the country was held
last year in Canandaigua, N. Y. by the New York Steam Engine
Association, Inc. Since many old time steam buffs and threshers may
be interested in our ‘Pageant of Steam’, we would like to
give an account of the event.
A heavy rainfall came Tuesday before the meet but dust was
blowing by late Wednesday and when the reunion opened Thursday
sprinkler trucks had to be used. Although rainy weather threatened
late one afternoon, the weather was kind to us resulting in a
capacity attendance which was welcomed by a Baker fan, kept in
motion by either a steam or gas engine, at the entrance.
One might be interested in a brief resume of our activities. The
Association’s recently purchased sawmill was operated by its
original owner, Luzerne Ball. Thousands of feet of lumber was sawed
from logs hauled in from nearby woods. Several traction engines
powered the mill including a Frick owned by Bob Marshall. A mobile
shingle mill, powered by a one cylinder 1900 – 20 HP. IHC was
placed in operation by Mr. Hotchkiss of Union Springs. Souvenir
shingles were given to admiring onlookers.
Blocks for the shingle mill were provided by Willson Negeldinger
who operated a drag saw powered by his portable 6 HP S. W. Wood
engine.
Each day Irving Lamb had his yoke of Devon oxen which went
through various paces when hitched to a two wheel cart. The oxen,
which are two years old, weigh within 20 pounds of one another.
They are light brown and chestnut with white only on their tails.
Oxen are very rare here in New York and proved a popular attraction
particularly to the younger generation.
Clarence Stillson of Rochester supervised the huge model display
which included live steam locomotives. ‘Ken’ Parkinson
brought a scale ‘K-4’ Pennsylvania Pacific locomotive and
ran it on reinforced Buddy-L track. He let many children actually
‘pull the throttle’– a wonderful thrill for the small fry.
Dennison Models from Cleveland had their usual fine display and
commented that ours was the largest steam meet they had ever
attended. Other attractions in the model area included Craig
McMillan’s exhibit of old cast iron toys and toy live steam
model workshop which was made in Germany many years ago. Craig also
ran President ‘Wally’s’ model Case and separator. There
were dozens of model steam engines in operation including W.H.
Elwood’s beautiful replica of a Buffalo-Pitts. All of these
models operated under their own steam or from a nearby stationary
boiler.
