As any steamer worth his or her salt knows, there’s no substitute for experience – except, perhaps, a little schooling. The old timers appreciated this fact, too, conducting steam schools to help train bright minds ready to work in the field with what was then state-of-the-art equipment. It was a priority then, and it’s still a priority today.
Our listing is compiled from information sent by readers and through contact made to schools that have operated in previous years. As such, there may be schools we have omitted, and we encourage readers to alert us to any schools we haven’t listed.
If you know of a school that is not listed here, please contact us at Steam Traction, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609; e-mail: rbackus@ogdenpubs.com
Steam School
Carriage Hill Farm Metropark
Dayton, Ohio
The cost is $175, and covers all materials and lunches. Class size is limited to 40 participants.
Accredited by the Ohio Historical Steam Board to provide the training required qualifying for a Historical Boiler Operator license.
The class will cover all aspects of Ohio’s new historical boiler laws as well as the proper and safe way to operate our boilers. There will be “hot” engines both weekends with plenty of hands-on time. On the last Sunday you will be given the Carriage Hill steam test, and if successful, you will be given a certificate that the Ohio testing facility will accept as proof of training. The State of Ohio Boiler Inspectors will also be present to administer the state test to those who are interested.
For further information and application form, contact:
Nick Krimm
Carriage Hill Farm Metropark Steam Group
7600 Shull Road
Huber Heights, OH 45424
e-mail: nkrimm@metroparks.org
11th Annual Somerset Steam School
Somerset Steam and Gas Engine Assn.
Somerset, Va.
April 12-13, 2008
Fairfield View Dairy Farm. The cost is $75, registration is required. Includes all materials and two lunches.
For more information, contact:
Bill Roberts
14375 Blue Ridge Turnpike
P.O. Box 492
Somerset, VA 22972
(540) 672-2495
e-mail: ssteamgea@gmail.com
www.somersetsteamandgas.org
Old Threshers Reunion Steam School
Midwest Old Threshers
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
May 2-4, 2008
Registration required. Tuition is $30, which includes materials and two noon meals. Emphasis on classroom and hands-on experience. First day consists of class work with slides, videos and discussions. Second day consists of hands-on operation.
For more information, contact:
Terry McWilliams
Public Relations and Marketing
405 E. Threshers Road
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 385-8937
e-mail: info@oldthreshers.org
www.oldthreshers.com
8th Annual Steam School
Heritage Park of North Iowa
Forest City, Iowa
May 17-18, 2008
Tuition is $25, which covers the cost of lunches and handouts for both days. This is a beginner’s class. Class emphasis is on types of boilers, basic boiler operation, safety devices, proper boiler start up and shut down procedures, use of injectors and pumps, forced draft induction, firing a boiler under load, holding constant steam pressure and how to handle emergency situations.
Steam engine topics will include basic operation of the steam engine, starting and stopping the engine, how the valve gear works, how a steam engine governor works and how to lubricate the engine and drive train. Under supervision of instructors, students will steam-up and be provided the opportunity to get some hands-on experience operating several steam traction engines.
At the conclusion of the class, a test modeled on the Minnesota Hobby Engineer’s Test is administered to interested students.
For more information, contact:
Jerred Ruble, Director of Shows
Heritage Park of North Iowa
Project
754 342nd St.
Hanlontown, IA 50444
(641) 797-2697
e-mail: ruble@wctatel.net
www.heritageparkofnorthiowa.com
8th Annual Steam School
The Central States Threshermen
Pontiac, Ill.
May 17-18, 2008
Threshermen’s Park, two miles north of Interstate 55 on Route 23. Registration required. Tuition is $40., enrollment limited to 50. Classes begin at 8 a.m.
For more information, contact:
David Schott
620 S. Vermillion St.
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-3129
e-mail: dj2shot@verizon.net
http://www.threshermensreunion.org
Rough & Tumble Steam School
Rough & Tumble Engineers
Historical Assn.
Kinzers, Pa.
May 17 and May 31, 2008
Tuition is $60, which includes all materials. Enrollment limited to Rough & Tumble members only, limited to first 24 applicants. Applications are available at www.roughandtumble.org Emphasis on safety, maintenance, operation and hands-on experience.
Class time limited to half of first day, with remaining time dedicated to practical, hands-on, including cleaning, inspection, maintenance and operation. Students will be introduced to operating railroad engines and a steamroller.
For more information, contact:
John Johnson
(717) 442-4249
e-mail:steamschool@comcast.net
Steam Traction Engineering Course
University of Rollag
Steamer Hill, Rollag, Minn.
June 14-15, 2008
Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuition is $50, textbooks included in tuition fee. Tuition deadline is April 15, 2008, which includes books and some meals. There are no course requirements or age limits, with the exception of individuals wishing to acquire a Minnesota steam traction license, who must be 18 or older. Register early, the class usually fills by January.
Emphasis on classroom instruction and hands-on training. Over 12 steam traction engines, two to three miniatures, three to four stationary and a full-size railroad locomotive will be available for student operation and training. The course fulfills 16 of 25 hours required for a Minnesota Traction Engineers exam, also known as the “hobby” license. This course also approved by Ohio towards licensing.
For more information, contact:
University of Rollag
Tom Hall
Box 999
Moorhead, MN 56561
(218) 233-1771
Steam School
Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Assn. Inc.
Edgerton, Wis.
Sept. 26-28, 2008
Rock River Thresheree Show Grounds. Registration is required with a limit of 50 students. The cost is $50, includes textbook, Case steam engine manual, the steam traction engineers checklist and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Class starts on Friday evening.
Subjects covered will be steam theory, boiler construction, operation and maintenance, steam engine components, piping, valves and accessories, prepping an engine for steam up, responding to emergencies and water treatment. We will have engines steamed up for hands-on training. ASOPE test will be offered, but not mandatory for a fee of $55.
For more information, contact:
Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Assn. Steam School
Jeff Bloemers
W. 4597 County Road F
Waldo, WI 53093
(920) 564-6292
e-mail: jbsteam@bytehead.com
Pawnee Steam School 2008
Oklahoma Steam Threshing &
Gas Engine Assn.
To be announced
Tuition is $25, two noon meals included. Registration and prepayment required, enrollment limited. Emphasis on steam basics and safety, repair and maintenance, trouble shooting boiler construction, soft plugs, injectors, plumbing and boiler water treatment. Will cover many other topics.
For more information, visit:
www.OklahomaThreshers.org
If you know of a school that is not listed here, please contact us at: Steam Traction 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609;
e-mail: rbackus@ogdenpubs.com
