This article is a real hands-across-the-sea item. It was written
by David Gray, a British engineer who lived in the U.S. for several
years, and is a steam traction engine buff. He attended the Rough
& Tumble Reunion at Kinzers, and traveled elsewhere in the V.
S. to see steam engines. He has now returned to Great Britain, and
wrote this article about the R & T teeter-totter for
Engine Club in Britain. We wrote to him in England and obtained
permission to reprint, along with the pictures that appeared with
the article. His address: David Gray, 60 Harbour Ave., Comberton,
Cambridge, CB3 7DD, United Kingdom.
Since my article on American traction engine preservation in the
March 1980 issue of Steaming, I have had numerous
requests to provide more information about the
‘teeter-totter’ that I mentioned.
The teeter-totter is a heavy timber platform measuring
approximately twenty-eight feet in length by some twelve feet in
width and constructed of timbers two inches thick. This wooden
platform is pivoted, either on a heavy timber log or on a specially
built steel and timber trestle. The trestle is located under the
platform at the mid-point of its length so that the platform
becomes a large see-saw.
The object of this piece of equipment is to prove the
drivers’ skill and ability at controlling their machines by
driving up onto the platform, and manoeuvering their engines into a
central position so that the platform is balanced with each end
equally off the ground.
It certainly takes a considerable amount of practice before a
driver is able to match the skill of Paul B. Stolzfoos of Leola,
Pennsylvania who is able to drive his Peerless traction engine
straight up onto the platform and into the balanced position
without the necessity to reverse his engine once. He does it with
such speed that no sooner is his engine mounting the platform than
he is blowing the chime whistle in triumph having ‘balanced
out’.
My pictures show Paul demonstrating his prowess at the Rough
& Tumble Engineers’ showground at Kinzers in May 1980
firstly driving on the tipped up platform and then standing,
seconds later, balanced in the horizontal position.
The teeter-totter certainly provides an excellent form of
competition for the drivers of engines and also, at times, some
amusement for the onlookers.
