The Breakroom > The Water Cooler
Ya gotta love the engine community, big and small
cedge:
Spin
What if I could assure you of an even more jaw dropping engine venue that is within "driving distance" of you? The "farm" was mostly surreal in that it was so close by. I'd never heard of the place until attending the small show, so it was a total surprise, even though they've been doing it for almost 5 years.
The event that just blows everyone completely away is held in Carthage NC. each fall. Ken Eder is a railroad contractor who collects full sized steam engines. Now that is what you'd call your average world class classic "understatement". You see.... his personal collection includes over 300 traction engines of both steam and hit and miss varieties. Estimates go as high as 500, but no one has yet to get what is accepted as an accurate count and Ken ain't saying. His web site has not been updated to give this year's date for his annual open house, but you can keep an eye on it at http://www.edervillenc.com .
Plan on making the trip. I can promise it will not be a disappointment, especially if you are into the big iron mechanical stuff. His model engine collection is nothing to sneeze at either. I could try to describe the event, but words just aren't adequate for painting this picture with anything but a pale shadow of the reality. you can see a few photos that I took a couple of years ago at http://cedesign.net/steam/nc-steam ..... and they show next to nothing, as he adds on more each year.
Steve
usn ret:
There is a similar event that takes place near Moorpark, Ca the last weekend of Oct on a pumpkin farm and the general public is invited. I went with grandsons last yr. Many ancient tractors, farm implements, some steam and some hit n miss engines. And of course pumpkins and other items for sale. They have a parade of 20 to 30 tractors that is impressive. CAL-OSHA would have a coronary if they showed up. :thumbup:
Cliff :beer:
sbwhart:
Hi Steve
Sounds like a great comunity, you know what we want from your next visit
:worthless:
Have Fun
Stew
Bernd:
Cedge,
Nice find. Glad to hear a lot of that old iron is still around. Much of that was lost during the war years to scrap drives. It gladens the heart to know places this exisit to preserve the old iron. Just wish it was a bit closer for me.
Thanks for taking the time to write such a lenghty entery. I was thinking the same a Scott, that you were having a dream and was gonna' wake up. :)
Bernd
PTsideshow:
For those that don't know about it, It is for Here in the States and Canada. IT is as complete a listing as you will find any where. For example there are 22 shows in Cal,72 in Mich, and 97 in Ohio. The total number of shows are down slightly this year. As the low turn outs last year put some in the red and out of business.
The biggest problem is the cost of insurance when you charge admission to the general public.
Some shows carry on as you have described as open houses, or invites only.
http://www.farmcollector.com/shopping/detail.aspx?itemnumber=3836 Seems they have reduced the price by 50% it figures I got my copy 2 weeks ago :lol:
It covers toys, full size and models and farm equipment and any type of show relating to early days.
It also covers most national and local clubs, groups and parts and badge suppliers along with a section on the shows advertising of what they have and will be doing.
--- Quote from: usn ret ---CAL-OSHA would have a coronary if they showed up.
--- End quote ---
California Code of Regulations, Title 8 is the boiler and pressure vessel code that covers them in that state.
Ever since the accident in Ohio in 2001 most states went to tighter requirements for inspection and operating of traction engines and antique boilers. More so when the general public and the paying of admissions or donations is involved.
As somebody in the Michigan boiler division said when it hits the fan and the parties involved have shallow pockets. The lawyers tend to come after the state for dereliction of duty in the inspection angle.
I have been in phone contact with the Michigan boiler division trying to get the latest clear code changes. As we are shifting our boiler code to be come more in line with the National Boards view of boiler codes. And the states attitude towards hobby boilers is changing.
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