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I've been a member of the Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association that is located on rte. 30 in Kinzer, Lancaster County, Pa. since 1966. Every year in August they have a show that displays all sorts of Antique farm machinery and other tools and equipment. This is a show everyone should see at least once in their lives, especially children, so they can get an appreciation of how hard their forefathers had to work. In my garage I have two engines, a Witte and Geiser I've rebuilt. Check out the Rough and Tumble web site for the 2008 upcoming events. Make sure to visit the Annual Threshermen's Reunion in August at Kinzer, Lancaster County, Pa.
This
picture shows some of the steam tractors lined up and boilers fired and ready
to go, at the August show. The smell of coal burning, hot steam, and oil is like
perfume to my nostrils. Many old
steam tractors are operated and shown, these happened to be true marvels of
their time and are restored to original condition. This show is one of the
largest in the country of it's type, and is very well attended by not only us
lovers of the past, but people wanting to see and learn. Click on this link to
view a video of old stuff there.
Thresherman's
Reunion
Various Pictures below are of some of the Tractors.
The pictures below are from left to right, stationary gas engine, scale model engines, small scale steam train that takes passengers on tours around a 1/4 mile track, Amish buggies and various older tractors. The Amish are not only members but are great fans of this event, and are greatly admired by me.
This
old newspaper clip from March of 1975, is of my father and myself when we
happened to be running his Galloway engine in his driveway and a Courier Times
photographer happened to hear the sound. He came by and took this picture and
published it in the newspaper the next day. I was fortunate to have had a father
like him who taught me many things, including an appreciation of things
mechanical. He also introduced me to the Rough and Tumble which I've always been
grateful for. Being a farm boy he also instilled a spirit of independence and
self-reliance in me, which serves me well to this day.
Gardening is one of my other enjoyments. I've always been a farmer at heart,
just never
had their courage to take the plunge and risks of being one. This
allows me to be near nature and it's many wonders and blessings it bestows on
us, that of beauty and the
marvel of seeing plants develop and amaze us. I spend
many hours in my greenhouse tending and transplanting seedlings till they're
ready to be set in the garden and flower beds. I especially like plants that
attract Butterflies and Humming Birds.
These
are my American Flyer trains that I still have and run in my basement. My
parents gave them to us as Christmas presents in the mid and late 1940's, a time
when things weren't so easily afforded. I also got a Gilberts Erector Set one
year that I still have, every once in a while Karl still plays with it, just as
my older son Chas did. These are two toys that seem to have lasted down through
the ages. My I miss the days when Christmas was about religion, family
gatherings, and not over commercialized.
These links will take you to some old Iron
Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association
Tony Leonard's Pop Engines web site
http://www.oldengine.org/members/harrold/ Antique machinery
http://www.oldengine.org/members/brookover/kenzer.htm Rough and Tumble Engineers pictures
American Flyer Train Links
http://www.trainweb.org/s-trains/ Good start to look at trains
Inspirational Stories THE GHOST FROM VALLEY FORGE
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