Sorry for continuing the off topic tangent, but I thought it was interesting that the Iowa show is going the same weekend as the one in Minnesota.
If you’re in the area, I would really recommend checking it out. There are some awesome huge engines running which used to power factories, a functioning steam tractor powered saw mill, a running steam locomotive, and countless antique tractors all running and on show. One huge engine turns a 2.4 kV generator which powers their vintage air compressors supplying service air to the entire complex. Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR): https://rollag.com/ Royce Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 28, 2025, at 11:41, Shoppa, Tim via cctalk <[email protected]> > wrote: > > Frank wrote: >> I wasn’t around back then ;) But I think the big problem with >> steam tractors was since they were so heavy they would sink into >> the fields. I don’t think that was an issue really solved until gas >> powered tractors came around. > > We're getting off topic but I want to interject that if you want to see > operating steam tractors, stationary steam engines, and lots more, get to Mt > Pleasant Iowa RIGHT NOW for the annual Old Thresher's Reunion which starts > TODAY. > > I note that when the Old Thresher's Reunion first started in 1950, the steam > tractors being run there were only 40-50 years old, not too dissimilar to how > an Apple II or PDP-11 is today. > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs4L2nSqCL4 > > https://www.oldthreshers.org/other-events/steam-school/ > > Tim N3QE
