Large Scale Central

1:1 scale live steam (traction engines)...why mess with toys? :D

Other Hobbies
#1

For what some of you have spent on a couple Accucraft G scale locos, I got THIS…

My ex-wife sometimes called it a 17,000 pound (well ok, it does weigh 17,340# dry) doorstop…

It is a 1917 25 horsepower 20th Century Mfg Co traction engine, made in Boynton, Pa. It has twin 7-1/2 x 10 inch simple cylinders, a 42" flywheel, and is still running at 125psi. The original wheels and undercarriage were lost to the WWII scrap drive, and the engine and boiler were placed on a '56 Ford chassis back around 1960. It is one of only 3 (and another half) known left from this builder. Pic from about 1935

#2

So Mik -

Since it has rubber tires… couldn’t you with a few safety appliance additions, operate this on the road? That would be kinda cool to pull into the local Wal-Mart with :o

#3

It has air brakes, and in high range (currently locked out) will go fast enough to scare you…especially since visibility off the left side is kind of limited from the driver’s seat. If you put a slow moving vehicle triangle on it you could go get a pizza. BUT I don’t think my liability insurance would cover that. Parades on public streets are kind of a grey area too.

#4

Some pics from our local show last weekend… http://www.catfish-hollow.com/Portersville/photo/2008.htm My '37 Allis WC… Kim tried to kill me with it on Friday afternoon

(http://www.catfish-hollow.com/Portersville/photo/P8010059a.jpg)

#5

Our County Fair Parade had a 1911 Case in it. It is owned by the Maschhoff Hog Farm. They put rubber over the steel wheels to go down the paved roads. In my 60 years this was the first time I had seen a traction engine run at speed. It was very impressive and beautifully restored.

#6

I’ve always wanted to get a Sentinel steam powered truck.

(http://www.steamengine.com.au/events/reports/heyfield-vic-2003/steam/pics/1926-sentinel-super-wagon-76hp-steam-truck.jpg)

Or the bus version

(http://lh6.ggpht.com/abramsv/R2xOeUKUcGI/AAAAAAAABmM/m-xBn7cYAd4/003w442f.jpg)

#7

A story my 91 year old father in law loves to tell is visiting the family farm 9 miles southeast of here when he was under 10 years old and running down to greet the thrashing team coming up the road to work the wheat. We tried to get him to a position to see the 1911 Case, but couldn’t get the oppurtunity. A personal short term goal. We have lots of steam traction events in the area this month.

#8

Bob McCown said:
I’ve always wanted to get a Sentinel steam powered truck.

(http://www.steamengine.com.au/events/reports/heyfield-vic-2003/steam/pics/1926-sentinel-super-wagon-76hp-steam-truck.jpg)

I can get you one, it would even run on steam…but it would be 1:12, lol.

(http://maxitrak.co.uk/train_images/ss.jpg)

(Get two for steam powered roller skates?) Or maybe 4.5" scale?

(http://maxitrak.co.uk/train_images/supersentinal45.jpg)