Cedar Valley Memories
This past weekend was the 10th annual Cedar Valley Memories steam engine show, held just a few miles west of Osage. The show just gets better every year. It was a beautiful day to be outside walking around, enjoying the displays and demonstrations.
I love that these machines and implements are being preserved along with the know-how to use and maintain them, thanks to the many volunteers who work on this year-round. One thought kept running through my mind the whole day - with peak oil right around the corner, who knows but that these skills may be called upon again some day.
One of the most impressive demonstrations was the plowing with this goliath Reeves engine.
It pulled the plow like it was a toy wagon. Each set of blades was individually manned by pulling up a lever to lower the blades and pushing down the lever to raise the blades.
It cut thru the soil like butter. (And beautiful, black Iowa soil it is, too.)
For some reason, this turned out to be one of my favorite pictures of the day.
'Tis the season for steam engine shows. Zanne over at The Farmers Wife is reporting on one in Illinois.
I love that these machines and implements are being preserved along with the know-how to use and maintain them, thanks to the many volunteers who work on this year-round. One thought kept running through my mind the whole day - with peak oil right around the corner, who knows but that these skills may be called upon again some day.
One of the most impressive demonstrations was the plowing with this goliath Reeves engine.
It pulled the plow like it was a toy wagon. Each set of blades was individually manned by pulling up a lever to lower the blades and pushing down the lever to raise the blades.
It cut thru the soil like butter. (And beautiful, black Iowa soil it is, too.)
For some reason, this turned out to be one of my favorite pictures of the day.
'Tis the season for steam engine shows. Zanne over at The Farmers Wife is reporting on one in Illinois.
posted by sugarcreekfarm at Monday, August 15, 2005
3 Comments:
Great pics!! These steam guys are everywhere. The machines are giants - leviathans really. I was totally impressed and machine-wise it usually takes a muscle car to impress me.
Thanks for putting these pictures on the web. I am one of the the 2 engineers required to run this engine. I'm the one standing on the steps next to the tank on the engine. I'm also the fireman and my job is to maintain the proper water level in the boiler and fire the boiler to make steam. The engine is rated at 140 horsepower and was the largest cross compound engine that Reeves manufactured. We think this engine was built in 1911 or 1912 and weighs around 26 tons. Because of the size of this engine Reeves included power steering to aid in turning movements. We burn coal for fuel and operate the engine at 175 pounds of steam pressure. We pull 14-14 inch wide bottoms and the engine was rated to pull 20 to 26 bottoms depending on the soil conditions. This engine is the only surviving 40-140 Cross Compound Reeves left that is still in operating condition. I have had the privilege of operating this engine for the past 8 years and am looking forward to many more.
E.Gansen
Hi, I am writing from Amber Books in London. We are putting together a book called Mega Machines which includes the Reeves 40-140.
We have a short piece of text about the tractor but I have been unable to find any photos, which are necessary for the entry.
However I have just come across your photos of the 40-140 and I would be really grateful if you would grant us permission to use them and if you can send them to me - you would receive full credit.
Please contact me at kate@amberbooks.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Wishes
Kate
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