I recently went through my copy of the Farm Collector show directory (formerly Stemgas directory) and found several listings of steam shows that also have steam loco's. Mind you that this is a PARTIAL listing. If your state or show is missed, I am sorry, and I hope that you would post the info. There are also some shows in here, that I know have steam railroad operations that did not take out an ad, or did not list that they had a steam loco.

Many of these shows are incredible. You pay an average of $5 at the gate, and there is more food than you could ever eat (and boy is it GOOD!) AND, these shows that have steam trains have a nominal charge for a ride, possibly even free. Best thing is, you can ride the train. You can photograph it all day from all angles, and get runby after runby after runby.

A couple of these shows also offer working demonstrations of steam shovels, and steam cranes. These too were essential in the building of railroads, right of way's, trestles, and such, and are often overlooked.

If you wish to get one of these catalogs for yourself, go to www.farmcollector.com and plan your vacation.

Connecticut, Kent Sept 27&28 3ft. gauge r.r.
www.ctamachinery.com

Illinois, Pontiac Aug 28-Sept 1 2 steam trainS

Indiana, Booneville Oct 10-12 Porter steam loco (? operating)

Iowa, Mt. Pleasant Aug 28-Sept 1 3 Steam trains
www.oldthreshers.org

Michigan, Mason July 25-27 steam crane

Michigan, Buckley Aug 14-17 steam train
www.buckleyoldengineshow.org

Michigan, Flint Aug 2-3 Huckleberry Railroad

Minnesota, Rollag Aug 29-Sept 1 3 Steam trains
www.wmstr.com

Minnesota, Dalton Sept 5-7 French loco (free ride)

Nebraska, Waverly July 19-20 Steam crane, scale steam loco's

North Carolina, Denton July 2-6 Steam shovel, steam crane, steam loco / train www.threshers.com

Ohio, Georgetown Aug 7-10 1920 Bucyrus steam shovel

Pennsylvania, Kinzers May 9-10, Aug 13-16 2 steam trains www.roughandtuble.org

Pennsylvania, Williams Grove Aug 24- Sept 1
inoperable Pennsy Steam 0-6-0 www.williamsgrovesteam.org

don't overlook that many of these may be, or are near railroad museums. Take full advantage of this.



bbjimbo@yahoo.com

> Connecticut, Kent Sept 27&28 3ft. gauge
> r.r.
> www.ctamachinery.com

While there are a good number of antiqe machinery show in New England, is believed to be the biggest. There is something there for everyone in this hobby. The gound come alive for the two-day Fall Show mentioned above.

It's situated in the pituresque hills of western CT on Rte. 7 just north of the village of Kent adjacent to the Sloane-Stanley musuem between the Housatonic RR and the Housatonic River.

Ray

I'd like to add an event that is unusual. The Sumpter Valley Railroad Restoration Inc (SVRR) will be having a grand opening of our new Sumpter Depot May 23 @ 2:30PM. This is just prior to Memorial Day weekend and Sumpter has an annual flea market on this weekend. The town swells to several thousands of people for this event, one of three seasonal flea markets.

We believe this may be the first new railroad depot to be constructed in many decades in Oregon, and perhaps the Northwest. Our wood burning Heisler #3 will be on hand for school specials, and if there is room, you may be able to catch a ride (students have first priority). There will be refreshments and cake at no charge, and of course the depot will be open.

Other attractions in the area include the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City, one of the finest interpretive centers I have ever seen, and not too far away is Hells Canyon.

dan

http://visitbaker.com/

http://www.svry.com
svry@pacifier.com

Blues and Barbecue at the Savannah Roundhouse Railroad Museum last April 25-27. Free admission, GOAT switching between sets, locomotive steamed corn on the cob, beer and barbecue, great blues music. Call 912-651-6823 to confirm dates and times.

BlueGRASS and BBQ at New Hope Valley RR first weekend in May (near Raleigh, NC). Vulcan 0-4-0T 17 up and running for the festivities.

Dave



irondave@bellsouth.net

Add two more shows to the list, both in Maryland's Eastern Shore region.

The Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Association's show will be held July 10-13. They're on US Route 50, about 5 miles north of Easton, MD. The Tuckahoe show offers a loop of 3 foot gauge track encircling their grounds. A pair of open cars (built on 4-wheel industrial flat car frames) are currently pulled by one of two small Plymouth gas-mechanical locomotives. Many years ago they operated with a homemade steam locomotive that consisted of a (traction engine?) boiler mounted atop a Plymouth mechcanial-drive locomotive chassis that was powered by a (Stanley auto?) two-cylinder steam engine. A total surprise to this NJ resident was finding a standard gauge steel caboose from the New York Susquehanna & Western RR (still in NYS&W paint and lettering) also on display at this show.
Their website is at www.tuckahoesteam.org
See the below link for a photo of their Plymouth-powered train.

The other show is the Eastern Shore Threshermen & Collectors Association's show on Route 313 between Denton & Federalsburg, MD. It's being held on August 1-3. For fans of "park trains" they offer rides behind a 1961 vintage Crown Metal Works 16 inch gauge live-steam 4-4-0.
Their website is at www.threshermen.org
There are photos of their Crown loco on their website.

Also, not mentioned as being at the Williams Grove, PA show is their Ohio self-propelled steam-powered railroad crane. It came from a paper mill in York, Pa. The last time I remember it being steamed up was in the mid/late 80's, so it most likely isn't currently operable. Also of note is their ex-Ma & Pa wooden boxcar (lettered Ma & Pa) and a Whitcomb 4-wheel diesel switcher from the Safe Harbour Water & Power Co.

If you never have checked out one of these antique steam and gas engine shows, I definitely encourage you to do so this summer. Chances are pretty good there are one or more of these shows within a few hours (or less) drive for most people. Even at shows without railroads there are plenty of fascinating old machines of all kinds to view and photograph. Many of the restorations are simply awesome in quality. The shows feature lots of action (really great for video) with demonstrations of things like wheat threshing, log sawing, stone crushing, and plowing. Also, those out there missing the SOUND of mainline steam action, should hear a two-cylinder Frick steam tractor running wide open while breaking hard ground with a plow--pretty awesome!!

Regards,
Jim Robinson


Tuckahoe Plymouth-powered train