But where are Steve & Neil???

[cozmik_cowboy]

Yesterday we went to the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club's annual Steam Show, and I saw this:




Peter

[cozmik_cowboy]

Which, of course, also puts me to mind of this (as done by one of my former employers): 

Peter

[paulman]

The old Threshing Bee!  I've been going to those since I was a kid (70's) and it is an amazing display of what powerful rhythmic energy can do.  Missed this year   Was the Lootens steam tractor there?

[cozmik_cowboy]

Yes, it was.
We've been talking about going since we moved to the area in '99; this is the first time we made it.  But I always loved the New Concord Old Steam And Gas Club show when I was a kid.  Nothing like a machine with bright paint, lots of gold leaf, and huge exposed fly-wheels (and a lot of noise!).
What amazed me was these massive piles of iron, almost 20' long, 10' high, spouting coal smoke - and producing all of 18 horsepower (back when hp meant something tangible, of course......)

Peter