A SHOW IN CRANBERRY COUNTRY

By Staff
Published on July 1, 1983
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
George Church's big 50 HP Fairbanks Morse chugging away. Boy, did everyone enjoy seeing this one wake up. The tractor for George's rig is just out of picture view but it is an interesting 1942 Diamond T.
George Church's big 50 HP Fairbanks Morse chugging away. Boy, did everyone enjoy seeing this one wake up. The tractor for George's rig is just out of picture view but it is an interesting 1942 Diamond T.

Here in the land of the pine tree and cranberry bog we have a
perfect setting for the engine shows everyone enjoys. Nestled among
the bogs in South Carver, Massachusetts is the Edaville Railroad.
For the past several years the line has sponsored engine meets in
both the summer and fall.

Well, this past October 3rd we had one of the most enjoyable
meets ever held at this site. The day started out just perfect with
crisp morning air and now-and-then pockets of mist, as is often the
case hereabouts in early fall. As we drove up to the field on
Meadow Street we saw several of the campers who had arrived the day
before. They were just beginning to stir a sleepy campfire into
action. Soon the smell of woodsmoke and coffee brewing filled the
early morning air as we began work.

The registration booth and steam table were soon set up and
ready for business. By this time we could see our ‘chief
engineer’, Paul Hallett, steaming up the big
Buffalo-Springfield steam roller. This piece of machinery is always
a popular attraction with everyone.

Here is an interesting trio with a little international flavor.
The engine on the trailer is a Champion Canadian. The Ruston
Hornsby is English; both being owned by John Poirier of Upton,
Massachusetts. The American tractor is a 1930 John Deere owned by
Brian Boria of Millbury, Massachusetts.

Ron Winslow, from Dudley, Massachusetts with his converted Ford
Pinto engine. Believe it or not this engine now runs on steam and
was very interesting to both watch and listen to. All photos by
Richard Laberge, Edaville Railroad photographer.

Dawn soon turned into morning and our fellow engine enthusiasts
began rolling in. We gave each exhibitor a show button with ribbon
and free tickets for the Cranberry Festival and train ride. This
way everyone had the chance to see and take part in all of the
events of the day.

Perhaps the two most spectacular happenings of the meet were
first, when George Church fired up his 50 horsepower
Fairbanks-Morse engine and ran the sawmill on his flatbed. The
other was a friendly meeting that was staged between the
Buffalo-Springfield roller and a train pulled by Edaville engine 4.
Shutters clicked, people smiled, and another family event was
recorded on film.

By the time the sun began to sink in the sky we found that
exhibitors had come from all six New England states and New York.
To them all we say thanks; we’re sure grateful. There were one
hundred and ten participants bringing one hundred and eighty
engines, four antique vehicles, one traction engine, and one
tractor. In fact we ran out of the area that had been staked out
and had to take over part of an unused field for the
latecomers.

Everything went fine though and everyone enjoyed themselves.
This last fall’s show, like those in past years, was
coordinated with the Cranberry Council’s famous festival. This
event, covering two weekends, is held at Edaville each year and can
best be described as a sort of state fair, cranberry style. In
addition to our engine show there was a horse show, 4H fair, and
all sorts of entertainment.

Next year we plan to expand an already overcrowded steam table
and allow for more aisles of exhibitor space. If we’re lucky
and the weather cooperates we’ll again have an enjoyable engine
show in cranberry country.

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388