Rusty and Kay McGinness present the coal shovel of their Erie B
steam shovel to National Pike officers and ‘Trustees of the
Care and Maintenance of the Erie B. Shovel. From left: Aaron
Mansfield, Vice President; Tommy Kelly, Trustee; Smokey Montgomery,
President; Bob Kelly, Trustee; Wilma Frazee, Secretary; Rusty
McGinness; Jr. Christian, Trustee; Kay McGinness; and Lou McMaster,
Trustee.
When Edward A. ‘Rusty’ McGinness first saw his Erie
Model B steam shovel in New York State, he knew that it had
potential, and felt obliged to preserve it. Eleven years later, it
is restored to its original condition. Now at 80, Rusty McGinness
has donated the 1927 shovel to National Pike Steam, Gas and Horse
Association, Inc.
In August 2000, Rusty donated his shovel to the National Pike
Association after being impressed with the organization through his
participation in many antique equipment shows. National Pike holds
exhibitions twice a year at their grounds near Brownsville,
Pennsylvania, and is deeply concerned with preservation of antique
machines.
The Erie Model B steam shovel needs two skilled operators-an
engineer to operate the complicated shovel and a fireman to keep
the steam pressure up. Talent and experience are needed for both
jobs. At Brownsville there is such a group of experienced people as
well as younger folks willing to learn.
The National Pike group, with its many dedicated members, has
agreed to maintain and house the Erie and to make it available to
other steam and antique construction equipment shows and exhibits
across the U.S.
