613 8th Avenue Charles City, Iowa 50616
The Cedar Valley Engine Club had a very good year in ’85 the
best we have ever had. We threshed 3 big loads of oats each day,
sawed lots of lumber with 2 saw mills. Corn was shelled with a
2-hole corn sheller run with an 8 HP Waterloo Boy engine that had
set for over 40 years without running. It was restored and run
better than when it was new. There were several other rare engines
at the show, too.
We had lots of gas tractors, some of which are very rare. One of
them was an M & M Comfort tractor; another was a Universal
tractor which is very rare and was a forerunner of the Moline. It
has a 2 cylinder V engine of 10 HP. Also a Case 12-25 built in 1914
with a 2 cylinder opposed engine and several Hart Parr tractors.
Among them is a 22-40 with 2 carburetors, and a 1913 30-60. Of
course there is the usual line of John Deeres, Farmalls, IHC,
Rumelys, Silver King. Another is a Pull Ford made from a Model TT
Ford truck. Many of these tractors give rides on them or pull a
wagon giving rides.
We were given a Norberg Corliss cross compound steam engine air
compressor in the spring of ’85 by Allis Chalmers Co. from the
Rumely factory of LaPorte, Indiana. (A picture of it on the 2-
semi-trailers appeared in the August 1985 issue of GEM.) I am happy
to report that we had it back together and a new building over it
for our show. There is still work to be done to get the linkage
adjusted and steam pipes installed. We hope to get a good boiler
that will supply enough steam to operate it. It is a beautiful
engine, lots of linkage that is polished steel with lots of brass.
There are 3 sets of rods on each engine. The flywheel is 13 feet in
diameter. The high pressure is a 13 inch bore and the low pressure
is 26 inch bore with a 36 inch stroke and the air cylinder is the
same size as the steam cylinder. I hope we can get it running this
engine has to be seen to appreciate the engineering that it took to
make an engine like this.
Another rare engine is a Fairbanks-Morse 3 cylinder diesel which
was given to us last fall. It had been used on a railroad crane.
Not to be slighted are the steam traction engines which are
several.
For other attractions there is a large flea market, all under
cover, and old time music plus a drawing of door prizes each day.
We don’t want to forget the lunch stand featuring home cooked
food, especially pies, all operated by wives of members. There is
free camping area plus $1.00 hookup charge.
We invite anyone or group who wants to play the old time music
for fun to come and join the entertainment any time. The 1986 dates
are August 30-31 and September 1. This will be our 20th
anniversary. See you all there.