Letters and Miscellanies

By Staff
Published on January 1, 2005

It was with great interest that I read the article in the August
2004 issue, “100 Years on Tracks.” Of special interest was the part
about Doug Veerkamp’s Caterpillar 60 with the diesel engine
conversion.

My dad used to farm on the upper and lower Jones Tract west of
Stockton, Calif., John Kelly was a large-scale farmer who also
farmed on the Jones Tract, and he had a Cat 60 with an Atlas
Imperial diesel engine in it. It had a gas engine air compressor
behind the seat to supply compressed air for starting the Atlas. I
only saw the 60 once and that was about 60 years ago, so I don’t
remember much about it.

I think the Atlas was a three-cylinder engine with three exhaust
pipes. I wonder if Mr. Veerkamp has ever heard of an Atlas Imperial
in a Cat 60 and if there are any that have survived, or if that was
a one-time deal.

I would appreciate hearing from Mr. Veerkamp, as I am a nut
about old engines, tractors and airplanes. I am 80 years old and
still have my pilot’s license.

Jim Soares
7093 Dry Creek Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
(406) 388-6069

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