POWER PLANTS OF THE PAST

By Staff
Published on January 1, 1977
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PORTABLE PAPER PACKER

I thought G.E.M. readers might be interested in Power Plants of
the Past which is a project that began about 3 years ago when my
brother, Kenneth, agreed to restore a truckload of engines for
display in my old Reo truck. It was supposed to take about a year
but wasn’t actually ready for display until the third summer
after we started. Even now there is more to do but, at last, we can
enjoy showing our engines. Our first showing was at the Antique
Power land Annual Steam-up near Brooks, Oregon. We fit 24 engines
into our display and can run each one without moving it although
the air gets a little blue if too many are run without outside
exhaust connections. We tried to select a variety but found the
choices difficult because Kenneth’s main collection at Engine
Haven in Vale, Oregon, includes about 200 engines.

When on display, the back of our truck opens up to form a
platform with reception area and a stairway. Another stairway at
the right side near the front of the truck provides an exit so that
visitors can enter, tour the display, and exit without backtracking
or being crowded. The truck body is about 8′ by 16′ with
6’6′ of headroom. I insulated and panelled the inside, so
it is quite comfortable even on hot days. We used fluorescent
lights and carry a little light plant in case no outside source of
electricity is available. The truck is John Deere green with John
Deere yellow trim and lettering and makes quite an impressive
sight. It is home at California Avenue School in Riverbank,
California, because I am principal of the school and live on the
grounds.

Lloyd Jones

The Riverbank News authorizes Gas Engine Magazine to reprint the
article, ‘Old Engines Restored, Make Comeback as
Collectors’ Items,’ from the November 26, 1975 issue.

In an era when the term ‘power plant’ generally calls
forth images of PG&E generating plants or nuclear reactors,
much simpler power plants, old engines, are becoming
collectors’ items.

The hobby, which involves the collecting and restoring of old
steam, gas and kerosene engines, has a growing number of
enthusiasts. One such devotee is Lloyd Jones, principal of
California Avenue School.

This summer Jones and his brother, a resident of Vale, Oregon,
completed work on a van display of 24 engines ranging in age from
about 30 to 75 years. They have titled the exhibit ‘Power
Plants of the Past.’

These engines are just samples of a total collection of about
200 gathered by the brothers from various parts of the country over
the years. ‘Some people collect animals,’ commented Jones,
‘We collect engines.’

The display unit is currently housed in California Avenue
School.

The engines range in horsepower from one half to six HP and
weigh from 50 to more than 750 pounds. Samples of both air and
water cooled typed are included in the display.

Engines For Every Need

‘Most of them are general purpose power plants,’
explained Jones. ‘However, some are specialized, that is they
were used to power washing machines, water pumps, drag saws,
milling machines and such. All were quite common in their day and
were used for turning anything which might use an electric motor
today.’

Each engine has been taken apart, cleaned, repaired and restored
to its original condition. Wherever possible they have also been
repainted in their original colors.

‘All the engines in this group run on gasoline or
kerosene,’ said Jones. ‘We don’t have any steam
engines. We start them periodically when they are on display and to
keep them in good order. They won’t stay clean when used
because they throw off a certain amount of oil while
running.’

The engines recall a variety of manufacturers from the early
days of the engine building business. Included are such names as
Fairbanks and Morris, Sandwich, Galloway, Alamo, Alpha, Lawson and
many more.

The truck which houses the engines is also something of a
collectors’ item, noted Jones. A 1952 Reo F-22 Gold Comet, it
was built by Olds mobile and was known for its high quality, as
well as its high price, when compared with its counterparts from
Ford and Chevrolet.

Lifetime Hobby

Although the collecting and restoring of old engines is just now
gaining momentum as a generally recognized hobby, its been a
livelong activity for Jones.

‘My brother and I grew up working on engines,’ he
explained, ‘We were supposed to be farmers, but we put in a lot
of time on the engines. During World War II you couldn’t buy
tractors. We had our own machine shop, so we built them.’

Jones noted that his brother also collects tractors. ‘He has
about 60 or 70 displayed on a lot in Vale near Ontario in eastern
Oregon. Its referred to as Engine Haven – you can spend all day
there just looking at engines.’

Takes Time and Money

Lloyd Jones, principal of California Avenue School and antique
engine buff, shows off one of his rare possessions, a Galloway
engine dating prior to 1920. It is just one of 24 engines included
in Jones’ traveling display titled ‘Power Plants of the
Past.’ News Photo

While the average engine rusting in a junk yard or back lot
isn’t worth much in that state, it may be worth several hundred
dollars when restored to working order, said Jones. But the
restoration process itself costs considerable both in terms of time
and money. In many cases replacement parts are difficult or
impossible to find.

‘Often you either have to have the part specially made or
make it yourself,’ said Jones. ‘I know a lot of people with
engines sitting on their lots who talk about restoring them, but
its hard to find the time.’

The Jones add engines to their collection in a variety of ways.
People who know of their interest are always passing along tips,
and the brothers

spend much of their spare time conducting their own scouting
expeditions. ‘At first a lot of people say they don’t want
to sell them,’ said Jones, ‘but we check back with them
year after year.’

They recently purchased an engine from an old mine. Built around
1916, it weighs several tons and is a display in itself, said
Jones. It had been standing idle since about 1937.

Traveling Exhibit

Completed last summer, the van display had its public unveiling
at the Great Western Steam Up, held each summer in Oregon. Jones
hopes to take it to county fairs and other area events such as the
Lodi Grape Festival. He will also exhibit it as specialized
displays where other engine buffs gather to show their work.

The display made its Riverbank debut in front of Cardozo School.
Donations for touring the exhibit will go to fund school projects.
Jones also plans to open the display to Riverbank students during
the year.

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