New To Forum

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

While I'm not real new to steam, I am only minutes into this forum. I thought this was for Rollagers, but I noticed my friend Colin Beamish was a contributor and even fellow Montanan, Rick Stobel. Please forgive me as I'm no computer geek, so I'm going to have to go slow. Some of you may know me already and I'm looking forward to "meeting" more of you right here.

My handle is derived from a steam engine my dad and his brothers used to own, and I played on as a kid. It got scrapped in 1948, since the darn old thing needed a set of new flues anyway.

I have been a "Rollager" once... In 2005, a couple of friends... Melvin Pierce (from that state between us) and Mark Ohlde, a Kansan, attended and had a great time. My first picture is of me and my old late buddy, Richard Rorvig.

My second picture is of my dad threshing with the 20 Reeves Highwheeler over in Montana's Judith Basin, circa 1920. Dad's head can be seen just above the coal bunker.

The third picture is of Dad and his brothers plowing with 32hp Reeves Canadian Special cross compound #7181 and taken circa 1930, also in the Judith Basin.

Now, if you have high speed internet (or slow speed, if you're patient) I placed a 17MB URL on you can download that shows what kind of steam engine I operate and own. My son Mike is at the throttle and I am steering in this particular video. The temperature was 35 degrees, the steam gauge was on 125 psi and the pop valve was chattering.
Gary;)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1py5r8

[Rev JJ]

That's some good lookin' machinery there, but I ain't too sure about the guy to the left in front of the Minnie compound!:D good to see a familiar face...this looks like a great place with some folks on it that have a real love and commitment to steam power. Hopefully I can get up to Rollag next year.

And that is a real good looking Russell restoration on the other thread!

[Rev JJ]

Its good to see a familiar face, my friend!

[Mike McKnight]

Well, well, good to see some other familar faces on here....:D
Mike

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Boy oh boy...
Now you two have me wondering who else will come out of the woodwork?:bannana: :biglaugh:

These are some jim dandy emoticons, aren't they!
Gary;)

[Jeff Smith]

Hello,

I am new to this board also. :hide:I tried to make it to the WMSTR show this past year but could not make it at the last minute. I hope to make it next year for it looks like a great place to see a lot of activities.

Jeff Smith

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Hello,

I am new to this board also. :hide:I tried to make it to the WMSTR show this past year but could not make it at the last minute. I hope to make it next year for it looks like a great place to see a lot of activities.

Jeff Smith

Jeff,
For big shows, since I'm used to the piddly little ones we have in Montana, I've went to the 50th NTA in 1994 and the 2005 WMSTR. They were both memorable occasions for me. More than the mind could absorb, almost! We got rained on on Friday or Saturday at Rollag, but Wauseon had 5 or 6" of rain, so it was almost a drought at Rollag. I'll tell you, if you attend Rollag, Jeff, you won't be disappointed. They have one of the neatest show grounds anywhere. I sure liked the Briden/Roen sawmill. What a hard working display. Maybe we'll bump into each other again, here, Jeff!
Gary;)

[Colin]

HI Gary and other stakers:dancingparty: Looks like we've made quite an invasion.. I hope Mark and Rick don't lock the place down!
Its nice to have some place to go since Staks been down for a day.
Jeff, Mike and Rev, you definately need to make it 'up here' to Rollag some year, lots to see and do and theres always something new.
The 353 locomotive is one of the best atractions. i can't think of many shows with a full size(or switch engine at least) train running around them.
I have a few(poor) pictures here of plowing in past years. there hasn't been much the last few years since most of the land is in parking or something else. but they did buy some new land this year, and did some plowing again.
I miss the old days when the 110, 80, 20 Advance, 40 Avery and 36 Rumley would all go out and plow in the hills :)
1st picture is of Jim Bridens 110 Case and his old 80 which is now owned by Kevin Anderson. this is about one of the 1st times they plowed together in the early 80s. the other two pictures are the last time these engines plowed together, in 2001. i was herding the 110 around the hills and curves while Kory Anderson fired. Kevin took possession of the 80 that year. he had run it there for many years with the help of John Troske. Jim retired the 110 into his house that fall.

[GaarScott]

I heard tell that some fellow Stackers had come over here. Guess now I know it is true. Good to see (hear) from you guys. Gary, your photos are always a pleasure...thanks for sharing!:picture: Rev. Jim Jake, Jeff, and of course King McKnight, it is always a pleasure to run with you felllas!:bump:
Colin, I forgot to mention you also....but you are a Rollagian as am I, so sort of missed you as a result. Sorry ol' buddy!

And yes, these emotiocons are great!!!!!:biglaugh:

Lawrence
(aka GaarScott)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Well... I'm glad to see we are all "Junior Posters", since I get a senior discount on everything else.:bannana: :biglaugh: :hide:

[andyg]

Me too!


Andy Glines
Huber 16
#8213

[M Kerkvliet]

Man... A guy takes a day off and look what happens! :biglaugh:

Welcome to the forum Gary, Jeff, Mike, Andy, and Rev JJ. I was wondering what happened, and then I saw in Colins post that Smokstak was down for a day! Hope they got that worked out.

I recognize your "handles" from over there, and you are all very valuable contributers there, and I am sure you will be here too. I would like to spend more time on Smokstak, but I moderate this board, and one other very busy forum, and I just don't have time to do it all.

The board is open to everyone, even non WMSTR members, so don't worry about that. The only thing we ask is that everything is kept civil. We don't want any name calling, brand bashing, or related petty squabbling muddying the waters here. I am sure you will all be fine with that.

Welcome to the WMSTR Forum guys... Were glad you're here, and please contribute where you can!

[M Kerkvliet]

BTW...

I got an e-mail from Ted Knack that said he was having trouble registering. Do any of you know him, and if so, could you call him and help him out?

[GaarScott]

Mark,

Does that mean that we are allowed to talk about similar topics as discussed on SmokStak? The reason I ask, I recall not too long ago that a series of posts were questioned since they were posting photos and talking about a show in North Dakota. It was decided that it was okay to post the photos and talk about that particular show...but you, this forum, wanted to keep most threads...and their posts associated with Rollag and its ongoings...or has this changed now?

Just want to make sure it is okay to discuss all steam related topics...and their affiliates.;)

Lawrence:bannana: (I just like this icon!)

[M Kerkvliet]

Mark,

Does that mean that we are allowed to talk about similar topics as discussed on SmokStak? The reason I ask, I recall not too long ago that a series of posts were questioned since they were posting photos and talking about a show in North Dakota. It was decided that it was okay to post the photos and talk about that particular show...but you, this forum, wanted to keep most threads...and their posts associated with Rollag and its ongoings...or has this changed now?

Just want to make sure it is okay to discuss all steam related topics...and their affiliates.;)

Lawrence:bannana: (I just like this icon!)

Heres the deal Lawrence... When I brought the idea of this forum to the WMSTR board, there was some concern that there would be too much fighting and bickering, name calling, and people just generally PO'ed at each other because some of the board members had seen some of that going on at Smokstak. I am not familiar with exactly what all of the concerns were, but there was one thread in particular (on Stak) that was used as an example of what they did not want. Which thread that was is not important now.

To sell the idea, Rick, Vern, and I had to agree that the board would be heavily moderated, and we would not let that happen here. So far there have not been too many issues, though there have been a couple of times when we have had to remove threads.

Originally the forum was set up to promote and discuss only Rollag issues... after all, WMSTR paid for the software, and is paying for the bandwidth. It is a WMSTR forum! After we got settled in a little bit, we began to realize that there were a lot of us out there (myself included) who participate in other shows. There is also a lot of good information out there, as well as some unique exhibits, that would be of interest to our forum members. A few months back, I went back to the board and asked that we be allowed to allow content from other shows. They must have liked the way things were going here, because they agreed.

So, to sum it all up... feel free to discuss whatever is related to out common interest. Old stuff, be it Steam, Gas, Horse, Lifestyle, whatever... just keep it civil. If you have some pictures from other shows you would like to post, thats fine.

The emphasis should be on WMSTR related matters, but you will not get booted for posting about other things.

Hope this answers some of your questions. Again, welcome aboard guys!

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

BTW...

I got an e-mail from Ted Knack that said he was having trouble registering. Do any of you know him, and if so, could you call him and help him out?

Mark,
First of all... we are "the good guys" from there, so we'll be no trouble over here either.

Now, I have Ted Knack's email address, so I'll email the Minnesotan, 80hp Case owning, concertina playing friend of mine and see if I can help from way over here in Kalispell, Montana.
Gary;)
PS, This mostly Kraut ate LEFSE when at Rollag!:bannana: :biglaugh: :hide: First time!

[M Kerkvliet]

In all of the excitement I forgot to mention that I enjoyed your pictures, and your video Gary. I have never seen a Highwheeler... are there any left?

I am privileged to be one of the operators of Mark Pedersens 32 Reeves in New Rockford. There are pictures of that engine elsewhere on this forum. It id a fun engine to run, but a real PITA to fire. I get frustrated because I just cannot seem to master it! By contrast I also run Jim Bridens 40 Avery at Rollag, and that engine is fun and easy to fire. Never seen a boiler respond to one notch on the draft door the way that one does.

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

In all of the excitement I forgot to mention that I enjoyed your pictures, and your video Gary. I have never seen a Highwheeler... are there any left?

I am privileged to be one of the operators of Mark Pedersens 32 Reeves in New Rockford. There are pictures of that engine elsewhere on this forum. It id a fun engine to run, but a real PITA to fire. I get frustrated because I just cannot seem to master it! By contrast I also run Jim Bridens 40 Avery at Rollag, and that engine is fun and easy to fire. Never seen a boiler respond to one notch on the draft door the way that one does.

Mark,
I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Some of these other poster's on this thread will tell you I am an incurable steam photo junkie. I started gathering steam pictures for "my scrapbook" in 1952.

That 20hp Highwheeler was a rare engine in its time. None exist, other than in a rumor. The Ohe family, neighbors of the late Richard Rorvig had a 20hp Highwheeler that they scrapped on election day in 1947. Ours lasted another year. There likely weren't more than a dozen built? Reeves generally built a dozen in a run, of most of their engines. There were more 16hp Highwheelers made and thankfully, three exist today.

I'd like to see that 32hp US double simple of Mark's run someday. That show is much closer to me than Rollag. I also hear you about one notch on the draft door. I was priveleged to be a caretaker/engineer/fireman of the late Austin Monk's 40hp Peerless when it resided at Belgrade, Montana. When pulling the 20 bottom plow, we only opened the draft door one chain link. We ran a 1" injector nearly the full round (consumption of water??) and controlled the pressure, basically, with the draft door. When opening it after a pound (or so) dip in the pressure, it was time to pull open the draft door again. I had to get on my knees and use both hands, to break the suction.

I am putting a picture of Mark's Reeves on when it belonged to WW Danuser at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mark is a friend of mine and one year actually drove here to Whitefish, Montana to visit with me about 40 Reeves engine history, after he'd visited a Canadian museum with 40 Reeves parts.

I'm also putting a picture of the 110s plowing in 1992, to keep this "Rollag". Also a picture of the 30hp Case that led the pack, before it got the paint mussed up on it's driver wheels! I think the world of (Avery & Case) restorer Don Bradley, and that is his son Gary on the Case.
Gary;)

[M Kerkvliet]

Cool picture of Marks Reeves! The Decal is even on the rear water tank! That is still there...

What is that barrel behind the stack? That isn't there anymore.

I met Don Bradley in 2006 at Rollag. He is one great gentleman. I must have talked to him for about an hour, mostly about Jim's Avery. I could have talked to him all day! Jim, Rick Halldorson, Gary and Kelly Muhl, and Mark Pedersen go out there every spring to visit Don and take in some other sites. I would love to go with them sometime, if I can make it work with my work schedule.

Thanks for the pictures Gary, and keep 'em coming!

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Cool picture of Marks Reeves! The Decal is even on the rear water tank! That is still there...

What is that barrel behind the stack? That isn't there anymore.

I met Don Bradley in 2006 at Rollag. He is one great gentleman. I must have talked to him for about an hour, mostly about Jim's Avery. I could have talked to him all day! Jim, Rick Halldorson, Gary and Kelly Muhl, and Mark Pedersen go out there every spring to visit Don and take in some other sites. I would love to go with them sometime, if I can make it work with my work schedule.

Thanks for the pictures Gary, and keep 'em coming!

Mark,
I am not aware of what that decal is. Is it an Emerson-Brantingham decal? I don't have my serial number list of starting engines for the year, so I don't know if this is one that was built in 1912, after the Jan 1 (2?) take over of E-B on the Columbus, Indiana factory. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of this decal?

The barrel between the smokestack and steam dome is an oil tank, as it had been an oil burner in the Oklahoma era.

Don Bradley is a wealth of information regarding Avery (and Case). Sometime I'll post a picture of him standing beside Jim Briden's Avery at Rollag, several years ago. I did get to run Don's 30 Avery Alberta & Saskatchewan Special at Belgrade one year.

The picture here is one of Gary and Don Bradley one year when they ran the Reeves at New Rockford.
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

I found that picture of Don bradley posing beside Jim Briden's 40hp Avery, a bunch of years ago. Don also gave me another picture of a side view of the engine. (This appears to be the year it rained a little?) The last picture is of the 110s plowing in 1992.
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

HI Gary and other stakers:dancingparty: Looks like we've made quite an invasion.. I hope Mark and Rick don't lock the place down!

Jim retired the 110 into his house that fall.

Colin,
I am not sure how I got this picture of you, but I think you emailed it to me some time ago. Was that the 30 Case that was there in 1992 from Forsyth, Montana?

My next picture is from my good friend Kevin Small of Portersville, PA. He took it of Jim Briden's 110hp Case in Jim's den. I first heard of this situation on Paul Harvey News.

The last picture is taken of Jim Briden engineering Graham Sellers' 110hp Case on Sunday of the 50th NTA at Wauseon, OH. I rode a round with Jim and friend, the late George Hedtke.
Gary;)

[Emma]

We all love STEAM! Isn't that reason enough to look for steam sites?:D
It is for me!:fest30: :woohoo1:

[Sean Nelson]

Welcome all from Smoke Stak. Come and see the show if you haven't. Come again if you have. I can be found around the Gaar Scott 25-75. If you have been to WMSTR you know why I travel from Washington state and others even farther. John Deere 2008.

Sean aka GaarScott75

[Mike McKnight]

Welcome all from Smoke Stak. Come and see the show if you haven't. Come again if you have. I can be found around the Gaar Scott 25-75. If you have been to WMSTR you know why I travel from Washington state and others even farther. John Deere 2008.

Sean aka GaarScott75

Sean,
I take it you're like me, in that you prefer steam engines with the big 'ol Yellow Stripedy kitty cats on the water tank? :picture:

Mike

[40avery]

I hope Mark and Rick don't lock the place down!

Welcome to the WMSTR forum. No one will get "locked down" as long as they follow the site rules. we do have the intention of keeping the forum directed at and for WMSTR. We look forward to your posts.:)

[40avery]

I think the decal Mark speaks about is a decal with the name of the ranch that the Reeves was on prior to Norman purchasing it.

[Reine de vapeur]

No one will get "locked down" as long as they follow the site rules. we do have the intention of keeping the forum directed at and for WMSTR. We look forward to your posts.:)

I've lurked on both sites & this sounds like a plan.:thumb: WMSTR looks like a "gotta visit!":woohoo1:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Sean,
I'd love to come back some day. Is this the Montana Special 25hp Gaar Scott you hang around? As I remember there were two Montana Specials there? The one I placed here was a gorgeous engine. The man standing there in front of the engine is my friend Melvin Pierce of Scranton, ND. He had his 25hp Reeves cross compound there in 2004, after Jim Briden did some boiler work on the water bottom.

Mike McKnight would have to have an operation to have his smile removed, if he ran it... even if he thinks he'd also need to have an operation on his tennis elbow, after steering one. (Mike, I saw your sign... "We Want Pictures") Are those okay?

40avery I'll do my best to try to weave something into the post, regarding Rollag. I have always tried to keep my life upbeat and focus on the positive fun side of life, rather than finding out what's wrong with people and things. My favorite prank at Rollag was when I finally found the big old Montana boiler. There is that little stoker steam engine setting below the barrel, ahead of the firebox. When I found someone who looked like they were caring for the boiler, I asked, "Isn't that a pretty big boiler to power that steam engine?", pointing at the stoker engine.:biglaugh: :bannana:

[Sean Nelson]

I help operate the Nelson Gaar Scott. That is the one that does the whistle signals. It is owned by Dr. Bill Nelson and family, who are nice enough to let me help.Something about being related (poor souls:biglaugh: ). It is usually next to the workers eat shack. Where I have yet to run over the reefer trailer.:D

After running such fine machinery who would want to have their smile removed?

[M Kerkvliet]

Sean,
I'd love to come back some day. Is this the Montana Special 25hp Gaar Scott you hang around

That is John Jury's engine Gary. He does an excellent job keeping it "spiffy" and spends a lot of time after the show getting it ready for the winter.

My favorite prank at Rollag was when I finally found the big old Montana boiler. There is that little stoker steam engine setting below the barrel, ahead of the firebox. When I found someone who looked like they were caring for the boiler, I asked, "Isn't that a pretty big boiler to power that steam engine?", pointing at the stoker engine.:biglaugh: :bannana:

I bet it was Tim Moen that you asked he had something just as sarcastic to respond with! :biglaugh:

Gary... Have you ever used photobucket or some other photo hosting site? You could do your pictures a lot better justice... take a look at the pictures in Claytons Russell thread and you will see what I mean. It is really easy to do once you get the hang of it, and it's free! Unfortunately, because of the limitations of server space, the thumbnail pictures you are posting are limited in size. Let me know if I can help you any.

[40avery]

High Wheeler,

If you get to Rollag again sometime stop by the Avery and I will let you in on one Don Bradley pulled on my good friend Gary. It still brings a smile to Don's face when we talk about it.

Rick

[M Kerkvliet]

High Wheeler,

If you get to Rollag again sometime stop by the Avery and I will let you in on one Don Bradley pulled on my good friend Gary. It still brings a smile to Don's face when we talk about it.

Rick

Then Rick tried to get him to pull the same thing on me! Don must have mellowed a little bit, or I just looked meaner than Gary... It was a hilarious!:biglaugh:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
I likely have kids older than you... i.e., I'm old:( which limits my digital capacity, since I was born analog. I'm not afraid to experiment with new things, so will try Photo Bucket, now that you mention it... but computers and I aren't exactly bedfellows.

Don Bradley was always a prankster. I first saw Don at the Tyler Ranch at Moore(Eddies Corner), Montana in 1956 when they had this 40hp Gaar Scott fired up. That was me standing beside the Big Forty in 1958... when I had enough hair on top to have a flattop.:biglaugh:
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
I hope you don't mind me posting here. I must feel like I'm doing SOMETHING!:hide: :picture:

My first picture is of friend Melvin Pierce posing beside the Danielson's 25hp Reeves double simple on the sawmill.

The second picture is of the 36hp Rumely. One of the things that hurried the demise of steam was that other Rumely behind the steam engine.

The last picture is of the late Charlie Pierce, Melvin's grandfather. He fixed it up and hauled it to Rollag in 1956. It was on the catalog that year but more likely the next year. This is the 25hp Reeves cross compound engine Melvin had at Rollag in 2004.
Gary;)

[M Kerkvliet]

Mark,
I am not aware of what that decal is. Is it an Emerson-Brantingham decal? I don't have my serial number list of starting engines for the year, so I don't know if this is one that was built in 1912, after the Jan 1 (2?) take over of E-B on the Columbus, Indiana factory. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of this decal?



Gary...

Here is a picture of the decal still on the tank. I am sure it is the same one that can be seen in your old B&W picture of the engine on the semi.

I am running the throttle in this picture, and my FIL is sitting in the background. Rick (40 Avery) is sitting behind me. I am not sure who is steering the engine in this picture. Rick is responsible for my spot on the Reeves, and Jim's Avery. I have learned a lot from him.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Reeves.jpg

BTW... This is a photobucket hosted picture. It takes an extra step or two to get them up, but it is easy and I think the results are better.

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
Thank you for what has to be a Danueser cattle brand for their ranch in Oklahoma? It appears to be E D and I don't know what the "E" stands for, as it was WW who owned the engine. "E" could have been his dad, or something like that?

I've always been fascinated with cattle brands. I just turned over my grandfather's 1891 brand to my son Mike, within the past year or so. That is it above the door on his shed at Silver Creek, near Helena, Montana. Grandpa called this the "Crown" brand. I know this isn't Rollag related, but I'll try some photo bucket stuff maybe Sunday afternoon, when I can think clearly. this picture was taken this summer when I was pulling Mike's & my nephew Randy's 20hp Reeves double simple out of Mike's shed with my 15hp Case. Prior to boiler work, it needed the water bottom cleaned out real well. The old Case was working its tail off at this point.

I am only assuming cattle brands are used in Minnesota? Some states don't use them. A single iron brand like our old crown brand can't be gotten any longer in Montana. They must be two iron brands.
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
I'm going to be changing a water pump on my pickup this afternoon, instead of learning to post on PhotoBucket.com. I noticed Jeff posted a picture of a Minnesota Giant return flue on another thread. I wanted to post this neat picture of mine I bought off of eBay showing an early chain drive Minnesota Giant pulling the neatest wooden water wagon and vertical water pump, plus a neat old hand fed threshing machine. It's not necessarily Rollag, but it is Minnesota!
Gary;)

[Tim Moen]

Gary, I for one want to thank you for the history and the pictures! I have no say whatsoever on what can be posted on this Forum or not. It seems to me, that if it promotes the education and knowledge of steam and gas and---(era?) history, than go for it and don't worry if it specifically has to do with Rollag. Just my opinion and my .02$. I wish we had this when Bill Dey, Elmer Larson, Stanly Ellingson, and many more's advise was fresh and put into words forever. Tim.

[M Kerkvliet]

Gary,

Don't worry about posting your pictures that were not taken on the show grounds. While the forum will continue to have a Rollag emphasis, the board of directors has given approval to allow the kinds of things you, and others including myself have posted here.

You have commented on this before (being non-WMSTR material) and it is OK! I am fascinated by your photos!

I am going to keep bugging you about the photobucket thing tho...:biglaugh:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
I'll try photobucket soon. Today got away from me with the installation of the water pump on my pickup. Enough things went wrong, I don't have time before turning in, for work in the morning.

When Richard Rorvig knew I was coming in '05, he was going to get me a squeeze box, but it didn't happen. If I come out again someday, can I borrow one and play something like this rendition of Beer Barrel Polka, of mine? I understand there are people in Minnesota with the same genetic defects I was born into here in Montana. If it isn't wanted, I understand.
Gary:bannana:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/bshm7j

[M Kerkvliet]

When Richard Rorvig knew I was coming in '05, he was going to get me a squeeze box, but it didn't happen. If I come out again someday, can I borrow one and play something like this rendition of Beer Barrel Polka, of mine? I understand there are people in Minnesota with the same genetic defects I was born into here in Montana. If it isn't wanted, I understand.
Gary:bannana:



You would be more than welcome to play the "squeeze box" anytime you want at Rollag. There is a young man who is very active at our show, Jake Bastyr who is one of the best accordian players I have ever seen in person. Plays by ear! I love watching him... he makes the rounds at night, visiting camp fires and singing / playing. We have a lot of fun at the show, and music is a huge part of it. I am sure Jake would let you use one of his accordions. He has quite a few of them, though I don't know how many of them he brings to the show.

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Music has been a big part of my life. I played for my first dance when I was six. I know it's hard to picture a guy picking out tunes on a squeeze box by ear, when using fingers would be more practical, but that's the way I've always done it too.:ditto: I quit takin my squeeze box on the plane. The busted my original up and it took me a couple of days the fix the damage down in the bass end, so now I'm kind of paranoid about flying with it. They dropped it so hard at the airport, the little brass button jobbies that it sets on, on the bottom of the case were shoved up inside the case.

I put another picture of friend Melvin Pierce's 25hp Reeves cross compound at Bowman, ND. He had this at Rollag in 2004.
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

I thought I'd put another put another Giant on here. This one is a later Northwest New Giant with the "X" grouters on their driver wheels. I love those old threshing season pictures. The other two are of the 28 American Abell and the 36hp Rumely on the Prony Brake in 2005.
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
While I haven't gotten into PhotoBucket yet, I wanted to post these three pictures. The first is a little better photo of me and Richard Rorvig in 2005. Visiting with him, I could sit and talk until I was hoarse, but I didn't know whether his voice was hoarse or not?

The second is a great picture my friend Kevin Small took of the 28hp American Abell years ago.

The last is another of Kevin's photos, showing the 28 American Abell on the Briden-Roen sawmill. Danny is shown visiting at the right. I miss visiting with Danny too.
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

I always enjoyed my visits with Danny Roen. The phone calls were very special to me. Danny sent me many of his photos to copy and was so generous in doing that for this steam photo junkie. The first picture is of the Anderson's 35hp Buffalo Pitts straw burner and Danny has daughter Rachel on the back of the engine in this 1958 photo.

There must have been a good Buffalo Pitts branch in Minnesota, as this is Ted Knack's grandfather, or great grandfather's outfit. It appears identical to the Anderson's Buffalo Pitts, and is shown burning straw in this photo.

The next picture has little to do with Rollag. It shows young men; Scott Evans and Nicholas Swanz at Osage, Iowa this past August. Named CPU#2 & CPU#1, in the order so named, these young steam engineers from the Minneapolis area, were running half scale steam engines from morning until bedtime. The facial coloring isn't makeup, it is from coal; hence the names "Coal Pile Urchin" they have earned. I put their picture here so it bolsters all of us old timers, knowing there are youngsters in the "bull pen" warming up for the time when we old timers have checked out. Jim Evans is Scott's dad and Lawrence Swanz is Nicholas' dad.
Gary:bannana:

[Ted Knack]

Im new to the forum and just want to Pass on some information about me.I own a 80 HP Case Steam traction engine.I was at the 1992 Case Expo and Ran Lehart Fredrich 110 Case engine.It was quiet a experiance.I also worked with Lloyd Belden on the restoration of 5 Case Engines.My first Engine was a Case 65,32670.I had that engine for 20 years.I made a deal with the wife,if I bought the 80 which use to be owned by Lloyd Belden, I would sell the 65 :( And that happened.As Gary,I play the concertina.We have exchanged Cassette tapes.

[GaarScott]

Well since my friend Gary was kind enough to post a photo of CPU#2 (Scott Evans) and my son, CPU#1 (Nicholas Swanz) for all of you to see...I thought it only fair to post a photo of Gary riding around on Nicholas's 1/2 scale Terning 65hp Case engine that Nicholas purchased this past summer. Yeah, yeah, I know, how does an eight-year-old afford to buy a steam engine...especially at todays prices!!! Well simple, his folks went into debt, which he is paying off by doing extra chores...lot's and lot's of e-x-t-r-a chores!:hide: Sort of like child slavery!;)

The last photo is of Nicholas and Scotty getting ready for their 1st slow race that we as adults play in. Nicholas is on his engine, while Scotty is at the helm of my grandfathers 1/2 scale 25hp simple single side geared GaarScott.

Lawrence

[GaarScott]

Well after many attempts of attaching the photos that, as you can see, never were attached, I have since given up my attempts before I throw this PC through a window! I have sent a "help" email to Mark the moderator, so hopefully he will be able to give me some guidance. Just about the time I had it figured out over on Stak...you would think it would work the same here. Apparently not, as I'm as frustrated as you know what!

Lawrence

[GaarScott]

I thought I would try it once more...so bear with me.

The first two photos are of Gary Y. riding with Nicholas on his 1/2 scale Terning 65hp Case engine. The last one is of Nicholas and Scotty at their first attempt at a slow race.

[GaarScott]

Success!

I found that even though it says you only have to down size a JPG file to 640x480...sometimes you have to cheat that number a wee bit to get under the 97K allowable file size. My files were coming in at 97.something. It was that point something, I guess:mad:

Anyway, the next photo is of CPU #1 & #2 having their rendition of an adult conversation. Wouldn't you just love to be a fly on the steering wheel to take in what eight and nine year old boys talk about...eh Rev!

The second photo is of the two at the end of the day sitting in the cab of the mighty 40hp Reeves. You take a gander at which one is which...hint, look at the color of there shirts, as the parents did!:p

[GaarScott]

The last set of photos were taken during the Swanz/Evans eatery where Rev. Jim Jake was singing everyone a song...and Nicholas was playing as his back up singer!

The last photo is of Gary Y. playing the accordian. As you can see in the left hand side of the photo, Nicholas now has Rev. Jim Jake's guitar and, once again, is playing back up music for Gary. At least one of us in the Swanz family is musically inclined...and it ain't his daddy!:biglaugh:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Lawrence,
This picture has meaning to me... Mike and Scotty are on the 1/2 scale Gaar Scott, while Nicholas is taking me for a spin on his 1/2 scale Case!
Gary:bannana:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

I hope those of you who are tired of me promoting a boy, whom I feel will be taking my place at a throttle someday, will forgive me. I can't apologize for someone seven years old who is as sharp as this boy is on a steam engine. Would I walk away and leave him alone on my engine? No, but I'd take his assistance all day and give him every chance in the world to prove how well he is improving. Lawrence you have done a marvelous job of making him into a fine little upcoming engineer. I know your wife had something to do with it too!

The first picture is of Nicholas punching the flues on his half scale Case.

The second picture is of Nicholas on the belt. I don't remember, but it may have been a buzz saw?

The last picture is the one that is the nearest and dearest picture to my heart! This 7 year old boy has a neighbor girl on the engine and he is letting her steer his engine. My lovely wife and I were those exact same ages when we met and became lifelong friends. I'm your fan, Nicholas!
Gary;)

[M Kerkvliet]

A few things...


Welcome Ted! Glad you got the registration thing sorted out!
Great pictures Lawrence, and Gary.
Glad you got the picture thing sorted out Lawrence. Sooner or later I am going to get you guys hooked up with Photobucket! Much easier, and you can share the same pictures here and elsewhere. It is really cool! You don't have to resize either!The reason for the size limit on the pictures, is you are storing them on our server. The space is limited, though we have a ton of it left... but if it were allowed to let everyone post HUGE pictures, we would use it up quickly.

Guess I'll go check my PM's now Lawrence...

[dclong]

The last picture is the one that is the nearest and dearest picture to my heart! This 7 year old boy has a neighbor girl on the engine and he is letting her steer his engine. My lovely wife and I were those exact same ages when we met and became lifelong friends. I'm your fan, Nicholas!
Gary;)

How ROMANTIC!

I'm really enjoying your pictures and stories--everyone!

[GaarScott]

Gary,

The second photo of Nicholas operating his engine while powering a sawmill on the belt was taken this past year at Andover, South Dak. Nicholas is providing power for Jim Briden's 4/10 scale???? sawmill. With Jim's expert abilities at handling the sawyer lever, he was able to utilize the little Case's full power potential...in other words, she really sounded good!;)

As for your last photo of the neighbor girl and Nicholas...yes, that photo is sort of near and dear to me also. We have an 8x10 of it in our collection of photos arrayed throughout our home. My poor wife, by default, has had to put up with steam men. She married one...which eventually brought the other one into our lives! As most already know, I'm pretty proud of my boy and how well he does running engines. I'm pleased because he has chosen this hobby for his reasons...and not for mine. Nicholas is establishing a network of friends from his age group...just like I have done. It warms my heart to see so many young faces at our shows. We really are doing the young people a justice in life by allowing them to participate in what we hold so near and dear to our own hearts. If we want our hobby to prevail...we must keep the youngsters involved and allow them to get their hands dirty. Like Gary says, I won't turn Nicholas loose on an engine by himself without some fatherly assistance...but he requires my assistance less with each and every steam-up! I'm amazed how fast the kids pick things up...the very things that took me years to figure out.

Anyway, I realize I'm preaching to the choir...so thanks again Gary for sharing the photos of Nicholas and his 1/2 scale Terning Case engine. I hope others have enjoyed them as much as Gary and I do. And Gary, Nicholas thinks the world of you and Mike also....especially since Mike was willing to run with him on Sunday at the show, which allowed me to go around and catch up on some visiting that I missed out on during the first two days. TTYL.

Ray, I know that you have some wonderful photos in your portfolio showing you mentoring the kids...Nicholas included. Does anyone have some of those photos to share...to help tie this thread back to the Rollag theme. Thanks.

Lawrence

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Dawn,
That is so sweet of you to say. I'm not a writer of novels, but I accept that as a compliment from you! We guys aren't supposed to expose our "putty side.":p

Here are a couple of pictures of the Daniel Anderson 35hp Buffalo-Pitts straw burner, taken by my young Pennsylvania friend Kevin Small, who has a real soft spot for Rollag and the late Danny Roen as well.

The last picture is of the Birdsall, which I took there in 2005. I really appreciated that being the "Ford" year as well, as I bought my first of many Model Ts in 1953. I'm going to have to get out some of my CDs from that trip. I'm running out of "fodder"!
Gary:bannana:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Hey guys,
I apologize for this not being steam, but it is just one question... What is the story of this Ford that was on display in 2005? What model, what year, who owned it, etc?

I put a picture of Danny Roen's 110hp Case on the sawmill in 2004, to re-rail this thread.
Thanks,
Gary:hide:

[GaarScott]

Gary,

I believe that is my friend Mark Smith bent over feeding the fire on Danny's 110hp Case engine. Aint that a pretty engine. I have always liked the looks of Danny's engine without the cab. I think they look bigger without the cab on them...just my opinion. Anyway, she is a sharp looking engine!:)

Lawrence

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Lawrence,
I have to agree with you about that cab. This is one of friend Kevin Small's pictures of Danny Roen's 110, restored without the cab, the way she came from Racine.:bannana:

I just put a couple of more pictures of Danny when firing the Anderson's Buffalo Pitts.:picture:
Gary

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Well, I've had troubles with understanding the dumb things I'm doing on my computer tonight. I put a picture on of the hybrid Avery undermounted. I think they did a fantastic job of mounting that Case butt-strap boiler onto that engine. Was that a 22hp originally? It is a low boiler mount as the earlier 22hp and 18hp Averys had.

I also put a picture a friend took of me at our showground here at Kalispell, this past spring. Keeping with the 2005 "Ford" theme at Rollag, I've been playing with these things for 54 years. And it was 54 years ago I bought this 1926 Model T Coupe for $15

I also put a link below to another polka from my CD. This one is called "The Stump Jumper Polka". I'd say it was "written" by an old late friend of mine, but there is nothing on paper. He also played by ear. He played it on the old button box diatonic accordion. I hope you like it. I am playing the accordion, the guitar, and the electric Bass on this number. If you hear it, I'm playing it.
Gary;)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ekwh7m

[GaarScott]

Gary,

Yes, the ol' "Cavery" is a good looking machine. The Ellingson's and company did a great job on retrofitting that Case boiler on that ol' Avery machine. With the aid of the Case boiler, it really made a machine out of her. Typically they have the "Cavery" (little brother) and the 40hp Avery (big brother) on the prony brake on one of the night for the annual Rollag spark shows. they have quite a commentary attached to the two Avery's as each spews forth their best effort of sparks. Some question what is in the concoction, as they don't always smell burnt sawdust coming from either engine!:bump: But they seem to have fun with it...and the crowd really enjoys it!:bannana:

Lawrence

[M Kerkvliet]

Gary,

Yes, the ol' "Cavery" is a good looking machine.

You should see it now! Hartley, Dave and the crew restored the cab and gave her a paint job! Looks great!

[GaarScott]

Mark,

We want pictures!!!!!:picture:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

You should see it now! Hartley, Dave and the crew restored the cab and gave her a paint job! Looks great!

Mark,
Talk is cheap...:picture:
Gary:bannana:

PS:
Gaar Scott... I hadn't even scrolled down to your last post yet, when I posted my post!!! Great minds run in the same channels (ruts? not gutters)?

[20Avery]

Hey Everyone,

I saw the demand for the pics on the Ellingson Avery makeover project. I am pretty sure that I am the only one of our crew that has any progress pics. :) I can't remember if anyone else was stopping to take pics. :) I have some commitments today, but I have a few pics to start with. I will post a few now and a few later on. It was alot of work and alot of fun. We learned alot in the process to help us along with the restoration of our newly purchased 20Hp Avery. I will try to dig up a comparison pic to throw into the mix some time. Enjoy and stay tuned....

Jace
http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd71/mitch806/?action=view&current=18HPAveryProject8-24-2007004.jpg

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Jace,
How interesting to see the progress photos. How great of you to remember to do that. Most times in my life when I should have been doing that, I neglect or forget to do that. Post more when you get a chance. And it IS an 18hp... I wondered.
Thanks,
Gary;)

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Mark,
FYI, I'm sitting in front of my computer and uploading pictures to Photobucket. I'm leaving tomorrow for a week in Seattle at our daughters, but I just wanted to wish everyone here a Happy Thanksgiving. I'm not sure which link to use for Photobucket when placing photos here. One is a link to where you'd visit them and the other they come to your thread and visit you here, but I can learn that when I return.
Gary;)

[karl stange]

gary,

welcome and thanks for the posting the photos of daniel anderson's buffalo pitts. my dad, brother, niece and myself have been helping daniel continually with his engine for a few years now. danny roen introduced my dad to daniel and the buffalo pitts when it came out to the grounds in 1995. straw burning definitley keeps you at a steady pace.

also, check out the site questions concerning help needed with photos. i'll try my hand at inserting a link to this thread...

http://wmstrcommunityforum.com/showthread.php?t=137

just be sure to read all the way through. lots of good info about posting photos. including using the links for photobucket.

thanks again

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Karl,
I'm glad you liked the Daniel Anderson pictures with Danny. I have another one that I'll have to hunt for when I return from seattle in a week, as I remember it also had a little Jeep in the picture. In the meantime, I have to make a train in Whitefish in an hour and a half. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I know this engine isn't there now, but it was in 2003. Mark's 40hp Advance cc (from Montana).
Gary;)

[KEVIN SMALL]

Mark,
While I haven't gotten into PhotoBucket yet, I wanted to post these three pictures. The first is a little better photo of me and Richard Rorvig in 2005. Visiting with him, I could sit and talk until I was hoarse, but I didn't know whether his voice was hoarse or not?

The second is a great picture my friend Kevin Small took of the 28hp American Abell years ago.

The last is another of Kevin's photos, showing the 28 American Abell on the Briden-Roen sawmill. Danny is shown visiting at the right. I miss visiting with Danny too.
Gary;)

Hello WMSTR Community! This is my first post here on the forum. My friend Gary Yaeger has posted some of my photos I have sent him over the years and that is great!! The picure of the 28 American-Abell in the B-R sawmill was taken in 1996. The two gentlemen visiting at the right are the late Allan Byers and Pete Mandt. I think that was the first or second time the American-Abell was ever belted into the BR Sawmill. Danny told me several times that was his favorite engine in the mill. I have had the honor and privilige of working on the Roen familys 110 since 1994. Standing on the upper cannon bearing at the throttle of the 110 watching Danny saw huge cottonwood logs is something I will never ever forget. Although I have missed a few years since then, I can always be found in the BR sawmill. I first attended Rollag in 1990 and have made lots of friends since then. I live in Portersville,PA and it is roughly 1700 miles to Rollag from my place. I hope to make it to Steamer Hill in 2008 and New Rockford,ND as well. Sincerely, KEVIN M. SMALL

[M Kerkvliet]

Welcome to the WMSTR forum Kevin! Glad you got around to joining and posting! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures indirectly through Gary. I bet you have a lot more to post here as time allows!

Looking forward to seeing you at Rollag, and the CNDSTR this summer!

[Ned]

I know I'm not new to the fourm. but sense Gary started this thread I thought I would post a picture he might enjoy. And I know 1. its not at Rollag 2. its not a Case :hide:.
The picture is of the massive 40-140 hp Reeves in Iowa I had the chance to talk with Gary and his son for a bit down there in the summer of 07'
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa141/Erikthened/Rollagpictures097.jpg

Maybe Gary will share some info on this engine size, weight

Erik the ned

I'll go hide again :hide:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Erik the Ned,
Thanks so much for posting this photo of the former Montana 40hp (nominal hp)-140hp (brake hp) Reeves cross compound Canadian Special steam engine. My son Mike would love to see this picture, since he is in the cab, and if you have no apprehensions, I will email it to him at Camp Blackhorse in Afghanistan. The Smolik Brothers bought this engine in 1955 or 56 from the Pugsley Brothers, below Tiber Dam on the Marias River. The Pugsleys irrigated with it out of the river. It ran a pump flowing 8,000 gallons per minute. The engine, #6867 was built in 1912, after the buyout of Reeves by Emerson-Brantingham. Of the 50 Big Forty horsepower engines built by Reeves, this one is the latest style of Canadian Special built. Purportedly there were later ones sold, but some were believed to be earlier models wanting adopted in the back shed at the factory in Columbus, Indiana. Ed smolik told me this engine weighed 25 tons, filled with water and coal. While it is a very sizeable engine, it is one of the easiest to operate engines I've ever engineered. It has a Dakes steam steering motor and it steers the "correct direction" forward or backward. Its smaller brothers, the 20, 25 & 32 hp engines, were available with friction disk power steering. They were like the 110hp Case, you had to move the steering handle the opposite direction of steering forward, when backing up. I used to know the water capacity but no longer can do that off the top of my head and I didn't want to head for the reference books, this close to my bedtime. One feat of Reeves' head engineer Harry C. Clay was the casting of the motor or engine proper in one piece. This engine has inspired me to hopefully publish a works on Reeves & Company steam engines and centering heavily on the 40hp. When this model was first built in 1908 and sold as such in 1909 and likely early 1910, they had a lap seam boiler, operating at 150 psi. Those early 26 engines were rated 40-120hp. The 40-140hp Canadian Specials operate at 175 psi in any jurisdiction with their butt-strap boilers. I believe I've located the whereabouts of where 16 of these engines were once sold, owned and operated in my native Montana. While the visibility from the cab is phenomenal, it isn't an engine for mobility impaired (how's that for politically correct?) operators, to have to climb up into. Ed Smolik told me they were designed to pull a 20-bottom plow in most any condition. The 14-bottom we were pulling doesn't even tickle the governor, let alone open it more than it would run empty. The front wheels are 54" tall and 20" wide. The driver wheels are 7' tall and 28" wide. The extension rims installed here are 14" in width. Reeves also built a "double extension" for this model that was 28" in width. The first picture gives one a pretty good idea of those 56" width drivers. This engine is #5143, the first one built.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/20_Highwheeler/40hpintroductorycatalogrearawesomeJ.jpg
I added this picture of an early US 40-120 leading a 40-120hp Z-3 Geiser-Peerless, for some comparison. I hope this covers some of what you'd hoped to see and learn Erik? Sincerely... Gary;)
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee193/20_Highwheeler/40ReevesPeerlessZ-3DentonMT2.jpg

[M Kerkvliet]

Wow... Great picture Eric, and great information Gary! Thanks so much for sharing.

Gary... Send your son a link to this forum / thread, and be sure he knows how much we appreciate his service to our country!

[Sean Nelson]

It is ok to look at other engines and even appreciate their quality Ned. I can even like tractors other than John Deeres. But maybe not when Grandpa is looking.:hide::biglaugh:

Maybe I should go hide now.:hide:

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Sean,
Although I've never owned a John Deere tractor, but have owned quite a few red tractors, that's okay. My dad wouldn't care if he saw me running a John Deere. I do it at work sometimes.

By the way... I only own one steam traction engine... It's a J.I. Case too.
Gary;)

[defsim]

Hey Sean,
You have a cousin that keeps an eye on you as well... so don't get to carried away!!!:D

[Sean Nelson]

Brian does this mean that I have to be careful when I drive Mom's...

Honestly She forced me to move it.:D

:hide: