How I spent my summer, part 3 (steamy!)

[Groucho]

Steamy, as in steam-powered machinery! For the second year, we visited the "Pageant of Steam", an event dedicated to steam-powered machinery, especially agricultural stuff. I'm no farmer (not even close!) but I love the big steam-powered stuff here.

They have a barn with some permanently-installed equipment.

They had, among other things, a log mill set up. The steam engine in the first shot ran the conveyor belt and a steam tractor ran the blade.

Misc. stuff...

My favorite part is when the steam tractors do the tractor pull...

I hope you like. Comments are always welcome! Next up is some renaissance photos...

 

[Cdash]

I love seeing the old steam tractors working. Just sitting there is a shame. It never ceased to ammaze me what those tractors could do with their 15 to 20 hp (if I remember correctly).

Tractor pulls are always cool with those things.......

 

[Quicklabs]

Some really great shots there! I really like those B&W shots. Groucho, you are the master of the fisheye lens!

 

[bob100]

nice and sharp - interesting pics
those old valves that stop down with increase revolutions - they're still around!

 

[boBQuincy]

I always look for the signature Groucho fisheye photo! Old machinery is fascinating, especially steam. The night shots are just gorgeous!
They need to hide the new fangled optical sensor under some old steam contraption (first image).


boB

 

[Groucho]

Thanks a lot guys! I'm glad that you like.

Cdash, you're right, it's great seeing them working. (I think they actually have more like 30-75hp! Pretty amazing for the time. I guess they even build a few with 150hp! And the torque is what's really amazing, I believe they make all their power immediately, no need to rev them up like a typical gasoline engine.) Even better is the sound that the steamers make, plus all the various steam whistles that blow every few minutes. (YouTube is a good place to go to get a feel of the great sounds.) Then there's the smells... especially in the enclosed barn, it's such a masculine, greasy grimey smell. No offense to you ladies - my wife likes the show a lot too.

There's a few more fisheyes on the full gallery...

Who knew Greyhound made tractors? Not I... (I think I went a little heavy on the post-processing vignetting! Yikes.)

Here's the one in the b/w photo from another angle.

There was even an REO Speed Wagon there! I don't ever recall seeing one before at any car show I've been to. Yes, this is where the band got their name. Not very interesting photos but an interesting subject, IMHO.

 

[YEKCIM]

VERY cool stuff. Looks like a wonderful photography venue. Excellent photography (as usual).

~Ed

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Nice shots! (Steamy is right!)

 

[Groucho]

Thanks folks!

One more night shot... this event was the first one after I had adjusted the focus on my camera and suddenly my 31mm F1.8 was nailing focus more like it should be! It's hard to tell from this shrunk-down version but the lettering on the front of the tractor is very sharp even at 100%.

 

[Mr._The_King]

I gotta say that looks like a whole lotta fun and as always AWESOME AWESOME pictures

 

[Evad]

Great pics Groucho!!

Up here we have similar show called Steam Era. It's held right here in my home town. Though like you I am no farmer, but I am a member of the association the puts on the show. Nothing like the smell and sounds a steam engine give off.

Here some pics.

 

[boBQuincy]

It is not a tractor but it is steam powered, the Stanley Steamer world land speed record holder of 1906.

 

[Groucho]

Thanks Mr The King!

Up here we have similar show called Steam Era. It's held right here in my home town. Though like you I am no farmer, but I am a member of the association the puts on the show. Nothing like the smell and sounds a steam engine give off.

Looks like a good time! There is another local steam show that I haven't been to yet, both shows are about 45 minutes from our house but in opposite directions. Unfortunately the second show (which sounds like it may be even bigger) is on the same weekend as the vintage races at Watkins Glen... which we went to. Maybe next year they won't overlap and I go visit both shows!

It is not a tractor but it is steam powered, the Stanley Steamer world land speed record holder of 1906.

Very cool! If I suddenly find myself rich, a steam car is going to be one of the first vehicles I buy. I always love seeing Jay Leno's garage when it's featured on various shows, he is also fascinated by steam and has several steam cars and even a steam generator. My friend in LA got to get a tour of his garage not long ago; I told him that next time I'm there, he has to get me in there.

 

[QBNumba1]

great pictures

 

[robb01]

Nice work!

 

[Groucho]

great pictures

Nice work!

Thanks guys!