The Citizen, 2005-09-08, Page 23PAGEA-2. THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 8. 2005.
Thresher Reunion 2005
Hobby that began at Reunion now dream job
more small steam engines to add to
my collection." I moved west in
1981 and ended up in Calgary,
working as a journeyman carpenter
for one of the city’s major builders
of custom homes for the next 20 plus
years.
I was looking for “steam”
everyone I worked with had
interest in “that old junk.”
In 1985, I came across
operating Rumely Oil Pulls, all
kinds of huge tractors that you will
never see on the smaller farms in
Ontario, and artifacts that were used
by the early pioneers of Alberta.
I joined up and was soon helping
to finish restoring their 1912, 65hp
Case steam engine, I9l l 30-60 Hart
Pan- tractor, several pump engines
and helping out in the Stationary
Steam Building.
Over the years I have restored a
1895 Robb-Armstrong and an early
1900 Leonard & Sons stationary
steam engine for Pioneer Acres, as
Continued on A-3
but
no
steam
steam
an
organization a half hour north-east
of Calgary called Pioneer Acres of
Alberta Museum. This museum has
all kinds of old equipment, western
Canada’s largest collection
On the job
Brian Manning, chief engineer at Heritage Park, Calgary, stands before a 120-ton
engine built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1944. This is one of two operating
locomotives that Manning runs. The photo also shows the 65-hp Case steam engine which
he’s lighting up for use in field demonstrations for the Rural Roots event. (Photo submitted)
By Brian Manning
So many times in our journey
through life, we come across people
who absolutely despise their work or
job. and display no qualms of letting
other people know that they wish
they could get paid to do their
hobby, whatever it may be.
Well I’d like to say that I’m part of
a select group who gets to do their
hobby for a living and enjoys going
to "work” each morning.
It all started in Blyth when 1 was
a kid of 10 or 12 and I got my first
Mamod model steam engine for
Christmas. Most of the group that I
played with, loathed the end of
August because it signalled the end
of summer and the start of a new
school year, and it wouldn’t be long
before
hockey
["after
first!”)
1 couldn’t wait for September, not
because it would be the first day of
school, but September brought back
the steam engines! I would ride my
bike up to the fairgrounds every day
alter school to see if any new
we would be out playing
at the arena or at the creek
you shovel the driveway
engines had arrived on the big
trucks, hoping for the chance that
just maybe I could watch one being
unloaded. I was mesmerized at the
skill of the engineer as he gingerly
backed such a huge and heavy piece
of equipment off the trailer, how he
knew which one of those handles,
mounted on top of the hot boiler to
move, and in what direction to get
the engine to slowly walk off the
back was amazing. I was hooked!
I would go up and help Russ
Wilson dust off and remove some of
the old equipment from the driving
shed that was across from the arena,
or help put some more red and black
paint on that corn cutting box or
another piece of equipment that he
had worked on all winter restoring to
new condition. I would help my
grandfather, Alex Manning, pound
in wood stakes all over the
fairgrounds so the visitors would
know were to park, stake out for the
model steam engines and the parade
route.
Grandpa loved the steam engines,
and owned a couple as well, and I
loved being around the engines with
him, especially after supper when it
seemed all the village came up to see
what was new for this year’s show. I
somehow felt that I helped in my
own little way, and was rewarded b>
being able to jump up onto the
platform of that huge Sawyer-
Massey, George White or Robert
Bell steamer and blow the whistle!
What a thrill for me it was.
My parents never worried about
where I was or if I was late for
supper, as they knew that I was in
good hands with Grandpa up at the
fairgrounds.
I finished high school, but never
really lost my interest in steam"
engines, antique equipment or
models as I had collected several
Located on County Rd. #25 just east of Auburn, Stickers
offers those attending the Thresher Reunion a convenient
place to dine. You will enjoy our country atmosphere and
good old-fashioned down-home cooking. Lots of daily
specials and all day breakfast make for a variety of menu
choices. There's lots of parking space and a "We Serve Gas
& Diesel Bar" as well as showers.
Don't miss our Threshers' Reunion Specials.
Friday All-You-Can-Eat Smorgasbord 4-7 p.m.
Saturday Fish Fry 5-7 p.m.
Sunday Buffet 4-7 p.m.
Regular Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.,
Saturday 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
526-7759
Visitors & "Jammers
Hours of Operation
Monday ~ 4 pm to 9 pm
Tuesday to Saturday ~ 4 pm to 10:30 pm
The Royal Canadian
Legion Branch 420
‘Wefcomes JLH EEFiresfiers
The week of
September 5th to September 10
On The Menu At The Branch
•' ci 18 Hi ***♦
I »««»,I * French Fries * Wings & Fries
* Chicken Strips & Fries
Onion Rings * Battered Veggies
Battered Mushrooms * Pizzas
CO-OPERATIVE INC
HURON BAY
CO-OPERATIVE INC.
P.O. Box 39, Teeswater, ON NOG 2S0
Tel.: (519) 392-6862 • Fax: (519) 392-6846
attends and Go
Welcome to the
44th Reunion
of the Huron Pioneer Thresher
& Hobby Association
From your complete farm store
AUBURN
526-7262
MILDMAY
367-2657
BELGRAVE
357-2711
1-800-267-2667
CHESLEY
363-2017
1-800-268-4625
DUNDALK
923-2014
MARKDALE
986-2031
1-800-553-5606
OWEN SOUND TEESWATER WALKERTON
. 376-5110 392-6862 881-2021
1-800-461-2667 1-888-671-3378
WIARTON
534-1840
1 -800-387-8987