Built-From-Scratch Steam Engine

2006 - Volume #30, Issue #3, Page #21

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Arnold Green of Smithville, Mo., recently finished making a half-size working model of a 20 hp Advance Rumely steam engine. He machined almost all of the parts himself.
    This was no small undertaking. It took three years to finish. "I learned a lot of what I know from my dad, Pat Green, who's 80 years old now and still builds stuff. In fact, he helped me with this latest engine," Green says. "Both my dad and grandfather did a lot of work with these engines, and that's how you get steam in your blood. It's a hobby that I really enjoy."
     Green also credits Tom Turnbull of Leavenworth, Kansas with providing a bit of help on the most recent engine. Turnbull himself has built four model steam engines of his own, he says.
    "There are two full-sized engines here in the area where I live, so I made many trips to take measurements and digital pictures," Green says. "I made it as close as possible to the big one as I could."
    The rig has one speed forward and one speed reverse and reaches a maximum of 2 mph.
    According to Green, most of this engine was made out of scrap steel, except for the boiler material. He wanted to ensure it would be safe, so he purchased the proper grades of steel and had the boiler welded by professionals.
    "Our family has been going to steam shows since 1958. My dad used to build all kinds of things to take to the shows, including a steam car," he says. "Dad also built a half-size sawmill that we pull with the steam tractors or the Waterloo Boy, and we use it to make furniture lumber. We saw cedar lumber to make cedar chests, and things like that. It gives us something to do at the steam shows we attend. You need to make them work û they have to earn their keep. If they don't work, they're no good."
    Arnold Green estimates that he has invested between 3,000 and 4,000 hrs. into building the most recent steam engine. He thinks it weighs between 4,800 and 5,500 lbs.
    He's currently painting the wheels and engine red and the boiler black.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Arnold Green, 17606 N. 169 Hwy., Smithville, Mo. 64089 (ph 816 532-6245 or 816 853-9623).

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Built-From-Scratch Steam Engine AG WORLD Ag World Arnold Green of Smithville Mo recently finished making a half-size working model of a 20 hp Advance Rumely steam engine He machined almost all of the parts himself This was no small undertaking It took three years to finish I learned a lot of what I know from my dad Pat Green who s 80 years old now and still builds stuff In fact he helped me with this latest engine Green says Both my dad and grandfather did a lot of work with these engines and that s how you get steam in your blood It s a hobby that I really enjoy Green also credits Tom Turnbull of Leavenworth Kansas with providing a bit of help on the most recent engine Turnbull himself has built four model steam engines of his own he says There are two full-sized engines here in the area where I live so I made many trips to take measurements and digital pictures Green says I made it as close as possible to the big one as I could The rig has one speed forward and one speed reverse and reaches a maximum of 2 mph According to Green most of this engine was made out of scrap steel except for the boiler material He wanted to ensure it would be safe so he purchased the proper grades of steel and had the boiler welded by professionals Our family has been going to steam shows since 1958 My dad used to build all kinds of things to take to the shows including a steam car he says Dad also built a half-size sawmill that we pull with the steam tractors or the Waterloo Boy and we use it to make furniture lumber We saw cedar lumber to make cedar chests and things like that It gives us something to do at the steam shows we attend You need to make them work û they have to earn their keep If they don t work they re no good Arnold Green estimates that he has invested between 3 000 and 4 000 hrs into building the most recent steam engine He thinks it weighs between 4 800 and 5 500 lbs He s currently painting the wheels and engine red and the boiler black Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Arnold Green 17606 N 169 Hwy Smithville Mo 64089 ph 816 532-6245 or 816 853-9623