Look at farm machinery or hit or miss engines and you will see innovation and problem solving made real. The variation in how they are made and work is fascinating. Compare models of tractors to see a human mind dreaming up ways to build a machine better, more efficient, safer, more productive.

“The Model ‘T' was so named because Henry Ford had gone through ‘A' to ‘S' before being successful in producing and marketing the ‘T'.”

– Charles Kettering

See acres of tractors, farm machinery, running hit or miss engines, steam engines, and related displays such as blacksmith demonstrations at the 30th anniversary show of the Tobacco Valley Flywheelers Gas And Steam Engine Club on Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19, at Haddam Meadows State Park, Route 154. Free admission and parking.

On the grounds that offer scenic views of the Connecticut River will be a flea market of related parts, manuals and other material. Anyone looking for technical help can most likely find a resource at this event.

“The purpose of this club is to stimulate interest in collecting, preserving, and exhibiting gasoline, oil, and steam engines, gas and steam tractors, power-driven farm machinery, and equipment of historical value,” said Randy Root, president and show co-organizer. “Founders are Ralph Waters, Hank Fiore, Don Husky, and others who got together and decided to have a show at the Portland fairgrounds in 1971.”

Now 170 members strong, the group holds a spring power-up and fall festival plus demonstrations at the recent Haddam Neck Fair and another at the upcoming Berlin Fair. Last year, they also participated in the Bristol Mum Festival.

“We have a tractor parade both days. We ask them their name and where they are from and each will tell us a little about their tractor.”

A highlight is the pedal tractor parade.

“We always try to encourage the kids,” said Russ Bengtson, treasurer and co-event organizer. “Everyone is a winner, they get a ribbon and a button.”

The Friends of Valley Railroad will be on hand too, to offer rides along the rails on either a hand-powered cart or a powered ride. (It's fun, free, but donations are welcome.)

“A flywheel is a rotating disk used as a storage device for kinetic energy.”

– Wikipedia

“Most of what we do is through our own funding, to bring the collections out to the public” explained Root. “Fairs donate to our club when we do a display. We also run a cook shack during our own annual show. Dues from members cover insurance and mailings. We keep a rainy day fund, in the event of two wash-out shows. What money we take in, we give it back to the community in a variety of ways, including to the fire department and ambulance corps.”

For Tobacco Valley Flywheelers information, call Randy Root (860) 346-6107 or Russ Bengtson (860) 347-5774. For marine engine collectors, here's a link to a Lathrop Engine Company in Mystic, Conn., story.