WATER WORLD: A Show Featuring Pumps At The Blue Mountain Gas & Steam Show

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Pump found used as a mailbox stand.

969 Iron Bridge Rd Mount joy, Pennsylvania 17552

At the Blue Mountain show, I passed a lady wearing a tee shirt which said, 'If Mama's not happy, ain't nobody happy.' Well, this 'Mama' was very happy at the grove in Jacktown, Pennsylvania, on July 16th, 1998.

The best retirement benefit for a gas engine guy is the opportunity to arrive early and pick a choice spot at a show. All was quiet when we turned in the driveway. As I gazed at the well-manicured grounds, I could see there had been a lot of planning and preparation. In fact I was told about a group of men known as 'The Boys' who often meet at the grounds and on occasion at the diner in Bangor. They are the ones who keep the grove lookin' so good. They also do other club projects as well on a regular basis. These 'boys' are leaving a grand legacy for the younger generation.

This was the first I had seen the area that once had been dense, unusable underbrush transformed into a beautiful shady, grassy park-like setting. To make us comfortable and to add a friendly touch, unusual light-weight portable chairs which come in sections were set around the grounds. These chairs are easily moved at will to watch a demonstration or just to sit in the shade and reflect. I think Al Stickney asked Lloyd Osmun St., if the club would be interested in some chairs and he said, 'sure.' Lloyd has great vision and always wants everyone to be happy at the show. What a guy!

We chose a spot at the rear so we could have our truck camper with our display. As we finished setting up our display, it seemed the activity began. From our vantage point, we watched the many brands of tractors arrive and fill up their designated area. We saw huge dump trucks unload gigantic logs for the saw mill, and smaller logs for the drag saw, shingle and planer operations.

Also arriving and placed near the saw mill was an unusual machine called the Morgan Lock Corner Cutter manufactured in 1896. Among other things, it was used to make finger joint boxes for the shipment of Remington typewriters. It dawned on me that in the future people will be collecting old typewriters and kids will be asking, 'What are those things?' This machine is owned by Mark and Dawn Cromley from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania who work very hard: at their exhibit as they make souvenir finger joint boxes branded on the lid with the club's logo. The boxes made an unusual and useful souvenir.

Then came the truck bringing the gigantic In gersol-Rand oil engine once used at the I-R plant in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. This is an eight cylinder, 10¹/₂' bore, 12' stroke, 8308 CI, 1000 HP at 720 Max r.p.m. The engine was built in 1936. A diesel motor is used to start the big engine. When show time for this is about to begin, the engine guys pick up the four-seat benches, plunk them down, sit with their arms folded and watch it run. Although I could see no visible moving parts, the absolute power the emanates from it is fascinating. I have a picture of a giant piston once used in it. This engine is owned by Joe Stasyshyn.