Pappy painting prep @ our Steam Shop

"Pappy" - the 1917 Case 75HP traction engine restoration project has moved into high gear now that we're settled in our new home. Because of some parts delays we decided to move ahead and complete the painting of nearly all the engine components (the green stuff). Here are some photos of Pappy hours before the final green spraying began. We removed as many components as possible so they could be properly inspected, repaired, restored, and prepped for a quality paint job. then our Painters (George and Mike at Perfection Body Shop, Emeryville CA) came to our shop today and painted the remaining green components that were left on the engine. As you can see, there was quite a bit of preparation involved :-) Thank you to all the amazing KSW crew for pulling this off!

Photos of the fresh new "Case" green tomorrow!

-Cactus

Best Traction Engine in Rexburg Idaho

Sitting in the park in downtown Rexburg. She's in ruff shape but "good bones" as Dick Vennerbeck would say.

The Beamish Homestead

Here are some photos from the Beamish farm in Manitoba. Colin Beamish and father have an amazing collection of Case Traction Engines!

The Grasslands

What most of my day looked like. Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota.

Bismarck reenactment

If I were to fishtail around the parking lot of Century High School in Bismarck, North Dakota in a 24ft flatbed, it might look something like this. Of coarse this photo is a mock up for public purposes and dramatization.

The Billings powder keg is about to go up.

Marshal law was declared 6hrs ago here in Billings, I got in just as the National Guard closed the road and now I'm not sure if I'll be able to get out. The Governor had the power to the city shut off. There are roving gangs everywhere with all assortment of weaponry. There are cars flipped over and on fire all over down town. Not sure how much longer I have to report in about the uprising in Billings, but I'll stay on as long as I can with you so we caaohnerghreagrat4;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;...... . ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ....

just kidding :-)

So! @ the end of day two I've managed to rocket northward, stair-stepping my way across and up. Through out most of the day I was attacked by the Snake River and it is absolutely breathtaking. I made it into Idaho first thing this morning after pushing past Elko NV late late late last night. Nothing really stood out except how slow the natives drive until, there was a sudden gash in the earth and way @ the bottom was my first of several encounters with the Snake.

Truck is running great and how I wish it didn't have that bloodly speed governor on it :-( My directions were to take me through Yellowstone but there was construction or something that closed the road to through truck traffic, so I had skirt the park to the west which brought me right through Ennis Montana. The 40 miles or so before Ennis got a bit sketchy as there was a steady snow and the road was getting thick. Fortunately the elevation dropped again and it was smooth sailing all the way to Billings where I'm hold up @ this very moment.

Looks like I stop in Minot ND tomorrow afternoon and get an early start across the border on Monday morning. I was hoping to get in Canada tomorrow but I think that would be pushing it.

Ahhh Billings, smells like Martinez. night night.

-Mahatma Kane Jeeves

Case 75 parts - Manitoba mad dash

I’m departing for Manitoba today! Late this afternoon jumping in my shiny yellow Penske flatbed and I’m off. Heading to the hinterland to pick up a parts traction engine to replace some of the missing parts on Pappy (1917 75HP Case). This unit I’m picking up is also a Case 75 in pieces. It doesn’t have a boiler and is also missing some parts, but it’s got what counts.

I’m hoping to get to Elko NV tonight. Then it’s on through Twin Falls, Pocatello, Yellowstone, Billings, Bismarck, Minot, and into Manitoba. Heading north with lots of CD’s, IPod, straps, heaters, and the fire coat. At least in cold weather…all men are created equal :-)

D. Deschamps