Steam at Hamilton, Illinois thresher show-Picture Keith Ladage

There is something magical to me about old steam engines. Steam trains, steam engines, water and heat working together seems natural. I know the engines take someone with a great knowledge and talent to run the old beauties and I appreciate the effort that the collectors take to bring these huge machines to shows.

Over the first weekend in August Keith and his brother Kim headed out to the Western Thresher Show in Hamilton, Illinois. This year they celebrated there 47th Annual Western Threshers Show that began like many as a group of collectors. They met in 1968 to decide how they wanted to display their growing collection of antique tractor.

I was unable to go, but enjoyed the pictures he brought back, and I hope you will too. Besides the thresher show held the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August, Thresher’s host school tours in May for hundreds of area children. For more information about the show, log onto www.westernillinoisthreshers.org/index.html

Keep in mind other chances to see steam in action are still coming up. In fact, next week, the 55th Annual Steam, Gas & Threshing Show held in Pinckneyville, Illinois is going on. The show is featuring Ford & Fordson and will be from August 14-17, 2014. Log onto http://www.americanthresherman.com for more information.