Hills of Iron, Silver and Gold, and Iron Mules

Back in January I backed my second Kickstarter, "Hills of Iron, Silver, and Gold".  I went for one of the biggest pledges, 3 "Hills of Iron" ("small"), and one each of Silver (medium), and Gold (Large). The arrived on my doorstep from the UK last week in a big, well padded box.

Hill of Iron #1. Is that nicely done, or what?!

Hill of Iron #2; each hill is unique. 

Hill of Iron #3; these "small" hills are roughly 15 x 24 cm. 

Hill of Silver; a "medium" hill, approximately 20 x 30 cm

Hill of Gold; a "large" hill, in this case partially with 2 levels. 

View of the escarpment end of the Hill of Gold; approximately 25 x 40 cm.



A week ago we attended the 5th annual antique tractor show at Topland Farms in Roxbury, CT, less than 5 miles from our home. The owner of the farm collects antique tractors and related farm equipment dating from 1911 to 1934. As y6ou can  see, the resmblance3 to locomotive engines can be striking in some of these old machines - at least 20 of which were powered up for the parade.

No rubber tires on these - all cast iron!

The collection includes 100's of these early machines, some weighing m ore than 10 tons!

I would imagine these must have been delivered by rail!

It is hard to see, but this model has a pipe running across the front of the tractor. It carries water from the engine, and has holes in the bottom of the pipe that lets the water cascade down  an open "radiator" of ? Canvas; the water is then piacked up from the pan at the bottom and reciculated to cool the engine!

Note the cast iron "treads"!

A much smaller, later model. 

Note the huge smokestack; this one chugged and backfired regularly, emitting lots of smoke, but drove along smoothly!

Note the enormous fly wheel; this seemed to be used in starting the engine. 

Look at the size of this one; there are far bigger ones in the 5 sheds housing other pieces of equipment. 

The resemblance to an "iron horse" is obvious here!

All of these were manufactured at various sites in the Midwest. It is likely they were only really useful there, where the ground was pretty much flat. 

A later, more compact version. 

Th tans at the back hold gasoline, kerosene, and water.

Note the huger smokestack once again.

Another, more "modern" tractor. 

 Still with the large fly wheel. Don't get your hand caught in that!

 Part of the parade from behind.

 Great for some new "Steampunk:" ideas, eh?

Note the hiuge smokestack again.

Yes, they can back up!

 Looks almost fragile compared to some of the others!

No canopy on this later model, but note the huge spikes for tread!

The Empress, Princess Kate and her husband, Greg, and grandsons Owen and Oliver. Owen (in carriage) LOVES tractors. I must have lifted him up onto the the drivers seat of at least 2 dozen!

There's actually a you-tube video of this year's show...