Time for dinner

Steam engines were used on special occasions to power the threshing of grain, sawing lumber and crushing stone.  Owning one was a huge investment.  The owner could help recoup some of his expenses by going from farm to farm and supplying portable steam-powered energy greater than anything else available at the time.

Steam engines burned coal or wood.  In some cases, they would even burn corn cobs, but they burned much faster.

Whistle Cord

Whistle

Steam

The machinery is massive, but it still takes a gentle touch to keep it running.

Standing in front of the firebox was a great place to stand on cold days, not so much in the middle of summer.