JOYCE BUPP
York Co. Correspondent
SEVEN VALLEYS (York
Co.)—Like many restorers of old
farm .tractors, Richard Reichard
started out working on a tractor
that had particular significance to
his own life.
That tractor, a 1937 F-12 Fai
mall, is the one (ie formed with
some 40 years ago after initially
having to do some restoration and
repairs to it at that time. '
“Then 20 yean ago our son.
Gene, and I ‘re-restored’ its"
Reichard said. Reichard said he { s
learned a great deal about equip
ment restoration over the yean,
some of it by the proverbial trial
and-error.
Reichard’s sentimental attach
ment to that piece of equipment is
apparent by the business card he
has had printed for his restoration
hobby, which the fondly dubbed
“Rich’s Retired Tracton.” -
The card features that 1937 Far
mall, sharing card space with mus
ical rotes signifying iris wife
Trudy’s piano and organ-playing
service.
Both the Reichards* volunteer
their talents for Sr .am-O-Rama,
the 38th annual e . ent of foe York
area based Early American Steam
Engine Society. The group has Its
own Steam-O-Rama grounds, sev
eral acres owned by the organiza
tion near Windsor in southeastern
York County.
This year’s Ster.m-O-Rama
runs Sept. 28 through Oct, 1 and
features Ford and Fordson tractors
and implements. In addition to
vintage steam and motorized
equipment of all sorts will be
demonstrations of threshing,
grinding baling, rock crushing, an
operating sawmill, and shingle
mill. Both horse pulls and a gar
den tractor pull are scheduled,
along with musical
Friday and Saturuiy evenings.
The popular flea market is
expected to draw more than 60
vendors. A 1946 VAC Case will
be given away in a fund-raiser
drawing.
Hope’s ‘Sparky’
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Fanning Staff
QUARRYVILLE (Lancaster
Co.) A steer that “jumps right
out at you*' shown by Hope Long,
Providence, was selected supreme
champion market steer Thursday
night at the Solanco Fair.
Hope, 10, daughter of Vickie
and Sam Long, Providence,
showed “Sparky," an Angus/
Chianina/Maine Anjou crossbred
weighing 1,263 pounds to supreme
market steer. Hope, in the sth
grade at New Providence Elemen
tary, said her father, Sam, helped
her choose the calf at Miller’s Club
Bryan Byers, left, won reserve champion market steer at
Solanco. John Hausner Judged the show. ,
York Countians Fired Up For Steam-O-Rama
“Our philosophy is to preserve
the heritage of early American
equipment for future generations
to appreciate,” said Reichard, one
of nine Steam-O-Rama directors
on the board of the 500-plus mem
bership organization. “We
emphasize family—kids, hus
bands, wives—and have third
generations active in the show. It
takes year-round planning.”
Games are held for the children,
along with covered wagon ridc|
by FnfokKn COuntian John Aron;,
who drives a team of mules. A,
miniature-sized railroad tp ride is
also a treat for the kid set, who can
qompare it tp the few full-size rail
cars dh display. ,
Size Pf the Steam-O-Rama has
doubled over the last five years
and threatens to outgrow the facil
ities, which include permanent
buildings and a heavily-used
kitchen. The facility also hosts a
large spring-season flea market
and is available for use by various
other community activities, with
the Steam-O-Rama groups man
ning the food service facility: This
active group also participates in
other regional shows, including a
large annual display at the York
Fair, done this year in a general
store theme.
Along with his own prized first
farming tractor, Reichard has
restored an Allis-Chalmers B that
is ‘Trudy’s tractor.”
“lie wanted me to drive a John
Deere for him in a parade one
lime; 1 told him I’d like to have a
tractor like my dad used when .1
was growing -up,” Trudy said.
Before too long, a model like the
one she remembered—complete
with wide front-end—turned up.
Lovingly restored, it’s the one she
now drives in the Steam-O-
Rama’s parade.
A 1941 John Deere 3 that
belonged to a neighbor, who had
purchased it new, also became
available later and was proudly
added to the collection.
“It’s fun to trace them'back and
find out for what and how they
were used by their owners,” Trudy
said. Having done some investiga-
Calf Sale in Woods boro; Md. The
calf is originally from Nebraska,
according to Sam.
John Hausner, who operates an
Angus breed farm with wife JoAnn
in Dover, said the champion was
very impressive. “You can’t say
enough good things about it.”
which exhibited a lot of meat and
muscle and depth of quarter,
according to Hausner.
Reserve champion was shown
by Bryan Byers, 16, son of Dave
and Carole Byers, Quarryville.
The 1,225-pound steer won
champion of the middle weight
division. The steer was obtained
live backtracking, they have since
located her father’s Allis Chal
mers and learned that the present
owner uses it for work with
potatoes—and wants to keep
doing so.
“What collectors grew up with
usually has a lot to do with what
they like. Often they begin look
ing for ‘Crania’s tractor’ and get
interested from there,” said
Richard, adding that he knows of
one New York state collector who
has a plaque on a restored tractor
dedicating it to his grandfather.
Old tractors, adds Reichard.
have even been fished out of river
beds to be restored by determined
collectors.
It's an artistic endeavor, say this
couple about the restoration work.
Research and historian skills are
needed, along with hard work and
patience, to restore an old piece of
equipment. Reichard has not only
had to track down hard-to-finl
parts for his tractors, sometimes
Richard and Trudy Ralehard with the tractors he has restored. “His” Is a John
Deers B he used In farming and “hers” Is a same model Allis-Chalmers used by her
father when Trudy was a child.
ights Up Solanco Steer Show
from Donny Waters, Airville, said
Bryan, a junior at Solanco High
School and Solanco FFA member.
In all, there were a total of 13
steers. Following is a list of show
placings.
MARKET STEERS
Lightweight (1024-1168 Ibl.); 1. J«on
. „ung,„ won supremo champion market steer at Solanco Thursday night.
She also won Junior champion showman. At left Is John Hausner, show Judge.
he resorts to making the repair
pieces he needs. Often, restorers
find they may need to gather a
couple of Tcctors to get adequate
ports together for one.
“I’ve learned you’d better not
try to do it all at one time; it’s not
quick to restore tractor right.
' Some rcstorationists tear them to
the very last bolt. You have to
clean, repair, put in hew seals,” he
said. While some old parts are
actually still in stock at a few com
panies, often replacement parts
are located by word-of-mouth,
publication advertisements or
large “tractor yards” replete with a
wide variety of old equipment
Watching young people
become involved in die Steam-O-
Rama and restoration work has
been especially rewarding to the
Reichards.
“We have kids that get Involved
and begin restoring tractors at a
fairly young age, even pre-teens,”
said Reichard. It keeps them busy.
Wood. 2. John Schmidt. 3. MHw Houghton.
Champion: Jaion Wood. Reaerva; John
Sdvnidt.
Mlddla Waight (1182-1226 lb*.): 1. Bryan
Byan. 2. Jaatlca Schmidt. 3. Gary Walk.
Champion: Bryan By era. Reaerve: Jeaalca
Schmidt.
Haavywaight (1263-1328 lb*.); 1. Jaion
Wood. 2. John Schmidt 3. Mika Houghton.
Champion: Jaion Wood. Raiarva; John
Schmidt.
-tnumbsr aMWM**
they learn respect for tools and
what they can do. and they acquire
skills that are useful all their lives.
’This is an equalize of people,”
he said. “People from all walks of
life are involved, in this, from
those with huge collections down
to the little guy with one. But it’s a
way of preserving the past. And
everyone is family.”
The Steam-O-Ramr organiza
ti ' n is already looking two yean
ahead to 1997, when it will cele
brate its 40th anniversary as a
group. And, in 1996, plans are
under Way to feature Allis-
Chalmers models at the annual
late September show.
Steam-O-Rama showgrounds
can be reached via Intentate-83.
From Exit 7. take Route 124 east
for 7.S miles to Manor Road and
turn right onto Manor Road for 1.3
miles to grounds.
Foi- more information, contact
Sue Knaub, (717) 244-2912;
Donald Anderson, (717)
244-2)39; or Gloria Peters, (717)
244-2954.
SUPREME MARKET STEER
Hope Long
RESERVE
Bryan Byers
SHOWMANSHIP
Juniors: 1. Hops Long. 2. Jsssles
Schmidt. 3. Jsrsmy Welle. Champion:
Hops Long. Rsssrvs: Jsssles Schmidt.
Seniors: 1. Jssh Krsidor. 2. Michael
Houghton. 3. Gary Walk. Champion: Josh
Krsidor. Rooervo: Mlehaol Houghton.