EDGERTON — Screens and keyboards are nowhere to be found.
Components of an antique Fairbanks Morse engine are displayed on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton. Fairbanks Morse, of Beloit, specializes in large engines and is well represented on the grounds of the thresheree.
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Todd Ligman, president of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton, opens the door to a storage shed that houses a collection of vintage steam-powered tractors. The organization's 68th annual show is set for Labor Day weekend and features a wide range of vintage power equipment.
Rock River Thresheree president Todd Ligman looks over a collection of antique Fairbanks Morse engines. The engine on the left was built in 1930 and the engine on the right in 1945, both in Beloit.
Massive flywheels are part of the vintage engines that are on display in a building on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton. But they aren't static museum pieces — the engines are still operational and will be running over the Labor Day weekend.
A 6,000-square-foot building under construction on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree will eventually house seven Fairbanks Morse engines, some more than 90 years old. The effort comes from a $3 million donation from Tom and Michele Baer of United Alloy in Janesville, who rescued and then restored the engines, five of which were in a municipal powerhouse in Minnesota.
Photos: The grounds and machines of the Rock River Thresheree
Massive flywheels are part of the vintage engines that are on display in a building on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton. But they aren't static museum pieces — the engines are still operational and will be running over the Labor Day weekend.
Fairbanks Morse has been known for more than 100 years as a manufacturer of large engines but for a time, the Beloit company also made steam-powered tractors, like this one in a storage shed at the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton.
An antique Fairbanks Morse tractor is among a collection of steam-powered farm implements held in the collection of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton, Wis. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Components of an antique Fairbanks Morse engine are displayed on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton. Fairbanks Morse, of Beloit, specializes in large engines and is well represented on the grounds of the thresheree.
Rock River Thresheree president Todd Ligman looks over a collection of antique Fairbanks Morse engines. The engine on the left was built in 1930 and the engine on the right in 1945, both in Beloit.
Todd Ligman, president of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton, opens the door to a storage shed that houses a collection of vintage steam-powered tractors. The organization's 68th annual show is set for Labor Day weekend and features a wide range of vintage power equipment.
Vintage steam engines manufactured by the Fairbanks Morse Company and recently acquired by the Rock River Thresheree, await completion of a new display space for them on the grounds of the thresheree near Edgerton, Wis. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 6,000-square-foot building under construction on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree will eventually house seven Fairbanks Morse engines, some more than 90 years old. The effort comes from a $3 million donation from Tom and Michele Baer of United Alloy in Janesville, who rescued and then restored the engines, five of which were in a municipal powerhouse in Minnesota.
Tools and ntique artifacts related to steam engine power generation are displayed on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Antique artifacts related to steam engine power generation share a display case on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton.
Antique steam engines share a display warehouse on the grounds of the Rock River Thresheree near Edgerton, Wis. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Pictured is thresheree president Todd Ligman. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A steam train escorts visitors through the grounds of the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
An exhibitor guides a steam-powered tractor during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in 2017. An estimated 15,000 people could attend this year's show over Labor Day Weekend.
Jon Theuissen of North Prairie, Wis. tends a blacksmithing forge during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Liam Dancey of Sycamore, Wis. helps operate a 1909 steam-powered pile driver during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Tony Lauer of Madison, Wis. operates a 1909 steam-powered pile driver during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Permanent displays of manufacturing engines draw the interest of visitors to the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Visitors explore vintage tractors during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Blacksmith Kurt Doberstein of Waukegan, Ill works on an iron piece during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Permanent displays of manufacturing engines draw the interest of visitors to the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Ten-year-old Alli Gilbertson explores the wheel of a 1917 Gaar-Scott traction engine while her uncle Randy Gilbertson greases the machine's components during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
An exhibitor guides a steam-powered tractor during the opening day of the 61st annual Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton, Wis., Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. Continuing through Monday, the event features operating displays of historic agricultural and industrial implements and engines, tradesmith demonstrations, steam engine rides and other activities related to early 20th century American life. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com.
