[Steam-engine] Tod Engine Open House in September!!

[Tod Engine]

Gee did I do all of that??

Taking on a project like this isn't something that you do in your spare 
time.  It becomes your life.  I suppose the closest comparison would be that 
it takes about the same amount of effort as raising a child.  Much of what I 
know about engineering, historic preservation, steam power and business I 
learned because of neccessity brought on by the need to care for the engine.

I'm not a publicity hound and don't go around flaunting what I do or who I 
am.  I get uncomfortable in the spotlight.  That's why I tend to downplay my 
role in any of this.  The Tod Engine project is important to Youngstown's 
industrial heritage and to the nation's industrial heritage as well.  But I 
would be lying if I said that I didn't get a tremendous amount of enjoyment 
from each and every small success as I progress toward reaching the ultimate 
goal.  And you would be amazed the amount of stuff that has to be done that 
seems like it has no relation to the engine.  For example, funding this 
project is a constant concern.  So that led to the establishement of the Tod 
Engine Works which is a startup foundry business. Assuming the foundry 
business takes off and is successful it will help provide some money for the 
project without having to do alot of fundraising (i.e. begging for money).

This year is going to be a big year for us.  I've talked to the rigging 
company that we used last year and told him that by July we would be ready 
to move the rest of the parts to the museum site.  I know that's going to be 
about $10,000 or so, and we don't have a dime of that money now, but I have 
about six months or so until its needed so I'll be working overtime raising 
the funds needed.  I'll do that through the casting business, sale of some 
additional CD ROMS of steel industry information and drawings, and probably 
selling off some surplus stuff on ebay.  One way or another the money will 
get raised and the goal will be met.

Jim, thanks for the kind words.  I've got to get up to New York and see that 
Rice and Sargent engine that you saved. It would be nice to occasionally see 
a steam engine all together instead of looking at a bunch of parts!

Rick Rowlands
Executive Director
Tod Engine Heritage Park
William Tod 34" x 68" x 60" Cross Compound Steam Engine
Youngstown, OH
http://www.todengine.org/
Photo Albums Online: http://community.webshots.com/user/todengine




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Mackessy" <jmackess at twcny.rr.com>
To: "Steam-engine mailing list" <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 11:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Tod Engine Open House in September!!


> Rick, I think you're being a little too modest. Folks, during "all this
> time" Rick has
> been fundraising, researching, acquiring and preparing a site, negotiating
> for
> storage and moving, collecting oilers and other accessories the engine is 
> in
> need
> of, setting up a web site, incorporating a not for profit group, and 
> getting
> the
> engine recognized as an engineering landmark. I'm sure there's a lot more 
> I
> don't
> know about. I do know that Rick has invested plenty of his own money to
> preserve
> this engine and bring it to it's new home for display, and the care and
> feeding of
> this monster is not cheap. Considering that this is without a doubt one of
> the larger
> engines built in the golden age of steam, and that so many others have 
> been
> lost to
> the scrapper's torch, it represents one of the last opportunities to
> preserve this large of
> an engine.
>     Now, with the open house, another milestone is passed, and Ohio has
> another
> gathering place for live steamers from across the country. Outstanding 
> job,
> Rick!
> Jim Mackessy
> Syracuse, New York, USA
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tod Engine" <todengine at zoominternet.net>
> To: "Steam-engine mailing list" <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 9:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Tod Engine Open House in September!!
>
>
>>
>> The Tod engine was built in 1913 and operated until 1979 powering a six
>> stand rolling mill making tube rounds for the seamless tube mills at
>> Youngstown Sheet and Tube.  I think it was rated somewhere around 4,000
> hp.
>>
>> The engine was dismantled and saved by a group of members of the
> stationary
>> engine list between September, 1996 and June, 1997.  We are now moving it
> to
>> a new site for restoration and display.  Its been in storage all this
> time.
>>
>>
>> Rick Rowlands
>> Executive Director
>> Tod Engine Heritage Park
>> William Tod 34" x 68" x 60" Cross Compound Steam Engine
>> Youngstown, OH
>> http://www.todengine.org/
>> Photo Albums Online: http://community.webshots.com/user/todengine
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Lawrence Swanz" <LSwanz at superioriron.com>
>> To: "Steam-engine mailing list" 
>> <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>> Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 10:51 AM
>> Subject: RE: [Steam-engine] Tod Engine Open House in September!!
>>
>>
>> > Being that I am new to coming back to A.T.I.S., I'm sure that some
>> > discussion has already taken place over this very large and very unique
>> > piece of equipment.  But could you indulge me with a little back ground
> on
>> > the engine, such as the year it was built and what it empowered.  My
>> > curiosity is getting the better of me.  Thanks.
>> >
>> > Lawrence J. Swanz
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Steam-engine mailing list
>> > http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/steam-engine
>> >
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Steam-engine mailing list
>> http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/steam-engine
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Steam-engine mailing list
> http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/steam-engine
>