Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

May 21-22, 2022
Forest City, IA

I highly recommend signing up for this class if you have any interest in learning to operate a full size traction engine! Class is only $75 for the weekend (meals included) and you will get plenty of hands on experience. There is a hotel right next door or camping at the show grounds. I have taken the Beginner class twice (had a year off in between due to covid) and will be attending the Advanced class this year and I would love to see someone from here attend. No experience required to join in on the fun.

I know there are quite a few from MN on here and this will also earn you 16 hours of the 50 required for your MN Hobby Boiler’s License

There are 48 of 50 beginner openings and 24 of 25 advanced openings

http://www.heritageparkofnorthiowa.com/events/steam-school

Heritage Park's Steam Engineer School is held to help promote and encourage the hobby of steam engineering. Two levels of classes are provided, a Beginners class and an Advanced class.

The Beginners Class requires no prior experience. Attendees of the seminar will be instructed in the safe operation and care of steam boilers and engines. Topics on boilers will include types of boilers, basic boiler operation, safety devices, proper boiler start up and shut down procedures, use of injectors and pumps, forced draft induction, firing a boiler under load, holding constant steam pressure and how to handle emergency situations. Steam engine topics will include basic operation of the steam engine, starting and stopping the engine, introductory levels of how the valve gear works, how a steam engine governor works and how to lubricate the engine and drive train.

The Advanced Class is for those students who have prior operator experience and have already attended a steam school somewhere and would like to get into more detailed aspects of boiler work and engine maintenance. Topics and hands on experience include boiler testing calculations, safety valve sizing, in depth engine timing, injector internal operation, horsepower calculations, tube installation and removal, steam gauge calibration, and bearing babbitting,

As part of the course, All Attendees will help prepare one or more steam traction engines for steam up. This will include washing the boiler, visually inspecting the boiler, ultrasonically testing the boiler, installing hand hole plates, checking for leaks as the boiler is filled with water, cleaning the flues and lubricating the engine and drive train. Students, under the supervision of experienced engineers, will steam-up one or more steam traction engines. They will have hands-on experience operating the steam traction engine including proper firing techniques, ways to check boiler water level, starting and stopping the injector and/or pump, starting and stopping the engine, maneuver the engine through a prearranged course and help trouble shoot problems.

Although Iowa does not require a license to operate steam boilers, Heritage Park of North Iowa has instituted their own operator licensing requirements. To that end, a test that is similar to the test required by the States of Minnesota and Ohio for their Hobby Steam Engineers License will be administered at the conclusion of the seminar for attendees wishing to become a licensed Heritage Park Engineer. All attendees successfully completing the seminar and test will be provided a certificate of completion. In addition to passing the Heritage Park Engineer’s written test, 50 hours of hands on experience is required and the student demonstrate their competence by performing a number of steam traction engineering operating tasks. Each task must be signed off by a Heritage Park licensed engineer.

Heritage Park's Steam Engineering School is accredited by the State of Minnesota and the State of Ohio. Those students who successfully complete the course will be given credit for 16 hours of experience toward the 50 required hours to get a Minnesota Hobby Engineer License.

The course is held the third weekend in May at Heritage Park's show grounds that is on the south edge of Forest City, Iowa. Tuition is $75 and includes the student handout, continental breakfast, lunch and break refreshments.This is an increase over the last several years, but as our cost go up we must pass the increases along. We still feel is is a tremendous value. Also we must ask that if you sign up you are committed to attending the class. We have had a number of last minute cancellations in the past that we were unable to fill. Tuition is due on the first day of class.

The school is limited to 50 Beginners and 25 Advanced. Registration can be done by clicking the links below.

3 weeks to go 

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https://whsiowa.org/event/steam-school/?fbclid=IwAR1eUCr9R0eMXemb4l6CqYGqbSGcVHH_otvJGseQrur0YYM3H8U5EgkeR4w

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I am signed up for the beginner class. (7 spots left as of today) I will be camping there.

Great news! Have you been to Forest City for the show?

Had a good time at steam school, was great to meet up and run an engine with Jeff (Inge)

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If you’re free on Monday after the show, you’re welcome to join in on the fun and get some more hours and tasks checked off cleaning up and putting engines away    I had a great opportunity late Sunday and was invited up on Jerred’s big 36 Rumely, so I didn’t mind helping clean it out on Monday 

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These Jeans will never be the same - haha
Very cool pictures Nick - you sure had a
great time,
Arnold

Nick
that's the plan. I will assist the day before the show for prep, and stay on Monday for the shut down/cleanup.

I just received notice that I passed the MN state historic boiler exam so will now obtain a MN Historical Boiler Operators license.  This required achieving 50 operating hours as an apprentice with class room work, and passing the test.  Thanks to Nick for helping me with the operating hours portion, and encouraging me to do this in the first place. Looking forward to working a few shows next year. I was sponsored by Todd and Joy Inglett, who let me operate their Nichols and Shepherd engine, and signed off on my hours.