Kevin Ackerman, the WDM’s chief steam operator, is at the throttle of a 75 Case steam traction engine — an 18,000-pound machine built in Wisconsin with 75 horsepower. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

TIME TRAVEL, SORT OF

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The hiss of steam and the rumble of iron filled the air at the Western Development Museum (WDM)’s Heritage Farm and Village in North Battleford on Aug. 16 and 17, as history rolled to life during the annual Parade of Power.

Horse-drawn wagons, vintage tractors and massive steam engines paraded before crowds as part of the museum’s History in Motion series, offering a chance to step back into Saskatchewan’s farming roots.

In all, more than 20 tractors and machines were showcased.

Kevin Ackerman, the WDM’s chief steam operator, was at the throttle of a 75 Case steam traction engine — an 18,000-pound machine built in Wisconsin with 75 horsepower.

“It was a steam traction engine that would have been coupled to a steam thrasher or to a plow, and in its day, it could actually plow 24 acres a day,” he said.

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(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Unlike modern tractors, Ackerman said, these giants require patience.

“This takes three hours to get going, and it runs on wood,” he said.

For him, it’s about more than machinery.

“It takes us back to the source. Takes us back to what farming was like in the 1890s early 19th century. It’s nice to know where we came from,” Ackerman said.

Among the volunteers was Percy Halliwell of Prince Albert, who helped run a 110-horsepower J.I. Case engine from 1916.

“It’s a rare tractor. It’s not that many of them survived. Many of them were cut up for scrap during the war,” he said.

Percy Halliwell, left, and David Russell (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

He explained the machine originally required a three-person crew to run — one to steer, another to manage the levers, and a fireman to keep wood burning in the firebox.

Halliwell said the challenge is part of the appeal.

“They’re unique, they’re different. They’re challenging to operate, they require a lot of maintenance because of their age. This engine is over 100 years old,” he said.

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

David Russell, also from Prince Albert, joined Halliwell in running the engine. A veteran of the pulp and paper industry, Russell said the work is a way to keep his connection to steam alive.

“It’s the chance to run and operate a piece of machinery like this that’s as old as it is, and look after it like it takes a little, like Percy said, a lot of care and tension. I enjoy doing that,” he said.

For these volunteers, the Parade of Power is more than a show, it’s a living link to the province’s past, kept alive one plume of steam at a time.

The day also featured blacksmithing, quilting, butter churning, family-friendly games and wagon rides.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com