Steam Car Blog

to Friends who like Steam Car Network5 hrs ·

I am looking for a steam powered air pump for my '03 Grout under restoration. The original info I have says the car did have one from new.
The car has been in the family since the early '60s never having one present. Can anyone help?
Thanks, Billings Cooke

There are some replies in Friends of Steamcarnetwork Facebook

Contact info for Billings Cooke.
bacooke53@ gmail.com
Any help with this pump would be great.

Billings Cooke1 hr

With 3" of snow on the ground,it's safe to say steaming season in Vermont is finished. I've resumed work on my 1903 Grout. This car is a model J drop front.
When I stopped working last spring I had started to get the front body braces refit. Orginal parts, New wood, New holes.
All pieces fit, removed and primed, then final fit.
This winter will also see a rebuild of the 1912 Stanley's rear axle. Time, time, time.

Check out this video of the Jimmy Built Steam Car, being prepared for the 2017 Sema Show in Las Vegas.

Stanley Museum15 hrs ·

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Stanley Museum Advisor and former Trustee, Frank Hix, in Estes Park, Colorado. Our condolences to his family and friends, and to all his long associates at the Estes Park Museum, the Stanley Museum, and the steam community.

A few of Andi Meads photos of the tour sent for publishing. Check out the face book page for all 285 photos.

Founded in 1900 by Major D Porter of New York, inventor of the Porter Electric Motor, the Porter Motor Co. of 950 Tremont Building, Boston Massachusetts, claimed to build “The Only Perfect Automobile”. In that case, perfection was too much for the average American of the time, as the company folded in 1901.
Many claims were made by Major D Porter (Major being his Christian name, not a rank). Automatic water control, a perfect burner, a fuel and water supply that will last 60 miles; all to be made in a 100 ft x 35ft factory “within a mile of the business section of the city” that is “well fitted for building motor carriages”.
All wishful thinking. Further research carried out by my friend Keith Burton during his visit to Boston revealed that Major D Porter’s occupation was a “Patentor”, writing patents for other people’s inventions for a living hoping to live off the royalties. His own inventions included the before mentioned electric motor and a Fibre Container, very similar to modern day Cardboard Milk Containers. However, at the time, it seems his income was slight; he and his family shared a modest house with another family in Boston; the company office of 950 Tremont building, was in fact a hotel-9th floor, 50th room. It seems that a factory, of the type previously described, was built, the building surviving until recently. However, it appears Major Dane Porter was ultimately arrested for Larceny of upward of $3000 . A Canadian by birth, he attempted to repatriate to Canada towards the end of his life, and indeed, died there in 1918, aged 59.

Ray Clark and his brother Chris once again put on a very much appreciated coffee and water stop at Redhill, the half way point. Thank you to Ray and Chris for doing this yet again.

It is a his and hers bulb horn. One bulb either side of car.

A few of the Steam cars taking part in the 2017 London to Brighton run. Courtsey of Martin Nutter.