Heritage: Milton Steam Era

A 1913 Sawyer-Massey steam tractor moved around the grounds at the Milton Steam Era festival on 5-September-2009

TORONTO, ONTARIO - In 2009, Milton, Ontario seems like a somewhat odd location for a historic tractor show. Most such shows take place in rural areas surrounded by miles and miles of farms. Milton now has hourly or better transit connections to Toronto and zero-lot housing development bolstering its population. However, as it has almost since World War II, the Milton fairgrounds still plays host to the "Steam Era" show each Labour Day weekend.


A view over the boiler was obtained while riding behind a steam tractor at the Steam Era show in Milton, Ontario on 5-September-2009

A highlight of show, of course, are the steam tractors. Many of the steam tractors present came from the Ontario Steam Heritage Museum in Puslinch, Ontario. These enormous tractors are operational, and moved about the fairgrounds throughout the weekend, including one serving as a "people mover" so that people could experience the thrill of riding behind one of these early 20th-century beasts.


A line of classic Ford tractors was typical of the many groups on display at the Milton Steam Era festival on 5-September-2009

The bulk of the tractors, though, were diesels. Most were from a classic era of diesel tractors, which in the case of one manufacturer, John Deere, lasted as long as two-cylinder engines were adequate to power the tractors. The population of tractors from the 1920's to the post-World War II era was simply incredible. Even rare one-cylinder models from several European manufacturers were present.


A John Deere model 620 orchard tractor, with extra sheet metal to protect against branches, was in the parade returning to the Milton Steam Era site on 5-September-2009

Motion was really the dominant theme of Steam Era. Tractors were in moving for a parade through Milton, for a threshing content, and for the ever-popular tractor pull contests. Other activities included displays of classic automobiles, a country music contest, and the perennial favorite corn roast.


A classic Farmall tractor participated in the tractor pull at the Milton Steam Era festival on 5-September-2009

Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the Steam Era event, with a variety of retrospective displays related to the first decade of Steam Era shows. Those interested should mark it on their calendars for Labour Day weekend!