Steam Power Featured At The WDM

Saturday was another big step back in time as the Western Development Museum held their annual Blow Off Some Steam Day.

The day featured the Age of Steam which unofficially ran from the late 1700’s until the 1930’s. This is the time period in the Industrial Revolution when many machines were powered by steam.

Steam power was derived by heating water - usually with coal or wood - in an enclosed system where the water would boil creating steam, which would power machinery.

“Our purpose today was talking about steam, the history of steam and people get to experience train rides, and all sorts of experiences related to steam (power),” Alexis Jones programs and volunteer coordinator with the Moose Jaw WDM said.

THE WESTERN DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM HAD THEIR STEAM TRACTOR OUT - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO

The WDM displayed two steam powered vehicles as part of the day - a large steam tractor, and the working steam locomotive.

“People got to ride our locomotive, see our Case tractor and also do a coal scavenger hunt,” Jones said.

Although she didn’t have an exact attendance figure Jones thought the event brought at least another 300 people out to check out the museum.

“We’ve had a pretty steady flow of visitors today…I think it’s pretty good since this is our first official blow off steam event since pre-Covid.”

The K & S Potash Canada Short Line 101 was a popular attraction.

“The train was pretty popular today with visitors, and we will be running for the rest of August (on Saturdays and Sundays) and into the first weekend in September,” she said.

THE K & S CANADA SHORT LINE 101 WAS POPULAR WITH MUSEUM GORES - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO

In addition to the scavenger hunt, train ride, and the steam tractor on display there was also a conductor hat craft activity at the event, putt putt boats a train set, and a model train.

The model train was set up and ran by local hobbyist Michael Pitzel.

She said the event was not just to look at the past, but also to be in the past.

The train locomotive is over 100 years old being built in 1914.

Although it is not a full-size locomotive, that would’ve pulled the pioneers or settlers for many days to the Moose Jaw, another in western regions in order to find a homestead, it would be a similar ride.

“It’s to come out and experience history today.”

The next big event at the WDM is the powwow being held at the end of September.