Glimpses of Meridian, Mississippi


Steam

Part 2

The Soulé Live Steam Festival

November 6th and 7th, 2009

This was the seventh year for the event- and it shows. It has matured into a world-class display and teaching museum on a par equal to and in many ways better than similar festivals and museums around the country. There are some larger steam events, there are some industrial museums that are large enough and visited enough to warrant being "full time" operations; but the Soulé Steam Feed Works working / teaching musem and the Soulé Live Steam Festival combine together into one of the most unique and spectacular events of it's type in the country. Expanded this year to two full days - both days saw very heavy visitor traffic - with displays in constant motion and in many cases - working production. All of the larger "portable" steam enignes on display last year were back again this year - while a few of the exhibitors with smaller engines were not able to return this year. However - there were more "new" exhibitors this year - and the outdoor display area was filled to capacity - and spilled out onto 4th Street (which was closed and served as a common area for some displays and vendors - and the food court). The museum personnel has done a remarkable job - both in the steam demonstration room, and in the Soulé factory - having ever more machines running - and actually doing work. The 2008 festival was a big success- but the 2009 show easily surpassed it in every way: The number and quality of displays; number of people available to demonstrate and explain, and most importantly - the number of people attending the event.


The pictures in this section are mostly of things new and / or different this year -
many things that were the same as previous years are pictured in Steam Part 1 and not featured here.

Southeast and Northeast outdoor display areas Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
In 2008 this central area was basically empty space. This year - the outdoor display area east of the buildings was full... - and spilled over onto the grassy lot on the north-east corner. The Tractors that were displayed on this grassy lot last year - were displayed on 4th Street (which was closed to make room for displays, vendors and the food court). The number, variety, and quality of hit-'n-miss engines on display this year was outstanding!
Large engine display area Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
The BIG portable engines were back again this year - though in different places.
Last year - the "Peerless" did duty "in the back" as the steam generator for the Steam Demonstration Room.
Steam generator duty - Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
This year that "duty" was assigned to this large engine - with it's high capacity to generate steam.
No one was quite sure how much steam was going to be needed - the engines in the Demonstration Room are one thing -
but a lot of people "testing" the new "steam whistle chorus line" was something new- and an unknown.
Steam whistles (and steam powered siren) Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
The "Chorus Line". At the start of the day - all of the handles were down in easy reach of the visitors. As loud as some of these were (particularly that incredibley loud steam siren on the north (left) end) - it didn't take long for most of the handles to be put up out of easy reach. That didn't stop any of them from sounding occasionally - but having to climb the ladder to reach did quiet things down some...
more steam whistles Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
The Chorus ensured a steady stream of visitors to both the giant steam engine doing steam generation duty -
and the North Entrance to the Steam Demonstration room.

The Steam Demonstration Room opened "Officially" last year (2008), even though a few items had been on display in 2007 as well.
However - it seemed to us that this year - the displays were much better, a LOT more engines running under steam,
and the overall presentation was considerably improved. The star again this year was, of course - the Watts Campbell "Corliss" engine.


Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine in the Steam Demonstration Room Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
A large twin cylinder winch was among the interesting engines powered up and running. These were often used in logging and similar industries.
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - cylinder Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - cylinder head Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
A one-half scale model of a Case 65 Horsepower tractor powering a large saw. In this case - the wood being cut is then burned to produce more steam to cut more wood. The saw in action is in the latest video.
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - piston rod Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - connecting rod and driven wheel Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - "Corliss" valves Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - closeup of one Corliss valve Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - coins standing on edge on cylinder blockSoule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - over-vue of valves cylinder Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - valve eccentric on crankshaft Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - closeup of valves Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - overvue of crank and flywheel Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - preparing the engine for the day's run. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - checking and lubing the rod packing. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Watt Campbell "Corliss" engine - checking and lubing the rod packing.  Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Soule' Spee-D-Twin - last one built (1984). Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
This is (in many people's opinion) the most significant item on display.
Soule' Spee-D-Twin - serial tag S/N 4301 last one built. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
While the label tells what it is - here is why it's significant:
Serial Number 4301 is the last Spee-D-Twin made.
This is not only the last engine made by Soulé (1984)-
it's the last known commercially built reciprocating steam engine made in the United States.
Soule' Spee-D-Twin - close-ups. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Soule' Spee-D-Twin -close-ups.
Be sure and check out the video of this engine running at the end of this section.
Troy vertical engine - under steam and running. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
This Troy vertical engine is one of the many engines running on steam this year...
Another vertical engine - under steam and running. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Skid mounted self-contained (complete with boiler) engine. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
One of the oldest displays - this skid mounted self-contained engine (complete with it's own boiler)
has had it's end of the building decorated with many patters, etc. that were used by the foundry.
Unusual chain driven govenor. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Somewhat unusual chain drive to the governor.
Several model steam engines in the semi-permanent display. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Semi-permanent display of working steam engine models.
Edison Institute Boiler Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Left - an "Edison Institute" boiler.                                          Right - another view of the steam engine model display.
Engines in the outdoor area - small model engine. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
The outdoor displays had some really unique engines in 2009.
Engines in the outdoor area - unusual dual pump. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Twin cylinder pump.
Engines in the outdoor area - several model engines powering model tools and equipment. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Engines in the outdoor area - model engine powering a model table saw and model grinding wheel.  Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Engines in the outdoor area - Large Engine display area. Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2009
Miniature Engines - Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2007
Check back soon! There's more to come (LOTS more!).
Spee - D - Twin - Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2007
Machine Shop - Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2007
Drive Shaft - Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2007
Belt transmission - Soule Live Steam Festival Meridian, MS 2007


All pictures and video sequences in this section taken with either a Minolta DiMage Z1 or a Minolta DiMage Z5

Email: Randy and Sherry Guttery - Comcents.com

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