Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Association — Attraction in Salisbury Township

This mechanical engineering holy ground is a place of spiritual renewal, a rare and special gem and is only opened only a couple of times a year, making it a bit like Briggadoon. So, what is it? It is a place where very dedicated hobbyists keep ancient coal/steam and gasoline engines in working/demonstratable order. You will see operating steam trains, steam tractors, and both giagantic and miniature steam engines that drove the industry of yesteryear. You will see how threshing was done hundreds of years ago, Amish speaking old order German as well as Mennonites. You'll eat home cooking, including sweet corn, home made sausage, home made carbonated beverages, whoopie pies, and wet bottom shoe fly pie. You'll see unique and marvelous mechanical contrivances including one of less than 5 working "atmosphere" Internal combustion engines designed by Otto himself (the guy who invented the 4 stroke internal combustion engine used today). Visit the web site for more information. The "Thresherman's reunion" is the seminal yearly event, usually going for 4 days from Wednesday to Saturday in the middle of August. There is also a Fall Harvest Days steam-up that is a weekend affair. This place is to mechanical invention as the Rainforest is to the foundations of...

We were here during the Rough and Tumble Engineers 74th Annual Threshermen's Reunion. Held 4 days. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday...mid-August. So very much more than a display of old tractors! Stationary steam engines. Hit and Miss gas engines. Live threshing demo. Crafts. Sawmill and shingle mill. Flea market. Steam Traction Engines. And yes, old tractors! I'll bet you haven't heard of most of these...I certainly hadn't.

Imagine 30 steam locomotives all lined up...side by side...except they aren't on a track! They drive through fields to take energy where it's needed. Huge machines! Some not so huge. And even "kid-sized" (and run) ones. You step back in time. Oh so much more than just looking at antique machinery...all of it works! And drives. And runs things. It is truly amazing!

Kinzers, PA just off Route 30. Free parking...with a tractor shuttle if you get there after the front parking lot is full. Opens 9am. There is food on the premises for purchase. Various demonstrations during the day. Quite the...

Excellent, excellent show. Great way to step back into history and see agriculture's humble beginnings into the industrial revolution. I enjoy it just as much as an adult sharing it with my kids as I did as a kid learning from my dad. Kids loved it (1-7). They loved guessing what some of the old hit and miss engine attachments were as well as seeing the old combines and tractors. They are growing up with all this new computerized machinery, so this helps give them an appreciation for where we are today. Thanks so much for the men and women that work all year long keeping these old relics working and put on a tremendous...