Lots of people head out over the Labor Day holiday weekend in search of a last summer hurrah, whether it’s another trip to the beach, or down to the riverfront to check out the Tri-State Regatta. There’s another great alternative just a few miles down the road that really generates some powerful fun every Labor Day weekend at the Hesston Steam Museum, just over the state line in Hesston, Indiana.
This year’s showcase will be punctuated by the unveiling of the newly restored 1911 #2 Porter Steam Locomotive that had been damaged by fire nearly 35 years ago in 1985.
The 1911 #2 Porter will make its debut at the Labor Day Steam & Power Show, just in time to carry guests around the scenic grounds of the Hesston Steam Museum at the annual show for the first time since 1985.
The #2 Porter was built in 1911 by H.K. Porter Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and operated in Guatemala for several years before returning to the U.S. and eventually finding a home at the Hesston Steam Museum. The engine was severely damaged in the 1985 engine house fire and has not run since.
Ted Rita, the Hesston Steam Museum’s General Manager, spearheaded the efforts to restore the locomotive. Rita, dedicated volunteers, enthusiasts and Ramsy’s Sheet Metal of Laporte and Midwest Metal Products of Michigan City contributed countless hours, materials and services to bring this amazing locomotive back to life in an eleven-year long restoration campaign.
When asked about his thoughts on #2 Porter running under steam for the first time in 34 years, Rita said: “With Porter #2 being fully operational, we have finally shaken off the last vestiges of the engine house fire. Every piece of affected equipment has now been restored. The infamous fire no longer defines our museum. We can now fully focus on our mission of presenting and preserving vintage steam equipment, and we look forward to thrilling our guests with a stable of amazing steam locomotives, tractors and large-scale equipment.”
The annual Hesston Steam & Power Show is a four-day event that runs over the Labor Day Weekend. Three railroads featuring full-scale narrow gauge, medium size and one-eighth scale with many trains on each will be running all weekend long.
Static displays featuring an Electric Light Plant as well as a working Sawmill, Steam Traction Engines, Threshing Machine demonstrations, Manitowoc Crawler Crane lifting demonstration, Noon Whistle and The Parade of Power at 3:00pm CDT.
You can find the Hesston Steam Museum 1201 E 1000 North in Hesston, Indiana, with operations running from August 30th to September 2nd from 10am to 5pm Central time.
Gate fees run $5 for adults and children under 13 are admitted free. Train ride tickets are available online at hesston.org or at the depot ticket office. There will be many outdoor festival food vendors, a flea market and a wide ranging family activity area also included in the event.
The Hesston Steam Museum is operated by the LaPorte County Historical Steam Society, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit. You can visit online at the link below for more information and details. Here’s the link: http://www.hesston.org
The photo of the restored locomotive accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of the Hesston Steam Museum.
