Alaskan Outback

I have always loved what some refer to as "Old Iron". These are massive engines that were used during the early days of the industrial revolution to make it spin. May of them are immensely heavy and work with very coarse systems that are largely constructed of cast iron. I own a couple of 20s vintage engines that I find to be both intriguing and also primitively innovative--if you will. My 3 hp McCormick-Deering engine weighs some 400lbs and has two massive fly wheels. 3 horse power! It has the same weight as a modern V8---but in my antiquated mind the old timer is more basic, more primal, a raw engine.

Interestingly, everything about the motor is understandable and repairable. I have read old accounts of farmers saying they bought one in 1923 and were still using it after the big war--and it had been run almost daily. At 600 rpms the wear was just not the same and if need be, the bearings could be changed in a few minutes.


Well, in wondering around the outback of Alaska north of Coldfoot in Weiseman, we ran into a treasure load of "Old Iron" all of it having been left over from the great Gold Rush almost 100 years ago and lingering into the 20s. As we wondered around town, we noticed the various hulks of left-overs scattered among the long abandoned buildings. Some of it almost completely overgrown and trying to go back to the soil but frequently and amazingly still free to turn---and probably still useable. In one instance, a local citizen, probably left over from the old days, had accumulated a sizable assemblage of nice "iron" in his yard where it became a rather interesting lesson in history.

The bulk of the equipment consisted of winches of various configuration. I always liked winches because they are a lot like wenches but less fun. The winches were all driven by attached steam engines that in some ways are very much like my old McCormick gas engine---pistons, cranks, babbet bearings, crankshafts & cylinders. The big difference being that the steam engines also had be attached to a large boiler that had to be close by. The boiler and engines had to be connected by a maze of hoses and pipes. The boiler was probably fired by wood but then Alaska has coal. It must have been a sight to see all of this
"iron" all fired up puffing and a steaming, clanging and spinning.

The idea of getting all this gear up north to Weisman and north of Fairbanks by more than 200 miles is something to ponder. It is all about finding gold, maybe about adventure, but wow, it had to be tough. All for gold.