I had an amazing Saturday 22 September 2018 attending the PERU VT fair, and the 20th Annual Autumn Round-Up: Antique Tractor & Machinery Show on the Barker Farm high in the Ludlow, VT hills. Please do revisit that post. But it was that adventure that son, Gary, and I planned, and set into motion to replicate this year.
Gary could not make it for the Dublin Show two weeks ago, but planned to join me for this year’s Peru Fair, and the Ludlow “hit n miss” show that traditionally follows the Dublin show by two weeks. Working out timing we decided we may skip Peru and just do Ludlow on Sunday.
Then I saw on WMUR the Pickle Festival in Winchester, NH, on Saturday, and we met there arriving minutes apart. But it looked overwhelming, we looked at craft and food booths (with long lines) and left saying, “now we have been.” Then it was Route 119 west to Route 63 north back to Walpole. And in Chesterfield, all of a sudden there was Old Home Days on the Common. Quick look at the few booths, and deciding not to join the hordes in the one food line.
Back heading north, I knew the best place to stop and eat was in Westmoreland — BARN AND THISTLE on the Common. Cathy Watson has always been in the hospitality field (including John Cooper’s in Walpole ages ago) and purchased this old country store in late 2021 opening the restaurant, bakery and gift shop. My recommendation, do not wait to make a trip for a meal – plan an outing ending there now. My second time there, I cannot wait to visit the ambience and enjoy a great meal again.
It was then home, and the usual silly things Gary and I do. We have no idea how we morph from one thing to another – but following dinner was the HARDY BOYS MYSTERY OF THE APPLEGATE TREASURE. Aired on the Mickey Mouse Club in 1956, we highly recommend you also spend 3 hours, 49 minutes and 30 seconds. But as we sadly learned the next night, THE MYSTERY OF GHOST FARM bombed and is not worth any time.
Then on Sunday it was off to Ludlow in BLACK BEAUTY. It ended up being a tad cold, but still a great ride to and back. My last visit in 2018 there was a nice crowd, and several cars exhibiting. I was again waved in to exhibit BLACK BEAUTY (1958 TR3A in case you forgot), but the only one on the field. Not many in attendance when we arrived around 11 (maybe they all came on Saturday as I did last time) – but what a great selection of engines and farm equipment driven by those engines. Below, as I recall, this engine weighs 6300 pounds, Chugging away, its history of use was on the placard.
This will be a visual post, but I wish to share (thus remembering) the unusual things we saw. Gary asked, and I explained that yes the pumping in a loop was for display, BUT of interest I saw the tractor seat attached at the left side. Obviously rigged up so a driver could hook up a horse to move this rig around, making this a very “mobile stationary engine”.
Unique cement mixer, but looking back this morning at 2018, I see I was impressed with this unit then as well.
Interesting how I “may forget” but again am intrigued by the same things. This engine is doing all the work churning butter in this c1877 Davis Swing Churn made right across the river from me at the Vermont Machinery Company in Bellows Falls. And, ironically I provided a video as well four years ago.
If there were no trees and no historic home behind my home, I could see the factory in Vermont (still standing) where this machine was made – the Abenaque Machine Works in Westminster Station, VT.
Curled up sleeping on an old bale of hay I thought I saw the Maytag Repair Man sporting a six foot long gray beard. And it was him, waiting for this 1936 Maytag gas engine powered washing machine to need him. The sign said the engine could drive other farm and home equipment as well. Walking away the unit’s owner ran up saying, “don’t you want to make a video?” I could not say no – so you have that now as well.
how can you not share an image of a 1915 “Sandwich Mud Sucker?”
On my last visit I shared an image of the family’s original 1923 Model T Ford Touring owned since new, and told you my Dad had me first drive his 1919 T Touring — well, sort of. On US Route 7, just below Bob’s Charcoal Stand in maybe about 1958 he pulled me over in front of him saying “now you steer.” And, I did – did not push any pedals on the planetary transmission, but did a few years later actually drive his favorite T – a 1910 Touring. Last visit I missed this unique spare which appears to have a studded boot around that could also hold chains — probably the only one extant. (Click to enlarge)
and, baling hay – quite an intricate assembly of gears and rods.
this machine was crushing apples with apple juice flowing out. Next to this a “hit n miss” engine was powering an ice cream maker.
the power take off on this tractor was powering a saw mill with an unattended 24 or 30 inch open circular blade spinning away. Trying to get the right photo angle I tripped over the leg of the bench sprawling forward — fortunately still far enough away from the blade. Gary and I did not see while walking around any one armed former saw mill operators.
The most fascinating piece at this show was this Drag Saw. Note the wheel arrangement, and Gary and I finally figured out what we were looking at. On the right end you can just see handles behind the saw blade for hand truck operation, but how do you move the unit with the wheels the way they are? Well upon close look, there are two axles shafts for each wheel, and at right angles. The wheels are in this position so you can move the saw unit down a log to cut off the next section. To move the unit to the next place to saw the cotter pin would be pulled, wheel pulled off and placed on the other shaft. With both moved off you go. Too bad you cannot see the inner workings of a “computer chip” to easily figure it out.
Dan Moore, owner of the farm and collector extraordinaire has some wonderful equipment that he shares. In this barn with wonderful items on display is this early snowmobile. But in the second image you can see he has even more varieties.
lined up is some amazing equipment Dan owns, and some not yet restored but in use at least providing some housing.
and across from the above line-up, more unique and original machines.
and, gas pump parts leaning up against this classic barn, moving a few things around this could be an award wining Vermont countryside image.
Did we have fun? Yes, and I am ready again not only to head to Ludlow, but back to Dublin next year. I saw another NH show advertised, but forgot to print out that link.
RAY RECOMMENDS – FIND and VISIT a countryside HIT N MISS gas engine and farm equipment show.
Thank you for letting me remember and share – hopefully more again soon, luv, RAY
Shunpiking with Ray 
I still remember hearing my first Hit and Miss engine…at Old Home Days with you and Cathy!
Thanks for bringing that memory back to me!
And, thanks for looking – yes the memories – that was in the parade, and if I am correct powering a lathe making spindles. Just finished your “over the border post” – great, thanks, RAY
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