You may recall the several “Hit ‘n Miss” engine events I have been to– in fact, to help me keep track, at the end of this post is a list of the various similar events I have attended, and you may wish to visit.

This meet at the Ebenezer Hinsdale Homestead and Historical Society in (yes) Hinsdale, NH, is new, this being the fifth year. Not having been before I had to attend.

Below the field, with small number of exhibitors compared to other shows — but just right.

In this gallery some different machines I do not recall seeing before. Remember you may click on my gallery images for larger views.

This exhibitor had a good number of display models – looking now I should have spent more time examining them and taking close-ups. NOTE TO SELF — Next Time ! ( note ! – I am not a fan of exclamation marks in writings submitted to me for publication)

what would one of my “hit n’ miss” visits be without a video for you to also enjoy the sounds?

Exhibitors enjoy sharing, teaching and educating interested attendees in what they have. Intrigued by this exhibit, the owner from Bennington, Vermont, came up and spent a great deal of time with me talking about Rural Electrification, and how farms handled electric power before wires reached them. You may wish to look back at my September 2015 explorations when I introduced you to Rural Electrification in New Hampshire.

The black object on the right below is a Delco-Light Power Stand – an electric motor to drive a belt to run equipment. The Power Stand is electrical receiving its power from batteries on a rural farm. Those batteries are charged by a generator designed for this rural farm use. The next image is that generator.

The generator and power panel to charge the batteries to provide minimal electrical power for fam use.

these original ads accompanied the exhibit – do click to enlarge to read about all the benefits of electricity and how to have it.

What is a “hit ‘n miss” show without a Maytag washer powered by a small gasoline engine?

I chatted with another fellow about his Model A Ford conversion with Fordson Tractor accessories. He then pointed out across the way this Fordson Tractor that was manufactured using a Model T Ford chassis and engine. I found both the conversion and this production model fascinating mechanically as compared to the Model T and A running gears that I am familiar with.

“Hit ‘n Miss” at work crushing stones and shucking corn.

And, just when you think you have seen it all. Eating lunch, I saw in the distance the front end of an old truck with the hood up. What connection does this exhibit have, so I headed over to the rig on a trailer. Well, instead of an engine, the compartment had been converted to a large barbecue grill. The propane tanks, and exhaust, are behind the “firewall.” I regret I did not take a larger overall view to share. As much as I like to have something different, I do not need to make one of these.

Leaving I crossed back over the “rail trail” to the parking field to retrieve GiGi and continue on our planned loop. That loop continuing through Hinsdale on Route 119, and then north on Route 10 at Winchester to Keene and home. Below is the Fort Hill Branch Rail Trail crossing through the grounds. It is an 8.9 mile long trail that runs alongside the Connecticut River in Hinsdale and continues into Brattleboro, Vermont. This trail, to the south at Dole Junction, joins the Ashuelot Branch Rail Trail. From Dole, the Ashuelot trail is 21 miles of gravel/dirt and parallels Route 63 into Hinsdale and then follows the Ashuelot River into Winchester. The trail continues to follow local roads through Winchester, Swanzey, and Keene, where it ends. I had to learn and share – check out the trail websites and enjoy.

Route 119 is a great road following the Ashelot River through Hinsdale, Ashuelot and into Winchester. Lots of old history along this route. Not many people may know where the old Hinsdale railroad station is, but I do know the back road south from the commercial area atop a hill to see it.

On 119 is this historic spot — long before the 1893 Duryea Motor Wagon in Springfield, MA, and Henry Ford with his QUADRICYCLE in 1896, a steam driven “automobile” travelled Hinsdale’s roads in 1875. I invite you to visit Hinsdale’s website for more history – I will let you find the Bigfoot Statue.

Route 119 is to the north following along the river which at one time had many mills. There is one road leading down to the river which you can capture nice views along the river, including this abandoned shell of a mill.

Very few buildings are in Asheulot (an unincorporated village of Winchester). But there is this covered bridge built in 1864-65, one of the state’s few surviving 19th-century covered bridges.

Crossing the bridge just off the road to the east is this old train station. The building next around the corner is an old Victorian Mansion, the Winchester Historical Society, but I have never found it open. For a change I followed the small road following the south of the river eventually joining Route 10, and turned north.

And, I made a stop, bought some books, and a BRIDGE. In 8th grade I successfully sold the Brooklyn Bridge to a number of classmates (before they compared notes). Now I own another real bridge to sell. Stay tuned.

And, for more ‘Hit ‘n Miss” adventures, here are links to my past adventures with them. Thank you for visiting and getting this far. Do remember this loop route and explore it. Stay well, RAY

2016 — 45th Annual Meet
2017 — 46th Annual Meet
2018 — “Canned Hams” on the field
2018 — similar Hit n Miss show in Ludlow, Vermont
2018 — 47th Annual Meet
2019 I did not attend since I was cruising – 2020 COVID
2021 — 49th Annual Meet
Sept 2022 – 50th Annual Meet