There’s an old saying that says “something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.” One of the best ways to find out what something is worth is at an auction. Automotive and farm auctions are pretty common in parts of the country and this auction looks like a good one. It is the liquidation of Alan and Marcella Schurman’s Iron Ranch in Ridgefield, Washington. You can find all the photos and auction information here on aumannauctions.com. The sale is so huge, it will take place as 12 separate events! Unfortunately, this auction is online-only (which is the trend of the last few years). Auction houses realize they can reach a much larger audience through an online auction versus a live auction where you might have a few hundred people at most. In any event, this will be a great sale! Let’s check out some of the highlights and thanks to Michael H. for the tip on this great auction!
The amount of vehicles, tractors, and oddballs (like the caboose above) is so extensive, you’ll need to check out the list on the auction page. There are literally dozens of tractors, work engines, and steam engines and vehicles. Some of the highlights of the vehicles include the following: 1922 Stanley Steamer, Cartercar Model R Coupe, Case Touring Car, Mack AB Truck, International Auto-Buggy, 1920 White Truck, 1931 Ford Model A, 1933 Ford V8 Sedan, 1934 Ford V8 Sedan, and other Model T’s and Model A’s. In fact, the Schurman’s collection was so extensive it was featured on the History Channel show American Pickers!
Here are a few of the tractors. These almost look like go-kart projects. I’m definitely not a tractor expert, but these ones caught my eye. Overall, what do you think of this collection? Do you think you’ll be a bidder at this auction? What would you bid on?
Holy crap, what a pack rat! Couldn’t find anything on the caboose. Maybe it’s in another auction?
Some interesting steam tractors listed there, always enjoyed seeing them in action.
Heard about problems with restoring old steam tractors, they tend to blow up…
I’m no expert on these, but I do know the boilers are supposed to be pressure tested and certified to be safe at whatever operating pressure was specified by the manufacturer OR the latest safety standards, whichever is higher.
To run one without proper safety inspections/certifications and properly operating blow-off valves is a recipe for utter disaster and potential loss of life.
In Canada the boilers have to be rebuilt and recertifed. I have a friend that works on steam locomotives in Calgary at Heritage Park and restoring a boiler is a big process and everything has to be x rayed. All safety valves are rebuilt and re certified as well. When you do it right you don’t really need to worry about it blowing up.
Most states require a boiler certification for historic , Iowa being one exception. Usually boiler accidents are operator error. I have a 1881 Case portable steam engine so I know something about the subject.
Having lived in that part of the country, there are a number of such huge collections. There’s one guy about 10 miles away with dozens of old marine engines – I’m talking about gigantic multi cylinder diesels 20 -30 feet in length or longer and hundreds of tractors, cars and trucks. These surround his home that constitutes a mansion, this was never a junkyard! Further south in Brooks, OR there is an entire museum devoted to old steam engines, farm and logging equipment and more. I think it’s called Antique Powerland.
A caboose would be the ultimate man cave, and a great place to set up your Lionels or American Flyers. Or even a ham shack.