Redwood Region Logging Conference (RRLC)
Roots has provided historic
logging equipment for special community events such as the Redwood
Region Logging Conference. The conference, an annual event
showcasing new and old logging equipment and practices, alternates
between Eureka and Ukiah. Roots of Motive Power demonstrates
various pieces of historical equipment that document the history of
the logging industry. For the RRLC Ukiah shows, up to 10 pieces of
machinery from the Roots collection have been on display. On one of
the days school children from all over the county are invited to
tour the event.
For additional information see the RRLC website.
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Steam Engineering and Operating Safety Class
The Steam Engineering Class is divided into two
parts: a classroom session and a hands-on steam-up of machinery.
The classroom session covers legal and liability matters,
properties of steam, boiler construction, firing a boiler, the
steam engine, machine operation safety and many other aspects. The
outdoor session utilizes experienced Roots engineers as machinery
is steamed up, run and shut down.
Classes are for Roots members only.
Membership
application
To register for the
class send
1) Your name, address, phone number and email address
2) $50 payable to Roots of Motive Power
(please be sure to note that this is for the Steam Engineering
Class)
3) Membership application and fee, if applicable
to:
Roots of Motive
Power
P.O. Box 1540
Willits, CA 95490
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Pacific Coast Dream Machine Show
The Pacific Coast Dream Machine Show is a one day
event held at the Half Moon Bay airport. For past shows Roots of
Motive Power has demonstrated a variety of machines including steam
yarders, stationary steam engines and a winch, the steam roller,
and various caterpillar tractors. Equipment from the Roots
collection is loaded on trucks on Friday, delivered and set up at
Half Moon Bay on Saturday and loaded back up on Sunday after the
show for the return trip to Willits. This show has the greatest
attendance of any of our steam-ups throughout the year and attracts
people of all ages interested in the hundreds of antique/restored
cars and trucks, restored and vintage aircraft, small engines (hit
and miss, one-lunger) and the competition tractor pull.
Open to the public; entry fee
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More about Dream
Machine Show
Education Day
An important
function of Roots is education of the public about the bygone era
of steam power and the history of the north coast logging industry.
A favorite event of the year is Education Day which is designed to
give local students a taste of the past.
Open to local schools working through the Mendocino County
Museum
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Railroad Operation and Safety Class
The Railroad Operation and Safety Class was first given in
2003 as part of the Steam Engineering
Class, but it has become such an important function of Roots that
we have created a two-day class just for this topic. The weekend
includes a classroom session plus hands-on training. The training
will include the following subjects: coupling and uncoupling, air
hose connection, train movement signals and switch operation.
This class will be mandatory for anyone involved in operating
railroad equipment.
Classes are for Roots members only.
Membership
application
To register for the
class send
1) Your name, address, phone number and email address
2) $50 payable to Roots of Motive Power
(please be sure to note that this is for the Railroad Operation and Safety Class)
3) Membership application and fee, if applicable
to:
Roots of Motive
Power
P.O. Box 1540
Willits, CA 95490
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Willits Frontier Days
The annual July 4th celebration in Willits has become one of
Roots' main steam-up events since our first event in 1982 when we
operated our newly completed Murray Brothers spool donkey on
compressed air. As part of Frontier Days, which is sponsored by the
California Cowboys Association, Roots of Motive Power volunteers
steam up selected pieces of machinery and give tours of the
facility on July 4th only. Frontier Days is a week long event which
includes the July 4th parade and beef barbecue in the park,
carnival rides, rodeo, junior rodeo and events at the Mendocino
County Museum.
Steam-up is free and open to the public
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Roots Annual
Meeting
Election of officers, progress reports, equipment reports and
steam-up schedule for the coming year are the main agenda items.
Following the meeting there is a potluck supper. Time and place of
the meeting to be announced.
Open to Roots members
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Roots of
Motive Power Festival
The major steam-up event of the year is the Roots
of Motive Power Festival, held annually in September the weekend
after Labor Day at the Roots facility. Our work efforts throughout
the year are aimed at having every piece of operable equipment
under power. Plumes of steam and the shrieks of steam whistles will
fill the air as a variety of steam-powered equipment is fired
up.
In addition to the steam-up we reserve the
Recreation Grove Park across the street for the Early Day Gas
Engine Society and Bill Rose's Model A Tour group to set up
under the oaks. Late Saturday afternoon in the park we also hold
the annual Roots Appreciation BBQ and raffle which has become
legendary among the gourmet BBQ set. The smell of whole pigs
roasting on the spit draws a huge crowd for the perfect ending to a
wonderful day.
Steam-up is free and open to the public; charge for BBQ
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Holiday Model Train
Exhibit
In December 2003 and
January 2004 Roots held its first holiday model train exhibit. It was such a success that we plan to
make it a tradition. Model trains gathered from local collectors
are showcased in the Redwood Empire Railroad History wing of the
Mendocino County Museum.
Free and open to the
public
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Christmas Express
A Christmas party features Santa
arriving on a steam locomotive. Trees, trains, singing, carollers, and refreshments
make this an event for kids of all ages.
Free and open to the
public
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