The Annual Steam Up In Willits

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By Terry Sites on September 12, 2024

Last Saturday and Sunday from 10-5 Willits was the place to be
if you fancy steam power. An organization called the “Roots of
Motive Power” celebrates each September by hauling out their
lovingly restored antique equipment. Visitors are treated to a
train ride around an oval track on a train that includes an
engine, a flatcar loaded with logs, two observation cars and a
caboose, especially popular with the kids. Some engines are
wood-fired and some oil-fired to create the steam power. A ride
includes all the sounds (steam whistles) and scents (smoke)
that existed in the old days.

There was a huge diesel engine on view that was used in more
modern logging operations in additional to some smaller “Steam
Donkeys” that were used to power cable winches that moved
fallen trees into position for transfer by rail or wagon.

The Roots of Motive Power organization “was founded in 1982 to
preserve and restore steam and diesel powered equipment used in
the California North Coast logging industry from the 1850s to
the present.” They are all volunteers keeping the vibrant
history of local steam power alive. Boasting an impressive 700
members, they meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 9-4. During
these meeting times the public is welcome to come and view
their historic collection for free. Their site is adjacent to
the Willits Museum at 400 E. Commercial St, in Willits.

A large shed on site houses a clubhouse and equipment being
renovated and restored. Some whimsical creations on display for
the this year’s Steam Up included an engine that popped a
hollow can up in the air on a stream of exhaust which fell
right back down into its original position as the quantity of
exhaust decreased — like a rocket launching then returning to
the launch pad. There was a steam-powered hacksaw and a steam
powered corn grinder. People were very inventive in finding
ways to use the power harnessed from steam. Lots of memorabilia
is also on display including the many tools routinely used to
maintain steam trains.

For this occasion a steam roller that is actually powered by
steam (where the original name came from) was put to use for
artistic purposes. This particular steamroller was in mint
condition with “Buffalo Springfield” prominently emblazoned on
the side. Could this be where the famous rock and roll group
got their unusual name? We looked it up and indeed it is!

Visitors were invited to carve small sheets of linoleum. These
were then inked, and placed on felt pads on the ground with a
sheet of paper on top of the lino. More felt pads were put on
top of that and then the “Buffalo Springfield” steamroller
rolled dramatically over the whole shebang. Removing the pads
and peeling the paper off the lino revealed some impressive
complete artwork (like an old letterpress). One artist in
attendance did some very large pieces that really looked
professional as they hung from the drying line. What a very
clever way to make the whole steam “motive power” thing come
alive!

All these activities were a chance to peel back the screen of
time and peek into how people lived in another day and time.
The same spirit that drives the technology explosion of our day
drove the inventive minds of yesteryear. They say that
Necessity is the Mother of Invention (to invoke another rock
band), and it is pretty hard to make an argument against this
truth. While we’re at it let’s not forget that “If you build a
better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your (Silicon
Valley) door”!

In Anderson Valley there is a parallel group of people who meet
regularly who call themselves the “Kimmies of the Codgy Moshe”
which loosely translated from the Boontling language means
“once young men and their old machines.” A trip to the Anderson
Valley Fairgrounds at fair time (this coming weekend) is an
opportunity to see a number of these cool “old machines” doing
their thing coaxed along by some friendly “once young men.”
Check it out.

A special thank you to Marvin Schenk and Bob Sites who attended
this event and provided the essential information for this
story.