They aren't the oldest earth moving equipment at the Historical Construction Equipment Association's exposition at Wilmington this weekend, but two steam-powered dirt diggers are the stars of the show.
The 1922 Erie Type B Channel Boom Steam Crane is the only one of its kind operating in the United States. The 1925 Erie Steam Shovel, is one of four or five still operational.
Both were rescued by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 and were restored at the union's sprawling training center on South Arsenal Road, where the HCEA's 28th annual International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition continues through Sunday afternoon.
Restoration required the molding and casting of many replacement parts. The steam shovel was completed in 2011; the crane last year.
Each machine requires two operators: one to stoke the firebox, monitor a series of gauges and steam control valves; the other to operate the boom and bucket or shovel.
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