Item PH26926 - Cookstown steam show attracts 6,000 people

"There weren't many empty parking spots in Cookstown this weekend when 6,000 people came to see the annual display of steam and antique gas machines. Tim Smith of Maple, said his father's steam powered car was "not hard to drive if you've never driven anything else". The extra pedals confuse experienced gas car drivers. Brian Burns, director of the show, says steam power went out of style in 1928. Gas tractors were introduced in 1900 but they weren't very reliable. When the wrinkles were taken out of the gas tractor, farmers began to give up their steam machines. Gas was much more convenient."