Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association in Pawnee, Oklahoma

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Pawnee, Oklahoma · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Rail preservation groupAnnual show the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May at Steam Engine Park

The Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association is an all-volunteer club in Pawnee that restores and runs the steam engines, gas tractors and machinery of rural Oklahoma, and opens its Steam Engine Park to the public each May.

  • Show held every May
  • 100-ton Corliss steam engine
  • Evening steam spark show
  • Kids under 12 free
  • All-volunteer club

Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association at a glance

Hours
Annual show, first Thursday to Saturday in May, 8 am to 5 pm daily, plus evening events
Admission
$10 per person per day; kids under 12 free; members free
Seasonal events
Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show, School Days, Parade of Power, Spark Show, Kiddie Tractor Pull
Plan for
Half a day to a full day
Best for
Families, farm machinery fans and anyone who loves steam
Best ages
Ages 3 and up
Accessibility
Small golf carts and side-by-sides are allowed only for members with a grounds permit, a handicap permit and insurance.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Pawnee.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Pawnee's steam club and the machines that built rural Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association, known by its members as OST&GEA, set out to preserve and celebrate rural farm life and the machinery that made it possible. Its members restore, run and show antique farm equipment, with steam engines, gas tractors and gas engines at the core, and the annual show in Pawnee has been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years, according to Green Country tourism.

Home base is Steam Engine Park on East Beck Drive in Pawnee, where the club's Headquarters Building hosts seven general meetings a year, each with a Board meeting in the morning and a noon meal at the Thresher's Diner. The club is entirely volunteer run; no officer or director is paid. Its leaders stress that you do not need to own a single engine to join, only an interest in history, a willingness to learn and enthusiasm for teamwork.

Beyond its own show, the association takes its machines on the road. Members have appeared in Christmas parades, at the Oklahoma State Capitol, at the Tulsa State Fair in several years, and at shows such as Route 66 Flywheelers in Catoosa, Wilson County Old Iron Days in Fredonia, Kansas and the Major County Historical Society Threshing Bee in Fairview. The association does not list railroad equipment among its exhibits; its link to rail history is the steam power that once drove farms, mills and locomotives alike.

Three days of steam, smoke and sawdust at Steam Engine Park

The show runs 8 am to 5 pm each day, and the grounds are full of working machines. One listing counts 15 to 20 operating steam traction engines. The centerpiece is a 100-ton Corliss steam engine in the Power House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and there are daily powerhouse demonstrations and lectures. Nearby you can watch a steam-powered sawmill and shingle mill, a line-shaft machine shop, blacksmiths at work, cornmeal grinding, a rock crusher and horsepower testing at the Prony brake.

Out in the fields, old-time wheat threshing and plowing demonstrations show how the machines earned their keep. A steam whistle marks noon, steam games and tractor games follow, and the Parade of Power rolls through each afternoon at 4 pm. After dark on show nights, the steam engines put on a spark show, throwing burning cinders 50 to 60 feet into the air. Food vendors, arts and crafts, bluegrass and live music fill out the day.

Don’t miss

  1. The 100-ton Corliss engineA massive stationary steam engine in the Power House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and shown in daily demonstrations.
  2. The spark showAt night the steam engines throw glowing cinders 50 to 60 feet high, a sight that sums up the raw power of steam.
  3. Steam-powered sawmill and shingle millWatch logs become lumber and shingles the way they did before electric motors.
  4. Parade of PowerEvery afternoon at 4 pm the engines and tractors parade across the grounds.
  5. Line-shaft machine shopAn early twentieth-century style shop where belts and shafts drive every machine.

Kiddie tractor pulls, steam whistles and sparks

Children under 12 get in free, and Thursday and Friday are School Days, when classes that come with a teacher are admitted free. Saturday morning brings a sanctioned Kiddie Tractor Pull at 10 am, and the noon steam whistle, the Parade of Power and the evening spark show are easy wins for young kids.

The show is outdoors on a big working grounds, with hot machinery and moving equipment everywhere, so keep little ones close. Only adults may drive the small golf carts allowed on the grounds, and the speed limit is 5 mph.

Plan your visit: tips for Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association

  • Bring the kids on Saturday for the 10 am Kiddie Tractor Pull.
  • Stay into the evening for the steam spark show.
  • School groups with a teacher get in free on Thursday and Friday.
  • A $25 membership covers show admission every year for an individual or family.

The big event is the Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show each May, and the association also turns out for Christmas parades in the region. For holiday train rides elsewhere in the state, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Oklahoma.

An all-volunteer club you can join without an engine

OST&GEA is run entirely by volunteers, and no officer or director is paid. Individual and family memberships are $25 a year, include free show admission and the newsletter The Flywheel six times a year, and can be bought online, by mail to PO Box 472 in Pawnee, or at a General Membership Meeting at Steam Engine Park.

Rail history within a drive of Pawnee

Tulsa's Route 66 Historical Village, with its Frisco steam locomotive, is about 47 miles away. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie is also about 47 miles, and the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma in Enid is about 60 miles. Browse more train museums in Oklahoma.

Every train museum in Oklahoma

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The spark show here happens after dark, when steam engines send glowing cinders high into the night. It reminds me of the tunnel in our book, when everything goes dark around Rally and then a big bright light bursts in and everyone cheers. Kids hold their breath in the dark and then light up right along with it. My mom wrote that moment into the story she dreamed up, and our story tells how it became a book.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

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More for train families

Work or volunteer at Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Oklahoma Steam Threshers Show in Pawnee: 20 questions answered

When is the Oklahoma Steam Threshers show in Pawnee?

The Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show is held each year in Pawnee on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May. Gates open at 8 am and the show runs to 5 pm daily, with evening events such as the spark show. Check oklahomathreshers.org for the exact dates and schedule before you go.

Where is the Oklahoma Steam Threshers show held?

The show is held at Steam Engine Park in Pawnee, Oklahoma, on the steam park grounds. The association's Headquarters Building is at 409 E. Beck Drive. General visitors use the West Gate; the East Gate is reserved for exhibitors during show hours.

How much are tickets to the Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show?

As of October 2026, single-day admission is $10 per person. Kids under 12 are free, association members are free, and high school and college students with a valid school photo ID pay half price. School classes that come with a teacher on Thursday or Friday are admitted free.

What can you see at the Oklahoma Steam Threshers show?

Expect steam traction engines, gas tractors and engines, a 100-ton Corliss steam engine in the Power House, a steam-powered sawmill and shingle mill, a line-shaft machine shop, blacksmithing, cornmeal grinding, wheat threshing, plowing and old-time living demonstrations, plus food, crafts and bluegrass music.

Does the Oklahoma Steam Threshers association have trains or a railroad collection?

The association does not list railroad equipment among its exhibits. Its focus is steam engines, gas tractors and farm machinery. Rail fans who love steam will still find plenty to watch, from steam traction engines to the 100-ton Corliss engine, but call (918) 303-2474 if you are hoping to see rail equipment specifically.

What is the Corliss steam engine in Pawnee?

It is a 100-ton Corliss steam engine housed in the Power House at Steam Engine Park, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the show, volunteers run powerhouse demonstrations at 11 am and give a powerhouse lecture at 2 pm on Thursday and Friday.

What is the spark show at the Pawnee steam show?

After dark, the steam engines put on a spark show, blowing burning cinders 50 to 60 feet into the air. The schedule lists a Dark Spark Show at the Prony brake on Friday evening. Dress for the outdoors and keep kids a safe distance back.

Is the Oklahoma Steam Threshers show good for kids?

Yes. Kids under 12 get in free, and there is plenty to see in motion. Saturday morning has a sanctioned Kiddie Tractor Pull at 10 am, the noon steam whistle blows every show day, and the afternoon Parade of Power and evening spark show are favorites. Keep children close around the working machines.

What are School Days at the Pawnee steam show?

Thursday and Friday of the show are School Days. School groups that attend as a class with a teacher are admitted free, which makes it an affordable field trip. Old-time threshing lectures, powerhouse demonstrations and plowing give students a hands-on look at how farms once worked.

What is the Parade of Power?

The Parade of Power is a daily parade of engines and tractors across the show grounds at 4 pm. During the parade, the East Gate is locked to vehicles except emergency responders. Pick a spot along the route early if you want a good view for the kids.

How long should I spend at the Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show?

Plan on at least half a day. Gates open at 8 am and demonstrations run through 5 pm, with threshing, plowing, powerhouse demonstrations, games and the 4 pm Parade of Power spread across the day. Staying for an evening event such as the spark show makes it a full day.

How do I join the Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association?

Individual and family memberships are $25 a year and include free show admission and the newsletter The Flywheel, mailed six times a year. Join online, mail an application with a check or money order to OST&GEA, PO Box 472, Pawnee, OK 74058, or join at a General Membership Meeting. You do not need to own equipment.

When does the Oklahoma Steam Threshers association meet?

General Membership Meetings are held in the Headquarters Building at Steam Engine Park on the second Sunday of January, February, March, April, June, August and October. The Board meets at 10 am, the Thresher's Diner serves at noon, and the general meeting starts at 12:30 pm. Members may attend Board meetings.

Can I show my own engine at the Pawnee steam show?

Yes. There is no charge for exhibitors, and setup is open all day Wednesday before the show. Exhibitors must register on arrival in the Headquarters Building, and the association offers equipment pre-registration online or by printed form. Call (918) 303-2474 or email show@oklahomathreshers.org with questions.

Are golf carts allowed at the Oklahoma Steam Threshers show?

Only small golf carts and side-by-sides, and only for drivers who have a current show grounds permit, a valid handicap permit, valid insurance and an active OST&GEA membership. Large carts are not permitted, only adults may drive, and the speed limit is 5 mph on the grounds.

Is there food at the Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Show?

Yes. Food vendors are on the grounds during the show, along with arts and crafts booths, retail vendors and live entertainment, including bluegrass music in the pavilion at noon. Bring water and sun protection too, since most of the show is outdoors in the Oklahoma spring.

How long has the Pawnee steam show been running?

Green Country tourism says the Oklahoma Steam Threshing and Gas Engine Show has been entertaining audiences with steam engines, gas engines and tractors for over 50 years. The club remains all volunteer, with members restoring and running the equipment themselves.

Where else can I see the Oklahoma Steam Threshers' machines?

The association takes part in Christmas parades and community events, has appeared at the Oklahoma State Capitol and the Tulsa State Fair, and exhibits at shows such as Route 66 Flywheelers in Catoosa, Wilson County Old Iron Days in Fredonia, Kansas and the Major County Historical Society Threshing Bee in Fairview.

How do I contact the Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association?

Call (918) 303-2474, email info@oklahomathreshers.org for general questions or show@oklahomathreshers.org about the show, or write to OST&GEA, PO Box 472, Pawnee, OK 74058. The club also posts show news and updates on its Facebook and Instagram pages, which is a good place to check for schedule changes close to show week.

What train museums are near Pawnee, Oklahoma?

Tulsa's Route 66 Historical Village, with the Frisco 4500 steam locomotive, is about 47 miles away. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie is also about 47 miles, the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma in Enid about 60 miles, and the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City, with train rides, about 69 miles.

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