Kewaunee County Star-News
USA TODAY NETWORK – WISCONSIN
The arguably coolest, definitely most interesting and most historic vehicle on the lot at Algoma Motors last fall wasn’t for sale, but it drew plenty of attention. It had to, because you sure can’t miss it.
Out on the front corner of the Buick-GMC dealership’s lot on State 54/Jefferson Street was a 98-year-old mechanical monstrosity. It’s “Big Jim,” a 24-75 Minneapolis steam engine built in 1924 by Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. The engine measures 22 feet long and 12 feet tall, and weighs about 32,000 pounds.
The Minneapolis is one of 12 antique steam engines built between 1890 and 1924 owned by 74-year-old Jim Rabas, who co-owns Algoma Motors with his brother, Jeff. Jim inherited the engines from his father,
