The 19th century was back in Moose Jaw on Saturday at the Western Development Museum. Blow Off Some Steam Day had trains, locomotive wagon rides, ice cream by the Cone Artist, and tons of old fashioned cars on show. Dean Redman, engineer and train operator, explained the event.

"We have a big event here today, that all-encompasses what steam was like back in 1890 up to 1940 and 50. The engine that I operate is the Vulcan Locomotive, which was a coal mining engine, and we also have operators out in the parking lot operating a 75 horse case that is giving people rides."

The engine in the parking lot was a massive machine much like a steam-powered tractor, which was fully rebuilt by the Western Development Museum's Restoration team.

"Well this is a traction engine here. This one went through a complete rebuilding here in the shop, by the volunteers and myself. It was basically stripped down to nothing and rebuilt with all new parts and refurbished parts. It's been thoroughly checked out, it's totally a safe engine, we went through a full ultra-sonic test on all the pressure vessels. It's been licensed by the Government of Saskatchewan for 100 pounds pressure on the boiler." said chief engineer and restoration manager at the WDM, Tim Pomeroy. "It's a coal-fired steam locomotive, the only operating steam locomotive in Saskatchewan."

Pomeroy joyfully explained the event's significance for Western Settlers in Saskatchewan, right after he was giving wagon drawn rides in his steam piping relic.

"Anything that operates is special to me because it's bringing back part of our heritage. When these engines are operating, it's really a time machine, because they're doing the work they were designed for. You have the same sounds, smells, and experiences they would have had over a hundred years ago."

The event took place right around the same time as another great example of Moose Jaw heritage, the Bisonfest at Tatawaw Park, with the tools and tipis of the bison trade on full display for onlookers, all in all making Saturday quite the historical hootenanny.