This scale model tractor resembles a full-size Rumely Oil Pull. It’s driven by a Stirling cycle engine which is water-cooled. The tractor has a power take-off pulley for belt operation of other models, such as a wood splitter or cement mixer. In the display case, this model is shown pulling a scale model wagon that Rudy also built from scratch.
One of the first large donations to the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum was the collection of famed model engine builder Rudy Kouhoupt. Rudy’s niece, Susan Alvaro, was kind enough to donate his entire lifetime engine collection for display at the grand opening of the museum in 2006. After retiring as a chemist, Rudy had a second career building engines and writing magazine articles documenting the process. Many people have built his models, but we have the honor of displaying all of his original prototypes. Rudy’s collection includes scale model engines, locomotives, tractors and more. Additionally, thirteen of Rudy’s model steam engines are hooked up to run on compressed air to demonstrate their function.
