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Petre Mayer and one of the exhibits in his collection. Photo: Peter Meyer Peter Meyer and one of the exhibits in his collection. Photo: Peter Meyer Peter Mayer and one of the exhibits in his collection
This note was born by accident - on the eve of the opening of a commercial vehicle salon in Hanover, during the presentation of Volkswagen in the premises of the former metal processing plant - it is pictured below. Stepping into the yard, we noticed an extremely unusual car.
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The former Louis Eilers factory is now the stage for presentations and a place where you can meet collector Peter Mayer. Photo: Peter Meyer The former Louis Eilers factory is now the stage for presentations and a place where you can meet collector Peter Mayer. Photo: Peter Meyer Former Louis Eilers Factory - Presentation Stage Photo: Peter Meyer
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be … the only surviving steam-powered excavator in Europe.
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Peter "Baggermeyer" Meyer is the lucky owner of Europe's only steam-powered excavator
Not far from the "Serpent of Gorynych" puffing in smoke, his master, Herr Peter Mayer, was also discovered. A mechanical engineer, he works for a company specializing in conveyor systems, and devotes his spare time to restoring oldtimer excavators, for which his friends call him Baggermeyer - “Mayer Excavator”. And the smoking apparatus manufactured by Bünger AG was prepared by him for regular inspection by technical supervision representatives. According to Herr Mayer, this is one of two surviving excavators of this type, released in 1933. The second - inoperative, located in England.
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The excavator boiler is heated by coal, which is used in steam locomotives and imported from Poland The excavator boiler is heated by coal, which is used in steam locomotives and imported from Poland The excavator boiler is heated by coal, which is used in steam locomotives and imported from Poland
With the exception of some modern details (mainly various pipes and joints), the excavator is fully consistent with the state in which it existed during its labor activity. This dinosaur is "fed" with Polish briquetted coal, which is used on the railway. The maximum speed in motion is 2 km / h.
In addition to several rarities produced by Dolberg, Buenger and Orenstein & Koppel, Mr. Mayer’s collection contains a couple of Magirus-Deutz trucks, one of which this enthusiastic person showed us with obvious pleasure.
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Peter Meyer and his current project is a Magirus-Deutz truck with an air-cooled engine, released in the early 60s
According to the welcoming owner, there are a lot of enthusiasts like him in Germany and neighboring countries. Some specialize in trucks, others specialize in construction and construction equipment. In Germany, there are several historical and technical societies, such as the “Syndicate of the Historical Building Association” (Interessengemeinschaft historische Baumaschinen eV), which collect, repair and display trucks, excavators, tractors and other special equipment during their congresses and holidays.
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Oldtimer is still quite suitable for the present work. Photo: Peter Meyer “Oldtimer” is still quite suitable for the present work. Photo: Peter Meyer Oldtimer is still quite suitable for the present work Photo: Peter Meyer
Having learned about the purpose of our visit - the exhibition of commercial vehicles, Herr Mayer strongly advised us to look into the pavilion, where the "old timers" will be presented.
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MAN Diesel at one of the meetings of German collectors of special equipment. Photo: Peter Meyer MAN Diesel at one of the meetings of German collectors of special equipment. Photo: Peter Meyer MAN Diesel at one of the meetings of German collectors of special equipment Photo: Peter Meyer
