07/08/2026
The Museum of Eastern Shore Life has transferred its 1913 Peerless Model TT steam tractor to its new home at the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association.
The Museum acquired the Peerless from Maryland Senator Dean’s estate in 1984. After a lengthy restoration effort completed in December 2009,the Museum exhibited the tractor under steam in the Centreville, MD Holiday Parade and at the Museum’s Holiday Train Show. In subsequent years, the tractor was operated at the Queen Anne’s County Fair, the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas annual show in Easton, MD and the Eastern Shore Thresherman Association show in Federalsburg, MD.
Antique steam tractors require constant care and maintenance. State of Maryland requires the tractors to be inspected annually both cold and under steam and inspectors attend the major steam shows where the tractors are gathered and steamed up to ensure safe operation. Every year, the Museum relied on Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association volunteers to help with maintenance and transport the Peerless from the Museum to the shows for inspections and subsequent operation. Also, in recent years, the Queen Anne’s County Fair has evolved with activities that do not mix well with a noisy tractor under live steam and the Museum was unable to operate the tractor at the 4-H Park as originally envisioned.
After lengthy considerations, Museum Board was pleased to havenegotiated the sale of the tractor to the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association in June of this year. With a wealth of knowledge and skills to maintain antique steam tractors, Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association is an ideal home for the Peerless and both organizations look forward to the Peerless again steaming up at annual steam shows.
