Chris Busch Steam Tractor Quest

[weedoublewide]

My great-grandfather was Chris Busch, same Chris Busch that hosted the Chris Busch Threshing Bee. I’ve been looking at what happened to his steam tractors, as I would like to acquire one. I hope some are still owned by independent owners who would be willing to have a conversation. They don't have to be restored, that's part of the fun.

I did find a man named Willis Abel bought close to a dozen of his steam tractors and brought them back to Finleyville, PA. Searching online I saw he sold a bunch of his antique items through an auction but noticed he didn’t sell any of the tractors. But I don't know where they've gone after that. 

If anyone has any leads or contacts, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you 

[Deemston Bob]

I called my mom’s husband who had a farm in Finleyville at one time and was into mules and old iron. He definitely knows of Willis. He is 84 and said Willis was older so he may have passed. He remembers he was the guy to go to for steam. And that he would go to great lengths to acquire and bring machines home to restore. He is reaching out to see if maybe his son is around and will let you know if he can come up with anything more. Unfortunately, he thinks that he did sell all of the tractors when he quit. 

[weedoublewide]

12 hours ago, Deemston Bob said:

I called my mom’s husband who had a farm in Finleyville at one time and was into mules and old iron. He definitely knows of Willis. He is 84 and said Willis was older so he may have passed. He remembers he was the guy to go to for steam. And that he would go to great lengths to acquire and bring machines home to restore. He is reaching out to see if maybe his son is around and will let you know if he can come up with anything more. Unfortunately, he thinks that he did sell all of the tractors when he quit. 

Thats some cool stuff. I appreciate it very much. I lived in Butler from 2012ish to 2016ish and if I would've known this as I know now, I probably could've seen them in person. Life's a journey

Sadly, It was on my mind that they've moved on to greener pastures. Gotta start somewhere to trace them down. Hopefully hes still in good health and can give some good info on where and whom he sold them too. 

[Deemston Bob]

http://www.nationalpike.com/contact-us-.html
 

 

I would try contacting folks at this site. National pike steam gas and horse association. They may have useful Information. If you are still around this area, the next event there is in August. A lot of folks there that likely knew of Willis. 

[weedoublewide]

12 hours ago, Deemston Bob said:

http://www.nationalpike.com/contact-us-.html
 

 

I would try contacting folks at this site. National pike steam gas and horse association. They may have useful Information. If you are still around this area, the next event there is in August. A lot of folks there that likely knew of Willis. 

Good information, got in contact with a gentleman who goes way back with Mr. Abel and hes looking into it. Cool bit of information I found out as well talking to one of my fathers siblings, there's ten. Chris Busch was a founding member of the Western Steam Fiends Association. I'll reach out to them on Monday and update as necessary. Till then i'm going to spend some time on the weekend trying to log the steam engines mentioned in Farm Collector forums, smokstak, etc. 

Again thank you for continuing help and information.  

 

As things align, I'll be making a long desired trip back to the PA, pre salt treatment.

 

 

Edit:

Waiting for approval to post on smokstak, I'll be continuing my endeavors there as well. 

[Deemston Bob]

Good luck. It’s very cool what you are doing. With the very little research I did, it seems you should be able to gather many leads on those machines and unlikely to hit a dead end.  If you locate any of them out this way I would love to hear. My favorite stories here are the ones where people get to locate and bring a family members machines home. 

[weedoublewide]

On 7/11/2026 at 9:16 AM, Deemston Bob said:

Good luck. It’s very cool what you are doing. With the very little research I did, it seems you should be able to gather many leads on those machines and unlikely to hit a dead end.  If you locate any of them out this way I would love to hear. My favorite stories here are the ones where people get to locate and bring a family members machines home. 

I hope something comes of it. I've got a list of people to call now. I will let you know, I found a gentleman named Bob that knows Willis very well, maybe he helped him restore some I'm not sure. Hes looking into the tractors as well. Hopefully we'll hear back from him within the next week or so. 

I most certainly will! thank you again for the help and looking into some leads for me.