Kory Anderson + The 150 HP Case
The Lost Giant Lives Again.
Nine were built. None survived. More than a century later, Kory Anderson and a team of American craftsmen rebuilt the legendary 150 HP Case Road Locomotive from the original plans — bringing the world's largest operating steam-powered tractor back to life.
Guinness World Records™ — Largest Steam-Powered Tractor in Operation75,000LB
Loaded weight
20M+VIEWS
YouTube views
250+CASTINGS
Unique parts cast
25FT
Length
14FT
Width
14FT
Height
180PSI
Boiler pressure
200RPM
Operating speed
14"BORE
Cylinder bore
50"DIA
Flywheel diameter
8FT
Rear wheel diameter
5,000FT-LB
Torque
5.69MPH
Top speed
6,000LB
Coal capacity
650GAL
Water tank
1,200+RIVETS
Hot rivets in rear wheels
A Machine Lost to History
Only Nine Were Built. Not One Survived.
The J.I. Case Company designed its immense Road Locomotive in 1904 and began production in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1905. Created to haul heavy freight for mining, sawmills, and grain operations, it represented the peak of steam-powered engineering.
Only nine were produced between 1905 and 1907. As railroads expanded, the market for such an enormous road engine disappeared. Eventually, every original 150 HP Case was scrapped, leaving behind only photographs, stories, and original engineering drawings.
From Dream to Steam
Kory Didn't Restore History. He Rebuilt It.
1904–1905
The Case Road Locomotive was designed and the first of only nine engines was built in Racine, Wisconsin.
1907
Production ended. In time, all nine original machines disappeared — scrapped and lost to history.
2007
Kory Anderson traveled to Racine, Wisconsin, to research the original 150 Case drawings and began engineering the lost machine's parts.
2017
Casting began at Dakota Foundry in Webster, South Dakota. Kory transported the castings to Gary Bradley's shop in Sheridan, Wyoming, for machining and assembly.
2018
After years of research and preparation, Kory, his family, mentors, foundry team, and friends completed the working engine. The active build and assembly were finished in approximately 16 months.
Aug 18, 2018
The team lit the first fire. The engine ran for four days of testing and break-in.
Sep 8, 2018
The recreated 150 Case made its public debut at the James Valley Threshing Show in Andover, South Dakota, pulling a 24-bottom plow.
2019
At the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, Minnesota, the engine pulled four steam engines up a 13% grade, recreating a legendary demonstration from 1904.
2022
The 150 Case made history again by pulling a 50-bottom John Deere plow in Andover, South Dakota.
Today
The 150 Case remains a working monument to American manufacturing, skilled trades, engineering, and the people who preserve our history.
Built by Many Hands
A Vision Carried by a Team
Kory may have carried the vision, but the 150 Case came to life through the hands of foundry workers, machinists, welders, engineers, mentors, friends, and family. Parts were poured at Dakota Foundry in Webster, machined and assembled with Gary Bradley in Sheridan, and joined with massive wheels built alongside Jim Briden in Fargo. Kory's father, Kevin Anderson, members of the foundry team, longtime mentors, and volunteers all helped transform original drawings into 75,000 pounds of working American history.
"This engine will forever stand as a monument to the men and women who preserved our history for us to experience and enjoy."
— Kory Anderson
Faith, family, hard work, and respect for the skilled trades powered every stage of the build.
Watch It Work
You Have to See It Work.
150 HP Case at Rollag: Legendary Pull of Four Engines
Watch the world's largest steam-powered tractor pull four steam engines up a 13% grade, recreating a feat from 1904.
History Made: 150 Case Pulling a 50-Bottom John Deere Plow
A historic demonstration in Andover, South Dakota.
Firing Up the 150 Case
Go behind the scenes as Kory and the team prepare the world's largest steam traction engine for a record pull.
Building the 150 Case: How Did Kory Anderson Do It?
The engineering, manufacturing, teamwork, and determination behind rebuilding the lost giant.
The Gallery
From Raw Iron to Living History
The original, 1905
Dakota Foundry, Webster SD
Precision machining, Sheridan WY
1,200+ hot rivets
First fire, August 18, 2018
The team that built it
50-bottom plow, Andover SD
Four-engine hill pull, Rollag MN
More Than a Machine
Preserving the Past. Forging the Future.
The 150 Case represents more than steam power. It proves that the knowledge, craftsmanship, and work ethic that built America are still alive. For Kory Anderson, rebuilding the lost giant became a way to honor earlier generations while inspiring the next one. Its story now introduces families and young people to engineering, foundry work, machining, welding, agriculture, and the skilled trades.
BUILT TOGETHER
THE 150 CASE STARTED A BIGGER STORY.
Kory brought the 150 Case to Rollag, Minnesota, in 2019 for its public debut. There, he met Ali—the woman who would become his wife and partner in a shared mission.
Ali later transformed Kory's story into Billy the Lost Boiler, a children's book created to inspire young people to believe in themselves, build with their hands and discover a future in the skilled trades. The book became a #1 Hot New Release on Amazon.
Today, Kory and Ali are building that mission together as a family—sharing the stories of American builders, strengthening manufacturing and creating new pathways for the next generation.
Children's Book
Billy the Lost Boiler
#1 Hot New Release on Amazon
Experience It Live
Come Hear the Whistle. Feel the Ground Move.
The 150 Case appears at select steam, agriculture, and heritage events. See upcoming appearances, demonstrations, steam talks, and opportunities to meet Kory and the team.
Book Kory
Bring a Story of Impossible Engineering to Your Next Event.
Kory Anderson's 150 Case story combines entrepreneurship, American manufacturing, skilled trades, leadership, risk, faith, family, and the determination to bring an impossible vision to life.