A couple of years ago we went out on the "Graceful Ghost" a small steam powered paddle boat on Lake Caddo near Uncertian Texas.
I sat right next to the engine room and will never forget the soothing sound of the engine barely audible over the churning paddle wheel.

http://www.uncertain-tx.com/gracefulghost/

I watched the captian load up the boiler with pieces of scrap oak from the cabinet shop up the road. Free fuel!