THE AVR WENT TO ST. CROIX FOR THEIR FALL MEET WITH TWO LOCOMOTIVES AND SIXTEEN CARS FROM SEPT. 26th to OCT. 1st. 2007 AND HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.  MEMBERS FROM THE AVR LIVING IN WINNIPEG WHERE BILL TAYLOR, LEN LaRUE, VIC ST-GERMAIN,  BARRY SOLOMON, RALPH STEEVES, PHIL & BECKY MENDELSOHN AND PHILIP SHAW and several members from the AVR who come from other places were also there. 

ALL PICTURES TAKEN BY BILL TAYLOR UNLESS NOTED. CLICK ON SMALL PICTURES TO MAKE THEM BIGGER If you can add names or details about equipment and people in the pictures please send them along. Just go to the AVR main page and click my e-mail. 

# 1 - THE ST CROIX CLUB RELOCATED THEIR WATER TOWER TO A MORE VISIBLE PLACE ALONG THE 1/8TH LINE WHERE IT STANDS WITH A NEW BASE AND COAT OF PAINT.

# 2 - AVR PACIFIC 2365 IS THE FIRST STEAM TRAIN TO TEST OUT THE NEW HIGH SPEED LINE BEHIND THE ROUNDHOUSE. AT THE THROTTLE IS BILL TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY AND LEN LA RUE VP OF THE AVR. THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO WORKED TO GET THIS NEW TRACK IN BEFORE THE FALL MEET.

# 3 - AVR TRAIN #2365 HAS MADE IT ACROSS THE NEW LINE ON THE 27TH. SEPTEMBER 2007. THIS LINE BECAME THE SPEEDWAY DURING THE MEET WITH DAN AND 1280 PROBABLE HOLDING THE RECORD. OTHERS WERE NOT FAR BEHIND.

AVR ST CROIX 1280 RUNS 2007.jpg (98982 bytes)

# 4 - 1280 WITH DAN ON THE CONTROLS PASSES 2365 NEAR THE STATION. NICE TO SEE THE OLD GIRL UP AND RUNNING.

AVR ST CROIX AT THE BAY 2007.jpg (74492 bytes)

# 5 - LOTS OF ACTION ON A NICE DAY AT ST. CROIX STEAMING TRACKS. 

AVR ST CROIX BARRY & MAUREEN 2007.jpg (58291 bytes)

# 6 - BARRY GOT THE ATLANTIC UP AND RUNNING AS JACK ANDERSON WAS CHIEF COOK (YUM YUM) FOR THE MEET AND HAD NO TIME BETWEEN BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SUPPER TO CLEAN AND STEAM AN ENGINE, NOT THAT JACK WAS NOT SMOKING. HE HAD HIS SMOKER LOADED WITH SOME TYPE OF MEAT ALL MEET LONG. BARRY IS GIVING MAUREEN A RIDE.

AVR ST CROIX TIM AT COMP 2007.jpg (63165 bytes)

# 7 - IF YOU WANTED TO FIND TIM, THE ST. CROIX'S HARD WORKING PRESIDENT JUST LOOK FOR HIS COMPUTER. I NEVER REMEMBER HIM ANY PLACE ELSE ALL MEET LONG. MAUREEN IS BEHIND THE DESK.

AVR ST CROIX BALLAST TRAIN 2007.jpg (107177 bytes)

# 8 - AVR TRAIN #2365 HAS BEEN PRESSED INTO SERVICE AS A BALLAST TRAIN AND SITS READY FOR THE CREW TO LOAD HER UP. ASSINIBOINE VALLEY LOCOMOTIVES HAVE HAULED A LOT OF ROCK OVER THE YEARS AT THE ST. CROIX.

AVR ST CROIX LOAD THAT ROCK 2007.jpg (85290 bytes)

# 9 - A HARD WORKING CREW LOADS SURPLUS ROCK FROM THE SIDE TO BE USED FARTHER DOWN THE LINE WHERE NEEDED.

AVR ST CROIX MORE ROCK 2007.jpg (86375 bytes)

# 10 - MORE ROCK IS LOADED INTO ST. CROIX FIVE SIDE DUMP HOPPERS.

AVR ST CROIX BALLAST CREW 2007.jpg (87699 bytes)

# 11 - HARD WORKING CREW HELPS TO KEEP THE TRAINS RUNNING.

AVR ST CROIX CHILLY 2007.jpg (47974 bytes)

# 12 - SERVING WHIT AND CARLA'S GREAT CHILI. IT COMES IN LOW MEDIUM AND HIGH FIRE. IF YOU TRY THE HIGH FIRE IT WILL HELP WHEN STEAMING UP YOUR COAL BURNER. AS 2365 IS A PROPANE BURNER I SETTLE FOR THE LOW AS ANY SPARK WILL GET THE FIRE BURNING.

AVR ST CROIX SHOWING FLAG 2007.jpg (73689 bytes)

# 13 - SHOWING THE FLAG ON THIS SWITCHER.

AVR ST CROIX GEARED LOCO 2007.jpg (52961 bytes)

# 14 - NICE LOOKING GEARED LOCOMOTIVE.

AVR ST CROIX COMBINE 2007.jpg (79010 bytes)

# 15 - NEAT PIECE OF PASSENGER EQUIPMENT ON THE 1 INCH LINE. A 1" SCALE SANTA FE DOODLE-BUG,  SCRATCH BUILT BY GEORGE WALENTER FROM WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS WHO IS ALSO OPERATING IT.

AVR ST CROIX WHIT ARRIVES 2007.jpg (75624 bytes)

# 16 - WHIT AND CARLA ARRIVE WITH AN 18 FOOT TRAILER FILLED WITH 17 CARS AND THE PACIFIC. THAT FAMOUS COBBLER MAKING EQUIPMENT, COOKING POTS AND CHILI. 

AVR ST CROIX POSSED 2007.jpg (88615 bytes)

# 17 - ON A SUNNY DAY THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE AT THE BAY JUST ENJOYING THE TRAINS. TODAY WAS NO EXCEPTION.

AVR ST CROIX STEAMS UP 2007.jpg (79910 bytes)

# 18 - NOW HOW'S THAT, JACK'S ATLANTIC WITH WHIT'S PACIFIC PULLING WHIT'S TRAIN. STEAMS UP SO LETS GET GOING. J.J. ANDERSON IS ON THE POINT WITH JOHN LARKIN GETTING ON BEHIND JJ.

AVR ST CROIX ATLANTIC PACIFIC 2007.jpg (89495 bytes)

# 19 - NEED A PUSH, WHO LEFT ALL THAT OIL ON THE CROSSING.

AVR ST CROIX CHUCK ARRIVING 2007.jpg (78638 bytes)

# 20 - CHUCK WITH HIS PASSENGER TRAIN AND POWERFUL UP NORTHERN. CHUCK IS WORKING ON VERSION THREE OF THE TRAILER SO IT WILL BE SELF UNLOADING.

AVR ST CROIX ACTION ON 1 LINE 2007.jpg (102011 bytes)

# 21 - LOTS OF ACTION ON THE 1 INCH LINE. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE ST. CROIX 1/12 TRACK IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN NORTH AMERICA. I TEND TO AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT.

AVR ST CROIX NICE LONG TRESTLE 2007.jpg (100140 bytes)

# 22 - I TOOK A RIDE UP THE 1 INCH AND HAD A GREAT RIDE AT THE REAR OF THE SANTA FE. THE BRIDGES ARE SPECTACULAR.

AVR ST CROIX UNDER BRIDGE 2007.jpg (87820 bytes)

# 23 - UNDER AND OVER. A GREAT RIDE. THE GRADE MAKES YOU WORK.

AVR ST CROIX SANDER 2007.jpg (79593 bytes)

# 24 - FOR WET DAYS A SANDER HAS BEEN TESTED. 

AVR ST CROIX TRAIN WATCHING 2007.jpg (86166 bytes)

# 25 - THEY COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. TRAIN WATCHERS THAT IS. SOME TIMES THE BEST PART OF A MEET IS JUST TO SIT AND WATCH ALL THE ACTION.

AVR ST CROIX HOLDING UP FENCE 2007.jpg (67919 bytes)

# 26 - OTHER TIMES ITS HOLDING UP THE FENCE WITH A GOOD CONVERSATION.

AVR ST CROIX EATING AGAIN 2007.jpg (63303 bytes)

# 27 - BUT BEST OF ALL ITS ALL THE GREAT FOOD. 

AVR ST CROIX FATHER & SON 2007.jpg (95565 bytes)

# 28 - OR A FATHER AND SON MOMENT.

AVR ST CROIX 2856 GOOD FIRE 2007.jpg (84423 bytes)

# 29 - WHIT'S 2856 WITH A GOOD FIRE GOING. READY FOR ACTION.

AVR ST CROIX CHUCK & WIFE 2007.jpg (68870 bytes)

# 30 - CHUCK HACKETT AND HIS WIFE JOAN STEAM PAST BACK IN THE BUSH. HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN.

AVR ST CROIX PHIL SHAW 2007.jpg (74850 bytes)

# 31 - PHIL SHAW WITH HIS SON'S STEAMER. TOO BAD STEPHEN HAD TO WORK.

AVR ST CROIX READY FOR RIDERS 2007.jpg (87568 bytes)

#32 - READY FOR RIDERS WITH THIS 1" STRING OF RIDE ASTRIDE CARS.

AVR ST CROIX SIGNAL MAN 2007.jpg (62492 bytes)

#33 - TOMMY TIRELESSLY WORKS TO KEEP THE SIGNAL AND SWITCHES WORKING AT THE ST. CROIX RAILROAD. 

AVR ST CROIX LOTS OF TALK 2007.jpg (51822 bytes)

#34 - AT A MEET PEOPLE GATHER TO TALK TRAINS MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT.

AVR ST CROIX FOOD TIME 2007.jpg (76386 bytes)

#35 - TRAINS, FOOD, CONVERSATION. NOW THAT IS THE LIFE.

AVR ST CROIX WILL IT EVER RUN 2007.jpg (84483 bytes)

#36 - THE CLUB DIESEL, WILL IT EVER RUN. NEEDS A NEW COOLING SYSTEM.

AVR ST CROIX LEN WORK 2007.jpg (37366 bytes)

#37 - LEN FROM AVR REPLACING A DAMAGED TIE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE.

AVR ST CROIX BILL AT COMP 2007.jpg (57711 bytes)

#38 - BILL KEPT THE DAILY MEET PICTURES UP AT THE STATION ON THE LAP TOP.

AVR ST CROIX SANTA FE 2007.jpg (90008 bytes)

#39 - SANTA FE 1/8 DIESEL AND TRAIN HEADING INTO STATION.

AVR ST CROIX ATLANTIC 2007.jpg (83537 bytes)

#40 - THE ATLANTIC STEAMS INTO STATION.

AVR ST CROIX NO HANDS 2007.jpg (69044 bytes)

#41 - LOOK MA!  NO HANDS.

AVR ST CROIX STEAKS TO GO 2007.jpg (58272 bytes)

#42 - JACK & DOUG WILKINS' SMOKER DOING UP STEAKS FOR SATURDAY SUPPER.

AVR ST CROIX IN LINE 2007.jpg (80457 bytes)

#43 - IN LINE FOR SUPPER.

AVR ST CROIX MORE IN LINE 2007.jpg (77638 bytes)

#44 - MORE IN LINE FOR SUPPER.

AVR ST CROIX ANY LEFT 2007.jpg (67878 bytes)

#45 - WILL THERE BE ANY LEFT WHEN WE GET THERE???

AVR ST CROIX AT SERVICE 2007.jpg (46645 bytes)

#46 - AT YOU SERVICE WITH A SMILE.

AVR ST CROIX SERVING COBLER 2007.jpg (48273 bytes)

#47 - SERVING COBBLER AFTER A GREAT STEAK.

AVR ST CROIX EATING 2007.jpg (66721 bytes)

#48 - MORE EATING.

#49 - THE AVR TRAINS #6109 AND #2365 WITH DOUBLE STACKED GONDOLAS READY FOR THE TRIP HOME. THE SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE WAS A WASHOUT DUE TO VERY HEAVY PERSISTENT RAIN BUT THE TWO AVR TRAINS WERE ON DECK AND PERSEVERED THROUGH THE RAIN TO GIVE 271 RIDES TO THE ST. CROIX PUBLIC. DUE TO THE RAIN NO PICTURES GOT TAKEN. 2365 HANDLED 20 PLUS PASSENGERS WITH NEVER A SLIP AND 6109 HANDLED 12 AT A TIME. NO NEED FOR WATER STOPS JUST LEAVE THE TENDER OPEN. TIM HAD HIS NARROW GAUGE ON THE 1 INCH LINE FOR A FEW TRIPS BUT THE STEADY RAIN MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE. ONE COMMENT HEARD AT LUNCH IS THERE WERE TWO CLASSES OF NUTS THIS DAY. THE FIRST WAS THE PUBLIC WHO THOUGHT WE WOULD BE RUNNING IN THE RAIN AND SECOND WAS US WHO WERE IN FACT NUTS FOR RUNNING IN THE RAIN BUT THEN WE KNOW THAT. THE ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY'S MOTTO IS "ROUTE OF THE HAZEL NUTS" WE ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE AND MET IT WITH A SMILE. ADDED A NEW RULE "TAKE YOUR UMBRELLA DOWN BEFORE ENTERING TUNNELS"

AVR ST CROIX BIG STEP DOWN 2007.jpg (64401 bytes)

#50 - THE BIG STEPS DOWN FROM TRACK LEVEL TO TRAILER.

AVR ST CROIX TYING DOWN 2007.jpg (65909 bytes)

#51 - BILL DOING THE LAST TIE DOWN BEFORE THE TRIP TO WINNIPEG.

RETURN TO THE AVR HOME PAGE AND LOTS MORE PICTURES. of other clubs we have visited and more about the ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY and check out our New Pacific. 

Page new on October 8th, 2007 by Bill Taylor of Winnipeg Updated Oct 14th, 2007

 

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