TRIP NO. 20: On the following day, Sunday, October 2nd, the Association
staged one of its popular Fall Foliage excursions, this one over lines of
the Canadian National Railways, from Montreal to Rawdon, Que. The train
consisted of three wooden passenger cars, drawn by locomotive #674, the
famous Mogul (2-6-0) type which is part of the exhibit material in the CNR's
well-known Museum Train. One hundred and twenty participants enjoyed the
incomparable foliage along the route, and the arrival at Rawdon was marked
by an unexpected, but very overwhelming civic reception, which included
members of the Chamber of Commerce, local civic advancement groups and the
newspaper, led by Chief of Police Demers. Many of the participants were
driven around Rawdon in cars provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Those who remained at the station to see No. 674 turned on the "Armstrong"
turntable, were witnesses to an incident which was rather amusing as it was
looked upon afterward, but did not seem so at the time. While the engine was
being turned by about twenty willing hands, it was decided to stop the
turntable at mid point so that pictures might be taken. This was done, but
in the interim, the water in the tank shifted and overbalanced the table,
with the result that it would not start again, despite the combined efforts
of about thirty five people. Finally, by means of very skilful manipulation
of the locomotive by the engineman, the turntable was overbalanced again,
and the turning completed. The trip was organized and promoted by the Trip
Committee consisting of Mr. W.H. Stannard and Mr. R.D. Brown, while Mr.
Leduc of the Passenger Department, and Mr. Nobert of the operating
Department, represented the Canadian National Rys.
The story was retold by Doug Brown who provided photos of the event. To read that article, please click here.
2006/06/11