Virtual Railfan Tour - Thurso and Nation Valley Railway - My Introduction

 

Fan Trip October 1970
My introduction to the Thurso and Nation Valley Railway was on a fan trip in October 1970. Being newly arrived in Canada I had no idea what too expect from a logging railway using GE 70 ton locomotives for road power and with equipment, much of it with archbar trucks which were outlawed  in main line service around 1940.

Kevin Day photo
Two gondolas had been "borrowed" from Canadian Pacific to supplement the limited capacity in the TNVR caboose and private car 27. This worked well in warm, dry, autumn weather.
TNVR No. 12 had recently been acquired from the Canadian National Prince Edward Island operation where it had been No. 6. The TNVR kept the old CN color scheme for a time. No need to spend money unnecessarily.
On subsequent occasions my father enjoyed these forays into the Quebec woods.

In the early 70s my son Paul also enjoyed the baked beans at end of the line.

In later years Car 27, a former Canadian Pacific Superintendent's car built in 1907 became a part of my life.

The cross at Duhamel was a reminder of a once larger community.

Three generations of Churchers on the TNVR 










 

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