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| − | VIA Rail operated the [[Apple Blossom Special]] with conventional equipment one time only, May 30, 1987. It ran from Halifax to Kentville, where [[VIA | + | ==Introduction== |
| + | [[File:Kalkman104.jpg|thumb|300px|A special advertisement for the [[Apple Blossom Special|Apple Blossom Festival]] from [[:Category:The Advertiser|''The Advertiser'']], 1934.]] | ||
| + | Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival was created in 1933 to stimulate business and tourism during the Great Depression and celebrate local traditions. It grew out of earlier celebrations of the apple harvest in Hantsport. The DAR was heavily involved in the start of the Apple Blossom Festival. Key events were held at the railway's [[Cornwallis Inn]] and [[Grand Pre Park]]. The DAR promoted the festival extensively and offered a range of special fares and special trains for travellers to attend the event over the years including a memorable last hurrah in 1987 when a full VIA Rail train made the journey. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Grand Pre Specials== | ||
| + | In the earl years of the festival, the DAR ran special passenger trains to the [[Grand Pre Park]] for the coronation of "Queen Annapolisa". | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:Gertridge6.jpg|Queen Annapolisa VI in the [[Apple Blossom Special|Apple Blossom Festival]] coronation at [[Grand Pre Park]] with [[Grand Pre Water Tower|the water tower]], British Canadian Fruit Association warehouse and [[DAR001330|DAR Boxcar 1330]] in work train, June 5, 1938. | ||
| + | File:Gertridge017.jpg|DAR passenger car from an [[Apple Blossom Special]] with several princesses and Queen Annapolisa, circa 1948. | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==The 1987 Apple Blossom Special== | ||
| + | VIA Rail operated the [[Apple Blossom Special]] with conventional equipment one time only, May 30, 1987. It ran from Halifax to Kentville, where [[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] reversed direction on the [[Kentville Turntable|turntable]]. The train returned to [[Halifax]] the same day. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The crew for that run was Engineer [[Gee, John L.|JL Gee]], 2nd Engineer B Smith, Conductor W. Smith and Brakemen P Laing and R Arenburg.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/DARDPI.ca/permalink/1105133583188403/ Engineer JL Gee describes the crew in a post on the DARDPI group on Facebook]</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Locomotive: 6781 <br> | ||
| + | Baggage Car: 15205 <br> | ||
| + | Sleeper Car: Evangeline <br> | ||
| + | Coach 3: ?? <br> | ||
| + | Coach 4: ?? <br> | ||
| + | Coach 5: ?? <br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [https://www.facebook.com/groups/DARDPI.ca/posts/2341223586246057/?comment_id=2341239412911141 Wayne Hines recounts the background to the VIA Rail run for 1987 on the DARDPI Facebook page]:<br> | ||
| + | There's quite a story to this train. For several years VIA had been running an Apple Blossom Special with 3 railliners. However, because of some crossing accidents that laid up some of the railliners, VIA said they would not be able to run the train. I was on the Festival's PR committee at the time and suggested they run a conventional train. VIA said they had been told a conventional train would not be able to operate on the DAR because of weight restrictions. I didn't think that was right and had a chat with Earl MacMichael who, I believe, was the manager at the time. (not sure about his exact title) He said there would be no problem running a conventional train but it would cost $300 more than the railliners because of the need for extra crewmembers. I took his comments back to the VIA people and they said they'd get back to me. A couple days later they called all excited. They would put together a train with various cars like a coach, day-niter, sleeping car, etc., and they would try to get one of their shiny new F40-PH2 locomotives to haul it. The cars would be on display in Kentville during the time the train was there. I'm not sure about the baggage car, whether it was used for supplies for the train or just for display in Kentville. As it turned out, VIA was not able to cycle one of the new locomotives to be available for the train so, much to railfans' delight, they used FPA-4 6781 instead. I believe the passengers on the train were winners of a contest run by a Halifax radio station. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [https://www.facebook.com/groups/DARDPI.ca/posts/2341223586246057/?comment_id=2341316642903418 James Eaton adds a comment regarding the choice of cars from the DARDPI Facebook discussion]:<br> | ||
| + | This train was promoting VIA's newly refurbished and upgraded Ocean and Atlantic trains from Halifax to Montreal, hence the inclusion of a newly refurbished E class sleeper and diner | ||
| + | |||
| + | [https://www.facebook.com/groups/DARDPI.ca/posts/2341223586246057/?comment_id=2341235922911490 Ian Hayward comments about the baggage car from the DARDPI Facebook discussion]:<br> | ||
| + | This was the Apple Blossom Special. The Baggage car is actually an electric generator car. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<Gallery> | <Gallery> | ||
| + | File:55-025a Via 6781 in Halifax Station 870530.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] leads the [[Apple Blossom Special]] at [[Halifax]] on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | File:55-026a Via 6781 in Halifax Station 870530.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] leads the [[Apple Blossom Special]] at [[Halifax]] on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | File:55-027a Via 6781 in Halifax Station 870530.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] leads the [[Apple Blossom Special]] at [[Halifax]] on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | File:55-032a Via 6781 at Windsor, NS 870530.jpg|The [[Apple Blossom Special]] arrives at [[Windsor]] on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | File:55-033 Via 6781 at Windsor, NS 870530.jpg|The [[Apple Blossom Special]] arrives at [[Windsor]] on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | File:55-034 Via 6781 at Falmouth, NS 870530.jpg|The [[Apple Blossom Special]] arrives at [[Falmouth]] on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial2.jpg|Westbound [[Apple Blossom Special]] passes a gypsum train in [[Windsor Railyard]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial1.jpg|Westbound [[Apple Blossom Special]] is about to pass under Nesbitt St. in Windsor. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial3.jpg|E series sleeper (Ex. CN) "Evangeline" was included in the [[Apple Blossom Special]] consist. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial12.jpg|[[Apple Blossom Special]] Westbound across [[Avon River Causeway]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial4.jpg|[[Apple Blossom Special]] at [[Gaspereaux River Bridge]]. | ||
| + | File:VIA Rail - Apple Bloosom Special - West of Wolfville - Wayne Hines Photos - 19870530.jpg|West of Wolfville, Eastbound back to Halifax | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial7.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] moves past the [[Kentville Coaling Tower]] to the [[Kentville Turntable]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial5.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] moves to the [[Kentville Turntable]] to reverse direction and face East for its return trip to [[Halifax]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial6.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] on the [[Kentville Turntable]] reversing direction and face East for its return trip to [[Halifax]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial8.jpg|The compressed air motor for the [[Kentville Turntable]] reversing [[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] for its return trip to [[Halifax]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial9.jpg|[[VIA6781|VIA 6781]] on the [[Kentville Turntable]] with the [[Kentville Roundhouse]] behind, reversing direction for its return trip to [[Halifax]]. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial10.jpg|The [[Apple Blossom Special]] at the [[Kentville Station]] is blue flagged while the power is turned on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | Image:Appleblossomspecial11.jpg|The [[Apple Blossom Special]] at the [[Kentville Station]] looking east while the power is turned on May 30, 1987. | ||
| + | </Gallery> | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Special and Excursion Trains]] | |
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| − | |||
| − | |||
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==References and Footnotes== | ==References and Footnotes== | ||
| − | + | <references /> | |
==External Link== | ==External Link== | ||
[[Category:Named Trains]] | [[Category:Named Trains]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:14, 19 May 2025
Introduction
Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival was created in 1933 to stimulate business and tourism during the Great Depression and celebrate local traditions. It grew out of earlier celebrations of the apple harvest in Hantsport. The DAR was heavily involved in the start of the Apple Blossom Festival. Key events were held at the railway's Cornwallis Inn and Grand Pre Park. The DAR promoted the festival extensively and offered a range of special fares and special trains for travellers to attend the event over the years including a memorable last hurrah in 1987 when a full VIA Rail train made the journey.
Grand Pre Specials
In the earl years of the festival, the DAR ran special passenger trains to the Grand Pre Park for the coronation of "Queen Annapolisa".
Queen Annapolisa VI in the Apple Blossom Festival coronation at Grand Pre Park with the water tower, British Canadian Fruit Association warehouse and DAR Boxcar 1330 in work train, June 5, 1938.
DAR passenger car from an Apple Blossom Special with several princesses and Queen Annapolisa, circa 1948.
The 1987 Apple Blossom Special
VIA Rail operated the Apple Blossom Special with conventional equipment one time only, May 30, 1987. It ran from Halifax to Kentville, where VIA 6781 reversed direction on the turntable. The train returned to Halifax the same day.
The crew for that run was Engineer JL Gee, 2nd Engineer B Smith, Conductor W. Smith and Brakemen P Laing and R Arenburg.[1]
Locomotive: 6781
Baggage Car: 15205
Sleeper Car: Evangeline
Coach 3: ??
Coach 4: ??
Coach 5: ??
Wayne Hines recounts the background to the VIA Rail run for 1987 on the DARDPI Facebook page:
There's quite a story to this train. For several years VIA had been running an Apple Blossom Special with 3 railliners. However, because of some crossing accidents that laid up some of the railliners, VIA said they would not be able to run the train. I was on the Festival's PR committee at the time and suggested they run a conventional train. VIA said they had been told a conventional train would not be able to operate on the DAR because of weight restrictions. I didn't think that was right and had a chat with Earl MacMichael who, I believe, was the manager at the time. (not sure about his exact title) He said there would be no problem running a conventional train but it would cost $300 more than the railliners because of the need for extra crewmembers. I took his comments back to the VIA people and they said they'd get back to me. A couple days later they called all excited. They would put together a train with various cars like a coach, day-niter, sleeping car, etc., and they would try to get one of their shiny new F40-PH2 locomotives to haul it. The cars would be on display in Kentville during the time the train was there. I'm not sure about the baggage car, whether it was used for supplies for the train or just for display in Kentville. As it turned out, VIA was not able to cycle one of the new locomotives to be available for the train so, much to railfans' delight, they used FPA-4 6781 instead. I believe the passengers on the train were winners of a contest run by a Halifax radio station.
James Eaton adds a comment regarding the choice of cars from the DARDPI Facebook discussion:
This train was promoting VIA's newly refurbished and upgraded Ocean and Atlantic trains from Halifax to Montreal, hence the inclusion of a newly refurbished E class sleeper and diner
Ian Hayward comments about the baggage car from the DARDPI Facebook discussion:
This was the Apple Blossom Special. The Baggage car is actually an electric generator car.
Gallery
VIA 6781 leads the Apple Blossom Special at Halifax on May 30, 1987.
VIA 6781 leads the Apple Blossom Special at Halifax on May 30, 1987.
VIA 6781 leads the Apple Blossom Special at Halifax on May 30, 1987.
The Apple Blossom Special arrives at Windsor on May 30, 1987.
The Apple Blossom Special arrives at Windsor on May 30, 1987.
The Apple Blossom Special arrives at Falmouth on May 30, 1987.
Westbound Apple Blossom Special passes a gypsum train in Windsor Railyard.
Westbound Apple Blossom Special is about to pass under Nesbitt St. in Windsor.
E series sleeper (Ex. CN) "Evangeline" was included in the Apple Blossom Special consist.
Apple Blossom Special Westbound across Avon River Causeway.
West of Wolfville, Eastbound back to Halifax
VIA 6781 moves past the Kentville Coaling Tower to the Kentville Turntable.
VIA 6781 moves to the Kentville Turntable to reverse direction and face East for its return trip to Halifax.
VIA 6781 on the Kentville Turntable reversing direction and face East for its return trip to Halifax.
The compressed air motor for the Kentville Turntable reversing VIA 6781 for its return trip to Halifax.
VIA 6781 on the Kentville Turntable with the Kentville Roundhouse behind, reversing direction for its return trip to Halifax.
The Apple Blossom Special at the Kentville Station is blue flagged while the power is turned on May 30, 1987.
The Apple Blossom Special at the Kentville Station looking east while the power is turned on May 30, 1987.
