Dominion Atlantic Railway Digital Preservation Initiative - Wiki
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Apple Blossom Special
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 it borrowed VIA equipment.
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: ??
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.
