Bill Compton and I left the Days Inn in Alexandria, Minnesota and after breakfast at MacDonald's, drove straight to Rollag and entered at the east gate which was open, where we found Bart and Sarah Jennings waiting for us.
Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's HistoryEvery Labour Day weekend since 1954, generations of threshermen and women get together to relive the tradition of the good ol' days and bring the past to life for the enjoyment of young and old alike. Stop by Labour Day weekend and check out the show. We'll see you at the Hill, "Where the Sun Always Shines in Your Heart!"
It all started in 1940 with a little idea sparked from the soul of some local Threshermen over supper. The Nelson boys fired up the old Garr-Scott engine to thresh with steam again for old time sake with family and friends. The event continued once a year until 1954, when Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's Reunion met formally for the first time and invited the public. Today the show has grown to include hundreds of demonstrations and exhibits spread over 210 beautiful acres. The show attracts thousands of spectators and volunteers every Labour Day weekend.
Our Visit
The Great Northern station from Baker, built in 1900, is on the property.
Rollag scene with Sarah Jennings in this view. We drove into the grounds after Bart told us someone had already driven in and found Steve Mitchell of Yard Goat Video Productions who would join us at the first two stops of the day.
Buttzville Bathrooms. I found that name amusing as we may be in Buttzville, North Dakota later today.
The Milwaukee Road station from Hickson, North Dakota.
The water tower.
A beached Queen of the Lakes boat. Steven followed us back to where Bart and Sarah were and I told Bart about the Hickson station and he pointed me down to a third station.
The Flying A service station.
The Northern Pacific station from Hitterdal built in 1902. Bart and Sarah returned and then some construction workers arrived and they called Tom Hall for us and he arrived about fifteen minutes later. We all followed Tom to the roundhouse.
Dresser Trap Rock Co 0-4-0T 3 built by H.K. Porter in 1924, sold to Bonanzaville in 1982 and donated to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers at a later date.
Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad 0-6-0 353 built by Alco Brooks in 1920. In 1955, it was sold to Koppers Company as their 353 then donated to the Minnesota Transportation Museum before being sold to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers.
Soo Line wooden caboose 124 built by Terre Haute Car in 1886.
Switcher of unknown origin.
Northern Pacific wooden caboose 1750 built by Pacific Car and Foundry in 1921.
Northern Pacific bay window caboose 1572 built by Northern Pacific.
The roundhouse built in the 1990's.
The Armstrong turntable.
The Armstrong turntable and roundhouse.
A large crane.
Soo Line outside-braced box car 33340, built by American Car and Foundry in 1913.
The stock cars used to carry passengers.
SOO Line bunk car W-7xx.
A view of the property.
Pieces of Dresser Trap Rock Company 0-4-0T 5, ex. Don Ames 1982, exx. Bryan Dresser Trap Rock Incorporated 5, exxx. Dresser Trap Rock Company 5, exxxx. Birmingham Rail and Locomotive (dealer), exxxxx. Tallassee Power Company, nee L.E. Myers Company 5, built by H.K. Porter in 1923 and used as a parts source for sister engine 3.
Section houses.
Western Minnesota Steam Threshers flat car 90.
Our group in the roundhouse. A special thank you to Tom Hall for letting us visit the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers this morning. We all left for the next stop at Dalton.
| RETURN TO THE MAIN PAGE |