The Graduating Class of 1961, Cadott High School (my "alma mater") held their 35th reunion in the summer of 1996, so Anita and I left the bluegrass to journey north. Naturally we couldn't let the opportunity pass without doing some "railroad stuff". That weekend was supposed to be the monthly outing for the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Steam locomotive, and we weren't about to be in Wisconsin and let that pass. We were somewhat disappointed when we arrived in Osceola to find that steam power had been cancelled and we would have to ride behind a diesel switcher. But I think you'll agree that it is a beautifully-kept switcher, very attractive in it's Northern Pacific colors. It was built by Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) in 1958. I suppose I should also mention that the black and gold on this Locomotive are also the official school colors of the Cadott Hornets! So we'll consider this page a tribute not only to the NP but to CHS as well.

The O&SCV RR runs weekend and holiday excursions, from the end of May to the end of October, from their restored depot in Osceola, Wisconsin. The excursion is a 90-minute round trip to Marine-on-St. Croix, MN, and, in June, July, August and October, a 45-minute trip to Dresser, WI. Call 1-800-643-7412 for schedules, fares, reservations and other information.

Photos were taken July 20, 1996.