After riding the Excursion to Thorp on Saturday morning, and chasing it on Saturday afternoon, the next order of business was the convention Saturday night and, of course, the Sunday Excursion from Chippewa Falls to Cardigan Junction, north of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Saturday Evening
	Left to right: my wife, Anita; Graham, Hannah and Jill Stockfeld of Melbourne, Australia; and Pierre and Cecile Milot of Montreal, Quebec. Photo was taken September 20, 1997.

Sunday
	Irvine Yard, on the West side of Chippewa Falls, is near the Chippewa River. A thick fog hung over the yard as the crowd gathered, waiting to board for the day-long excursion along the old Soo main line from Minneapolis to Chicago. Photo was taken September 21, 1997.
	Jill and Graham Stockfeld brought seven-month old daughter Hannah from Melbourne, Australia to attend the Convention and tour the US before continuing on to England and home. Photo was taken September 21, 1997.
	Pierre and Cecile Milot came to the Convention from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sunday evening, they went to the Duluth, Minnesota area to visit another Internet friend, Deepak Das. Photo was taken September 21, 1997.
	The train stopped for water in New Richmond in both directions, and in the afternoon, we all unloaded and enjoyed a box lunch provided by the local model railroad club. After dropping us off, the train backed to where # 1003 could be watered, then pulled forward to re-board the passengers.Everyone wanted to be close to the big, beautiful steam locomotive! Photo was taken September 21, 1997.
	Late Evening, and we've returned to Chippewa Falls. The satisfied passengers have disembarked and begun their return trip home. Photo was taken September 21, 1997.