Nostalgia & History > Mississippian 77 in better days.

Ex-JLC&E, ex-Frisco,ex-Mississippian No. 77 is seen romping along on a fantrip back in 1971. I don't have the particulars on this trip, but have been scanning about 20 slides for auction later down the line. All were taken by Joe Collias.
I'm sure John Craft or someone out there can fill in the blanks.

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Here is the same locomotive at Stettler AB, where it sees regular tourist train service in the summer between Stettler and Big Valley AB on the Alberta Prairie Railway.

The story I heard was that this locomotive was privately owned by someone in the US, who bought the locomotive to Canada for excursion service as long as he got to operate it from time to time. At some time, the locomotive needed substantial mechanical repairs, beyond the financial resources of its owner. At that time, ownership was transferred to the non profit society which operates the tourist train.

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Looks alot better in the 2nd photo. Not all painted up like a circus wagon!