1740 N. Main Street, Hampstead, Maryland 21074
A group of forty people left from BRODBECKS, PA. by chartered
LINCOLN BUS for a four day tour June 4-5-6 and 7-1976 to Fort Erie,
Canada, Niagara Falls, Canada and the steam show at Norwich,
Ontario, Canada June 5-1976.
The group enjoyed an all day visit to the steam show seeing
Canadian and American Steam and Gas Engines and Threshers including
a large 50 H.P. Canadian Diesel weighing approximately 10 tons from
Gait, Ontario, with a 7 foot diam. flywheel, 22′ stroke and 11
bore; compressed air is used to start it; all equipment at the show
was in operation. There also was a large Museum building on the
grounds that contained a varied amount of antique exhibits of the
past, and quilts, etc.
Probably the main attraction was the huge 12 ton 1897 vintage
steam Calliope pulled in the parade by eight Belgian horses hitched
four abreast and played by a young man at the key board.
The city of NORWICH provided free transportation by three wagons
with bales of straw for seats and each drawn by two beautiful
Clydesdale horses to the NORWICH community MUSEUM at the opposite
end of town which many of our group enjoyed.
On June 6 sightseeing was enjoyed by all to the Canadian side of
the Niagara Falls area including the cable car ride over the
Whirlpool on the Niagara River below the Falls, The Floral Clock,
and the group was treated to lunch by Lincoln in the restaurant at
the top of the Panasonic Tower 300 feet above the Falls that
provided a magnificent view of the American and Canadian Horseshoe
Falls which all enjoyed and appreciated.
We also visited ‘The Pride of Fort Erie’ a large 4-8-4
Canadian National Railways Steam Locomotive No. 6218 on permanent
display at Fort Erie; this huge engine with a weight of over 300
tons has been viewed by people from all parts of the world: They
have an old railroad station which they are making into a railroad
museum and are planning landscaping and picnic grounds for the park
in the near future. This engine was retired from active service in
1971, presented to the city of Fort Erie and placed in her final
resting place in June 1974, is ninety five feet long and over
fifteen feet high. A caboose is also part of this diplay.
On our way home Monday, June 7 we visited the Golden Seal
Wineries at Hammondsport, N.Y. in the Finger Lakes region; after a
movie about the growing and harvesting wine grapes, making wine and
an interesting tour of the winery; samples were given to those who
enjoy wines while others who did not care for them, were given root
beer for refreshment.
