Ride The Rail With Chris

by Jerry Begley

Chris Guenzler has ridden over 1,491,227 miles of railroads in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. His accomplishments include the  titles “The Million Mile Rail Traveler”  and “The Million Mile Amtrak Rider”. Once he learned about the historic treasure located on the Lake Region Pioneers Threshermen’s Association grounds,  he contacted Wayne Swenson of LRPTA inquiring about the Deconville Locomotive Engine and could he ride on it.

The LRPTA rolled out the red carpet and June 2nd, Chris added to his mileage on the half mile track. The engineers powered up the locomotive, and it came steaming out of its dedicated shed, onto a siding track, and deftly backed the locomotive and passenger car to the historic Great Northern Railroad Depot. Once ready, the whistle blew, Chris and 21 other passengers boarded the car and enjoyed several laps around the track. Everyone got to experience the smoke and steam condensation blowing back into the open passenger car.  

But the day was not over for Chris, he continued on to North Dakota for railroad trips to Leonard, Davenport and Lisbon, North Dakota.

The historic Deconville engine has pulled freight on two continents and survived two World Wars. Built in Paris in 1914, captured by the German Army during World War II for hauling ammunition, it came to the LRPTA grounds in 1972.  

If you would like to learn more about Chris Guenzler go to www.trainweb.org/chris/.

You may view the Deconville Locomotive and the 1885 era Great Northern Plain Railroad Depot during the LRPTA days September 8, 9 and 10, 2017.