at the banquet front table - John Stubblefield - Dave Ingles - Dick Wallin - Wallace Abbey SOO Line VP

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Hi Mike,

One photo shows Wallace "Wally" Abbey at the WGRF banquet in Minneapolis, but let me tell you a story about him which I think should be published in your WGRF photo website:

I was "in charge" of the first Twin Cities WGRF, which was a bit of a stretch since I had only briefly railfanned the area only once. So anyway,
I wrote to all the RRs, GN, NP, MILW, MN&S & SOO LINE. Every one EXCEPT Soo Line answered back.

I was making a subsequent swing through the area, to touch base with the various RRs that had responded. It was mid-afternoon, so I figured what the hell, I'll stop by
Soo Line's main office, all they can do is kick me out. I had written to their V.P. of Public Relations, Wallace Abbey, but having gotten no response, I figured
he'd since moved on from his railfanning days when he was I think Associate Editor of Trains Magazine, and probably did not have time for current-day railfans. Boy was I wrong!

I found his office, told his secretary who I was and no, I didn't have an appointment. She put my name on his intercom and in about 2 seconds, here he comes
bounding through the door, apologizing profusely for not having answered my letter, welcoming me to the Soo's offices, etc.

He asked did I have my camera with me, yes in my car, he tells his secretary he'll be gone for the day, and says let's go chase some trains! In his company car, we hit all
the engine terminals, and gave me a grand tour of Soo's large Shoreham Shops and engine terminal. During all this, he's asking what WGRF is all about, and he
says, yes of course Soo will give you guys full access to the property. Not only that, but he says he wants to have everyone out to his house for a cookout
one evening of the convention! I tell him hey you don't want a bunch of sweaty guys with oil and mud on their shoes at your house. No problem he
says and sure enough he and his wife Martha were very gracious hosts for one of the most unique and enjoyable WGRF evenings ever!

Think this story should be passed along for all to enjoy, and I'm sure there are a few still alive who recall Abbey's cookout!

Dick Wallin