An Unusual Event: Palmer, The Princess, and Two Locomotives

Palmer Alvin Stadum (1909-1999)

In 1986, a special guest of honor was invited to the annual Høstfest in Minot (now North America’s largest celebration of the Scandi-navian culture). It was Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Norway, whose father was King Olav.   

Pam Davy, the Høstfest’s executive-director, accompanied her around the community, including a visit to the large shopping-center to see a Model Railroad Show featuring work by area model-builders. And there stood Palmer Stadum with two of his hand-crafted metal train locomotives (one of them he named “Scott” for his grandson). They are the locomotives on display here.

After that day, Palmer’s wife, Signe, wrote to relatives describing the Princess’s visit as “A most unusual event!” She said crowds had given Astrid more attention than they gave accordionist Myron Floren from the Lawrence Welk Show who performed at the Høstfest. And Astrid had given some of her attention to Palmer’s models.  Signe wrote: 

Can you imagine Palmer’s amazement when Princess Astrid and Co. walked in the main door and came over to him, shook his hand, and began asking questions about his models? Needless to say, he hates to wash the hand that shook the hand of royalty!

Luckily, someone was standing there with a camera and gave this photo to Palmer afterward.