Making Tracks - C.L. Best and the Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Ed Claessenwas always intrigued by mechanical things. From steam locomotives on the Great Northern Railway to Caterpillar equipment and building roads, he never missed an opportunity to watch the action. So in 1973, when the State of Minnesota offered a bonus to Vietnam veterans, Ed spent his money on a Caterpillar Sixty tractor. That purchase has lead to nearly forty years of research and tractor restorations. It is from those projects thatMaking Trackshas emerged.Sue Claessenis a self-named read-a-holic who will start a novel at 10 p.m., finish it at 2 a.m., and be up for her job with the U.S. Postal Service at 5:30 a.m. Sue has dabbled with writing short stories while also penning newsletters for some hometown organizations.Making Tracksis her first published book.Both native Minnesotans, Ed and Sue have one grown son, Dan, and still live on the same land in rural Waverly that they moved to when they were married in 1974.