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Milwaukee Road 261 to pull steam excursion to Duluth
No, #261 was a “put me together” during WW2 using Alco in-house prints.
The truly sad part is that, after a great rebuild, #261 is unable to run on her own rails, and while BNSF could not be more accomodating, capacity rules. So, a RT on the “Skally” line will do for now. My guess is ‘stay tuned.’
I, along with many others, miss the Milw. Rd. as a ‘complete transcon’ with many other redeeming virtues.
@Austin The Hinckley Subdivsion is not the Skally. What is left of the Skally runs from Hinckley to North Branch, present day St Croix Valley RR.
I hope she comes to Chicago also why can’t she run on home rails?
Was the 261 originally intended to be streamlined? It looks as if that was the original intention when the 261 was erected during WWII
261 has often run on ‘home rails’, operating many trips on the CP River Subdivision and several trips on the TC&W. Both lines are former Milwaukee Road trackage. We get many tremendous suggestions and I know the folks who do the planning take them into account. There are many factors that have to be considered in determining where and when we will operate.
Are there still “adult children” running the train. I have health problems and can’t afford to ride the train. I’d love to see it when it loads up passengers and take pictures. In the past when I’ve called up to ask when & where they don’t tell me. Then on their forums members of the group have complained about people like me. They “purposely” don’t say when and where to non ticket buyers. Their attitude is buy a ticket if you want to see the train. We’ll I DONT HAVE THE MONEY!
It would be nice to see her in Chicago again (just to come chugging out of the new “Canal & Lake Tunnel” if for no other reason). But with the trouble CP is having keeping Amtrak on schedule as it is, and with Harrison running CP now, I wouldn’t count on it.
Largest coal burning loco operational ??? What about the GTW 6325 ?
I have an issue with guys who want to photograph 261 and other locomotives and not buy a ticket. I bought a ticket for a 261 excursion and got yelled at by guys who wanted to photograph her when I was viewing the locomotive before it departed. I paid my money.Instead there are opportunities to photograph 261 from public property and you can see the train and get better photos than the guys who ride the excursion.
Also the southern part of the "Skally "remains intact running from the Twin Cities to White Bear Lake operation by the Minnesota Commercial. How About Bringing The 261 Back To Milwaukee, WI.
Also the southern part of the "Skally "remains intact running from the Twin Cities to White Bear Lake operation by the Minnesota Commercial. How About Bringing The 261 Back To Milwaukee, WI.
Also the southern part of the "Skally "remains intact running from the Twin Cities to White Bear Lake operation by the Minnesota Commercial. How About Bringing The 261 Back To Milwaukee, WI.
I would love to see her come back to Scranton, PA.
While GTW 6325 is a 4-8-4 also, the MILW 261 is quite a bit larger in physical size and weight. It is a noticeable difference in fact.
Mr. Walker, it’s fairly common knowledge that the train departs from and returns to Minneapolis Junction, in Northeast Minneapolis. Sorry to say, it’s not really conceivable to have someone answering a phone to let people know when the train will pass by a certain point during the trip. These operations take a lot of time and energy, and it’s always an ‘all hands on deck’ type of situation for the volunteers on and around the train. The safety and comfort of the passengers aboard the takes priority. I take offense to your low-blow comment.
Mr. Keegan, Thank You for your support.
Mr. Walker, it’s fairly common knowledge that the train departs from and returns to Minneapolis Junction, in Northeast Minneapolis. Sorry to say, it’s not really conceivable to have someone answering a phone to let people know when the train will pass by a certain point during the trip. These operations take a lot of time and energy, and it’s always an ‘all hands on deck’ type of situation for the volunteers on and around the train. The safety and comfort of the passengers aboard the takes priority. I take offense to your low-blow comment.
Mr. Keegan, Thank You for your support.
I saw nothing on the website about the Sept trip as of 4June14.
Any time a steam locomotive is allowed to get out on the “High Iron” and roll, it’s a beautiful thing. Especially when you consider how busy mainline railroads are these days. I live in Spokane, Wa. and I’ve always hoped the 261 could somehow, someday come out to this neck of the woods for some event (much like 4449 did going back east a few years ago). We railfans also need to always remember that ANY steam trip(s) are done purely by the good graces of the host railroad. BNSF in this case. I remember that, not too long ago BN had a “Hell No” policy regarding steam. I thank god everyday that they changed their minds and now allow some trips.