Milwaukee Road Passenger cars through Columbus, WI

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Wow! I was having lunch yesterday at the diner by the Columbus Wi depot when the Eastbound Empire Builder came in. I’ve seen this many a time but was amazed when they pulled out to see two Milwaukee Road Hiawatha passenger cars on the rear including the famous end of train observation car (sorry I did not get the #), also the Cedar Rapids car and a private car labeled the Gritty Palace with GNB &Y markings (don’t see any such reporting marks on any of my lists). All three cars appeared to be empty.

I thought it might be a positioning move for a Friends of #261 excursion but don’t seem to be any in the near future.

Anyone out there know what might be going on with this move?

2

There is one to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum/ North Shore Scenic Railroad aka my job, fairly soon. They are due here around June 2nd.

3

The cars were moving to Chicago for a NRA charter trip from Chicago to Sturdevant and back May 19. (No, not that NRA, but rather the National Restaurant association). Along with the two MILW cars there were a few other private varnish cars that were added to make up the train at Chicago.

Noah