Milwaukee Road #261 will pull 7-8 hour roundtrip "Gourmet Express" excursions on September 8 & 9, 2018 from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The train will travel over the former Milwaukee Road Mainline, now operated by the Twin Cities & Western Railroad. The excursion operates west from Minneapolis to Glencoe, Minnesota.
Milwaukee Road #261 is a 4-8-4, coal burning, standard gauge steam locomotive built by ALCO in 1944. One of the largest coal burning steam locomotives in operation, she is owned and maintained by the "Friends of the #261" located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This excursion is being operated as a fundraiser for Positive Train Control.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ---> 261.com/excursions/gourmet-express/
I wrote a review from an excursion on the #261 a few years ago. While this was a review for a mainline trip from Minneapolis to Duluth, it contains many photos of the locomotive and train and also gives some tips about hotel and travel options in Minneapolis. The review is here --> review-and-travel-tips-for-261-minneapolis-duluth-excursion.html
Railfans should note - the Following weekend, September 15 & 16, 2018, Nickel Plate #765 operates "Joliet Rocket" mainline excursions from Joliet, Illinois to Chicago Illinois. Minneapolis and Chicago are conveniently connected via Amtrak's Empire Builder. The Illinois Railway Musuem, in Union, Illinois, see steam by state - will be open during the week, and also operating their fantastic "Museum Showcase Weekend" September 15 & 16, and are offering a discount to passengers with tickets aboard the #765 trips.
Milwaukee Road #261 is a 4-8-4, coal burning, standard gauge steam locomotive built by ALCO in 1944. One of the largest coal burning steam locomotives in operation, she is owned and maintained by the "Friends of the #261" located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This excursion is being operated as a fundraiser for Positive Train Control.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ---> 261.com/excursions/gourmet-express/
I wrote a review from an excursion on the #261 a few years ago. While this was a review for a mainline trip from Minneapolis to Duluth, it contains many photos of the locomotive and train and also gives some tips about hotel and travel options in Minneapolis. The review is here --> review-and-travel-tips-for-261-minneapolis-duluth-excursion.html
Railfans should note - the Following weekend, September 15 & 16, 2018, Nickel Plate #765 operates "Joliet Rocket" mainline excursions from Joliet, Illinois to Chicago Illinois. Minneapolis and Chicago are conveniently connected via Amtrak's Empire Builder. The Illinois Railway Musuem, in Union, Illinois, see steam by state - will be open during the week, and also operating their fantastic "Museum Showcase Weekend" September 15 & 16, and are offering a discount to passengers with tickets aboard the #765 trips.
Milwaukee Road #261, a coal fired, 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive will pull "Gourmet Express" excursions from Minneapolis Minnesota in September of 2018. ALCO | 1944.
