The American Locomotive Co. completed the Northern-type locomotive in 1944, but it was only in regular service until 1954. The Milwaukee Road donated the locomotive to the National Railroad Museum of Green Bay, Wis., in 1956. In late 1991 the locomotive was leased from the museum; it made its first excursion trip in September 1993. The Friends of the 261 purchased the engine from the museum in 2010. No. 261 is the largest coal-burning steam locomotive in operation in the U.S.
The excursion will depart the Friends of the 261 shop in Minneapolis at 9 a.m. on June 4, traveling via BNSF Railway’s ex-Great Northern Hinckley and Lakes subdivisions to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth for a 3 p.m. arrival. The line boasts several large steel trestles, including a tall bridge over the Kettle River at Sandstone, Minn.
After overnighting at the museum, the excursion will return to Minneapolis on June 5 over the same route, leaving Duluth at noon and arriving in Minneapolis at 5 p.m.
The excursion will include coach, first class, and premium class seating. Premium class includes seating in ex-Milwaukee Road Skytop observation car Cedar Rapids or Super Dome No. 53.
More information is available on the Friends’ website.
I’m surprised LSRM hasn’t made any plans of a dinner train, with or without the soon-to-be-completed 2-8-0 #28.
There is a pizza train planned but perhaps they’ll add dinner later? Will be interesting to see.
I would buy a ticket if they brought 261 to Kansas City, although its a long shot I know.
Ugh, I would love to fly out to Minny for these trips, but I'm spending that weekend with 611 in Virginia. I hope 261 makes other runs this year!