On June 22 the train will make a round trip from Minneapolis to Glencoe on the Twin Cities & Western’s former Milwaukee Road line that the Olympian Hiawatha used until it was discontinued in 1961. On June 23 the train will travel on TC&W from Minneapolis to Norwood where it will switch to the Minnesota Prairie Line’s former Minneapolis & St. Louis route to Winthrop. Passenger service ended on the M&StL route between Minneapolis and Watertown, S.D., on July 20, 1960. Photo runbys will be held both days.
No. 261 will power the trains on the westbound runs out of Minneapolis. Because there are no turning facilities for No. 261, newly acquired Milwaukee Road E9A No. 32A will pull the eastbound trips back to Minneapolis. These will be the first public excursions pulled by 32A since it was acquired by the Friends earlier this year.
While the trips are being operated for MRHA, Friends members and the public will be able to purchase any remaining tickets. The train will include Dome Class, Premium Class, Presidential Class, First Class, and Coach seating. Premium Class features seating in ex-Milwaukee Road Skytop observation car Cedar Rapids. Dome Class includes full length Super Dome No. 53 and ex-California Zephyr dome Silver Palace. Premium and Dome class includes a selection of complimentary meals, hors d’oeuvres and beverages and deluxe reserved seating, where passengers can enjoy a meal under glass. Presidential Class includes First Class service in a car specially designated for an individual or group.
Tickets will be available at www.261.com on March 28.
The recently acquired Milwaukee E-9 pulling the returns should provide a test of its operating condition.
Membership in both the MRHA and “Friends” yield great benefit to lovers of the Milwaukee Road and the June convention symbolizes that reality.