Milwaukee Road 261
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MilRail261GrandExcursion20040628A.jpg
Milwaukee_Road_261.jpg
The Milwaukee Road 261 is a steam-powered locomotive maintained by a Minnesota-based organization known as The Friends of the 261, which runs seasonal train excursions. The steam engine was rebuilt in 1993, and has logged more than 25,000 miles under its own power since that time. It was originally operated by the Milwaukee Road when that rail company was officially known as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific. The locomotive is fueled by coal and has wheels in a 4-8-4 configuration.
In 2004, the locomotive participated in the Grand Excursion held that year. It ran from Chicago, Illinois to the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. The train then traveled north along rails near the Mississippi River up to the Twin Cities, stopping at a number of communities along the way. For a day, the locomotive was joined by the Canadian Pacific 2816, pulling the train in a "doubleheader" setup.
Most excursions with the locomotive are assisted by modern diesel-electric locomotives provided by Amtrak. Those engines can help pull longer trains or provide motive power if the 261 were to break down en route, and they also provide head end power for the passenger cars. In recent years, these have usually been GE P42 locomotives. Trains pulled by the 261 often have a Skytop lounge as the trailing car.
The locomotive's storage facility and maintenance base is at Minneapolis Juction in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
External link
- The Friends of the 261 (http://www.261.com/)