MILW 261

hoyden Jun 26, 2019

  1. hoyden

    hoyden TrainBoard Supporter

    815
    778
    30
    On Sunday I rode MILW 261 from Minneapolis, MN to Gaylord, MN. Departed Minneapolis at 9:00 am.
    IMG_5014.JPG
    I rode the dome car for the first time. The view was wonderful except for the persistent rain which spotted the windows.
    IMG_5033.JPG IMG_5032.JPG
    The 25 mile run from Norwood to Gaylord was on the M&StL main line to SD. There were plenty of folks chasing the train and trackside all down the line.
    IMG_5059.JPG
    From Minneapolis to Norwood we were on the MILW Pacific Extension. At Norwood we took the M&StL line towards SD. The track was in pretty good condition and we kept a steady pace of 25 mph. We had a photo runby in Hamburg


    We stopped west of Gaylord, about 4 miles short of Winthrop, MN, the intended terminus. I could see folks on the top of the tender with shovels enthusiastically working. After about 10 minutes we started backing up. We had reached the end and were heading back, arriving about 5:30 pm.
    IMG_5113.JPG
    IMG_5025.JPG
    It was a fun trip and The Friends of 261 did a grand job.
     
  2. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

    9,813
    14,199
    147
    That's awesome!!(y)(y)(y)
     
    Doug Gosha, Hardcoaler and hoyden like this.
  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,673
    44,835
    142
    With so many non-railroad owned steam locomotives sidelined, I'm really pleased to see the 261 in service. Such a beautiful machine. Thanks for the post! (y)
     
    Doug Gosha and hoyden like this.
  4. DiezMon

    DiezMon TrainBoard Supporter

    1,123
    147
    32
    It's a real bummer that they always have to have the second unit, since it blocks the Skytop view.
     
    hoyden likes this.
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,558
    22,732
    653
    Those place names have me thinking this is old M&St.L track?
     
    hoyden likes this.
  6. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

    3,595
    7,664
    80
    Absolutely beautiful and I am jealous. There is really nothing more spectacular or recognizable than the sound of a big steam locomotive laboring to move a train.

    Doug
     
    badlandnp and hoyden like this.
  7. hoyden

    hoyden TrainBoard Supporter

    815
    778
    30
    Last summer when I was on my bike I found 261 on the track next to the trail. This summer I made sure I was on the train.

    The line from Norwood to Gaylord is the old M&StL line to Watertown, SD. At one time it crossed MILW at Norwood. The portion from Hopkins to Norwood was abandoned. The remaining line is owned by MN Valley Regional Railroad Authority and operated by MN Prairie Line.

    I also lament the diesel behind the Skytop. There's no way to turn the train so it gets pulled back to Minneapolis.

    Thanks to Twin Cities & Western, and MN Prairie Line for allowing 261 to operate over their lines.
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  8. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

    3,595
    7,664
    80
    I wouldn't lament the E8/9 too badly. It's beautiful too and period correct.

    Doug
     
    hoyden and Kurt Moose like this.
  9. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

    9,813
    14,199
    147
    Atleast the E was at the end of the train , and not right behind the 261.
     
    hoyden and Doug Gosha like this.
  10. RailMix

    RailMix TrainBoard Member

    1,527
    3,827
    60
    I think this is the first time I've seen video of the 261. Magnificent! As far as having to pull the train back to Minneapolis, I can't think of a classier way to accomplish that than to use a classic passenger diesel. Almost two for the price of one.
     
    Doug Gosha, hoyden and Kurt Moose like this.
  11. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

    9,813
    14,199
    147
    If the E could be painted into Milw colors, that'd be cool!(y)
     
    Doug Gosha and hoyden like this.
  12. hoyden

    hoyden TrainBoard Supporter

    815
    778
    30
    Here's a few E9 pics I took back at Minneapolis.
    IMG_5031.JPG IMG_5029.JPG
     
  13. hoyden

    hoyden TrainBoard Supporter

    815
    778
    30
    And a couple three 261 closeups.
    IMG_5021.JPG
    IMG_5022.JPG IMG_5020.JPG
     
  14. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

    1,766
    452
    35
    The 101 looks great now, I can only imagine what it will look like in MILW colors!
     
    hoyden and Kurt Moose like this.
  15. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

    3,595
    7,664
    80
    Whatever the colors, they did a beautiful job on 101, not to mention the 261.

    Doug
     
    hoyden likes this.
  16. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

    9,813
    14,199
    147
    Hopefully repainted in the Orange/Maroon scheme!(y)
     
  17. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

    3,595
    7,664
    80
    In an ideal world, yes!

    :D

    Doug
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  18. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

    911
    1,272
    33
    At least it's a locomotive that somewhat matches the era of the steam engine.

    I am so very envious as well.
     
  19. hoyden

    hoyden TrainBoard Supporter

    815
    778
    30
    I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and sharing perspectives. I feel a deeper appreciation for Friends of 261 running the excursion, and TCWR and MPLI for making their lines available. I took a bunch of pictures but most of them are less than watch-worthy due to the rain spotted windows and my photographic inexperience. Here's a few more that highlight some of the sights.

    IMG_5055.JPG


    At one time MILW here was all two track.
    IMG_5064.JPG


    At Norwood we're leaving MILW and running on legacy M&StL track.
    IMG_5073.JPG IMG_5074.JPG


    All along the line I saw MOW equipment and hoppers with ballast.
    IMG_5092.JPG
    IMG_5063.JPG


    More than a few railroad customers as we roll through the towns along the way.
    IMG_5099.JPG


    Stopped just beyond Gaylord. I heard there was a problem feeding coal. Someone thought the damp conditions were the cause.
    IMG_5117.JPG


    On the return trip it was harder to get pics since I was at the wrong end of the dome. The staff flopped the seats around so we didn't have to sit backwards.
    IMG_5119.JPG
     
    badlandnp, Kurt Moose and Hytec like this.
  20. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

    13,965
    6,903
    183
    I think your photos are great. They express the feeling of an actual fan trip, wet windows and all.
     
    Doug Gosha and hoyden like this.

Share This Page