Steam & Excursion > Loud and Proud- Milwaukee Road 261 on Gourmet Express

The Friends of the 261 group operated a couple of excursions focused on fine food the weekend of September 21-22. The train ran over the Twins Cities and Western between St. Louis Park and Plato, MN. After a long drive up from Chicago Satirday morning, I arrived at Cologne, MN about 45 minutes ahead of the train. Luck was with me as the sun broke through the overcast as the train arrived.

1 and 2. 261 rolls into Cologne
3. Onlookers of all ages wave as the train passes



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/19 18:59 by kevink.

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It was a quick drive west on US 212 to Bongards, MN. Good thing I stopped because they did two photo runbys for the people on the train.
4. Train arriving in town
5. Going away shot as the train stops.
6. Backing up for the first run-by
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/19 19:04 by kevink.

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Video of the first run-by at Bongards, MN. It was pretty windy so apologies for the wind noise.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/19 19:10 by kevink.

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7. While the passengers boarded the train after the runby, I (and a whole bunch of others) found a nice crossing west of Bongards. Here 261 is approaching Salem Avenue.
8 and 9. Just west of Norwood/Young America, MN, 261 rolls west at Wells Avenue

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/19 19:16 by kevink.

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10-12. The end of the run west was Plato, MN where the train stopped on the west side of the small town. It would reverse direction and return to St. Louis Park led by the recently acquired former WSOR E8.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/19 19:19 by kevink.

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Great coverage. You saved your best photo for last. 
Bob

Very nice video & photos.  Thanks for sharing.

Very nice photos!!

Posted from Android

Wonderful coverage of Milwaukee Road 261.  Neat how folks in that area mow the grass along the right of way.

Great series, and it looked like the weather got better and better as the day progressed.

Bob

Very nice video, lovely consist behind 261. Thanks.

cozephyr Wrote:
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> Wonderful coverage of Milwaukee Road 261.  Neat
> how folks in that area mow the grass along the
> right of way.

Thanks. It seems to be a rural midwestern thing to mow up to the ballast especially in the smaller towns.

bobdavis Wrote:
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> Great series, and it looked like the weather got
> better and better as the day progressed.

Thanks and except for one bank of clouds the almost blocked the shot west on Bongards, the skies continued to clear. The winds did pick up but since they seemed to chase the clouds away, it seemed to be a fair exchange.