Steam & Excursion > Milwaukee Road 261 USA 250 Hiawatha

Date: 08/26/26 19:42
Milwaukee Road 261 USA 250 Hiawatha
Author: jrpoland

The Friends of the 261 operated a series of excursions over the Twin Cities & Western on July 17-19 behind 4-8-4 "Northern" Milwaukee Road 261. I went up to Montevideo, Minnesota on Saturday the 18th to see the excursion runs to Granite Falls and Appleton happening throughout the day. The plan was to wye the train in Appleton so the 261 would lead back to the Twin Cities on Sunday. Unfortunately that didn't happen and I didn't stay to chase the train on Sunday behind a TC&W geep.

1. 261 passes some soybeans as they travel back to Montevideo on the first of two short runs to Granite Falls.
2. The train just west of Milan on the afternoon excursion to Appleton.
3. Approaching Appleton putting on a good show.

Joel Poland
Columbus, NE