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| Title: |
I Hope Nobody Was Blasé About This |
| Description: |
There is my old friend the Milwaukee 261, crossing Wooddale Avenue in reverse as a special run for Loram workers reaches its boarding point down by Brunswick. I sure hope one of the motorists waiting for the train were blasé at the sight of the living, breathing 1944-vintage steam locomotive. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:24:30 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
158 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
My Old Friend |
| Description: |
I have been following (and sometimes riding behind or visiting the cab of) the 261 since 1997, back when Union Pacific 4014's boiler was cold but dry out in Southern California. As cool as an operating Big Boy is, the 261, one of the few surviving, and sole operating, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific steam engines, is my old friend. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:09:31 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
239 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
Here Comes The Miracle Of The Rails |
| Description: |
The 261 rolls along with the rest of the Loram special as the train arrives at the boarding site in St. Louis Park. May your luck always be good, 261! I could not believe the sight of an operating Milwaukee Road steam engine when I first glimpsed her in the documentary "Lost Twin Cities," but "Trains" and "Railfan & Railroad" soon confirmed the 261's existence. I have now dubbed her "the Miracle of the Rails" due to her long, successful career as an excursion engine. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:23:36 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
219 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Train And A Bridge |
| Description: |
The west end of the Loram special run by the 261 group faces the venerable bridge over the old Milwaukee Road/Minneapolis & St. Louis corridor. The cranes working on the removal of a bridge on the old Louie, long since a trail, testify to the massive changes in store with the coming of the co-location of freight rail with the Southwest LRT. In fact, the old Milwaukee at left will be replaced by the LRT at the spot, so this vista is a snapshot of not only what is to come but also what was. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:09:13 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Bridge,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
341 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Hallowed Initials |
| Description: |
The "Silver Palace" proudly sports the initials of the Western Pacific, one of the three partners in the original "California Zephyr" (the Burlington and the Rio Grande being the other two). |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:24:10 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
RollingStock |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
179 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
New Angle |
| Description: |
I have photographed good old 8327 from many angles over the years since she took up residence at Bandana Square, but I have never photographed her from across Energy Park Drive before. This day was chilly but snow-free, making photography easy. |
| Photo Date: |
12/12/2020 Upload Date: 12/12/2020 6:20:25 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GTW 8327(0-8-0) |
| Views: |
298 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Hey There, My Friend |
| Description: |
My old friend, Milwaukee Road 261, basks in the autumn sun and the attention of fans and onlookers down by Walgreens in Chanhassen late on a Sunday afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
10/3/2021 Upload Date: 10/3/2021 8:57:55 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
104 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Autumn Glory |
| Description: |
The glory of autumn leaves is accentuated by the glory of the Milwaukee Road 261 and its consist late on a Sunday afternoon during the first weekend of October, 2021. |
| Photo Date: |
10/3/2021 Upload Date: 10/3/2021 8:56:52 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
28 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Welcome Back, 26! |
| Description: |
Fans and onlookers admire the beauty that is Milwaukee Road 261 after the "Gourmet Express" returned to Chanhassen on a lovely Sunday afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
10/3/2021 Upload Date: 10/3/2021 8:55:55 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
64 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Back In Chan |
| Description: |
Milwaukee Road 261 basks in the late afternoon sun after the Sunday "Gourmet Express" returned to Chanhassen. |
| Photo Date: |
10/3/2021 Upload Date: 10/3/2021 8:55:05 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
73 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Departing Chan |
| Description: |
Milwaukee E9 32A leads the train out of Chanhassen at the end of a weekend of "Gourmet Express" trips out of Chan. All I had time for was this grab shot from my Honda CRV as the train began to cross Great Plains Blvd, watched by motorists, railfans, and onlookers. |
| Photo Date: |
10/3/2021 Upload Date: 10/3/2021 8:58:55 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
104 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Short Stop |
| Description: |
The North Pole Express makes a short stop before heading on to the end of the on the first run of the day. I saw a crew member get off the 261 and 32A before I snapped this picture. Maybe there was a quick confab about something, or Santa was being greeted before he boarded. |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:49:26 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
162 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Looking Good In Lights |
| Description: |
The 261 looks good in lights again after a year's hiatus from Union Depot due to COVID-19. Here the 261 is slowing down to make a stop before proceeding on to the end of the line on the first North Pole Express run of the day. |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:35:59 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
86 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Looking Good In Lights Too |
| Description: |
The Friends of the 261's classic E9 looks as fabulous in lights as it does in its snazzy paint job. The wreaths are a nice touch too. Ah the holidays... |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:50:32 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Roster,Winter |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
166 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
First Arrival For The Day |
| Description: |
The North Pole Express arrives at the end of the line shortly after the first run at 3 P.M. Now Santa and his helpers can do their meet and greet with dozens of kids and their parents eager for a confab with the jolly old elf himself before the train returns to Union Depot. |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:48:28 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
136 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Steam Returns! |
| Description: |
After an absence of a year, steam returned to St. Paul Union Depot as the Friends of the 261's North Pole Express made its return. Here the train is awaiting the first departure of the day, at 3 P.M., on a relatively mild Sunday afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:25:49 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Station,Steam,Signal,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
90 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Almost There |
| Description: |
The first run of the Holiday Express for Sunday, December 5, 2021 nears the end of the line beneath cloudy but relatively mild skies with a load of kids and their parents looking forward to meeting Santa and his elves. |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:47:32 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
115 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Passing Highway 52 |
| Description: |
The North Pole Express passes under Highway 52 shortly after 3 P.M. on the first Sunday in December, 2021. |
| Photo Date: |
12/5/2021 Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:26:53 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
143 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Andy In The Engineer's Seat |
| Description: |
My buddy Andy poses in the engineer's seat aboard GN 2523 thanks to the engine being open the day we visited. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:22:35 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
82 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Narly Driving Wheels And Pistons |
| Description: |
GN 2523's driving wheels sure look narly in white and black. Ditto the white pistons. Great Northern sure painted their steam engines with flair! |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:19:04 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
27 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Imposing Front |
| Description: |
The front of GN 2526 sure is imposing. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:17:55 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
75 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Engine Number And Markings |
| Description: |
Detail shot of the engine number and other markings below the right side of GN 2523's cab. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:20:01 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
72 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Christmas In June |
| Description: |
Great Northern 2523 still sports her Christmas lights on a warm and sunny June afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:18:33 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
92 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Classic Logo |
| Description: |
The Great Northern logo on the right side of GN 2523's tender. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:20:18 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
67 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
How She Got Here |
| Description: |
This interpretive sign on the right side of GN 2523's tenders relates how she got from the Willmar roundhouse to her current display site. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:21:35 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
90 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Tony In The Engineer's Seat |
| Description: |
GN 2523's cab was open depsite the Kandiyohi County Museum being closed, which offered me and my friend Andy chances to photograph each other in the cab. Here I am in the hallowed engineer's seat, playing out a childhood daydream of growing up to be an engineer. |
| Photo Date: |
6/12/2022 Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:22:20 PM |
| Location: |
Willmar, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
GN 2523(4-8-2) |
| Views: |
80 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Hello, Chan! |
| Description: |
Shortly before 12:30 P.M. on the first Saturday of October, 2022, the crew aboard the Milwaukee 261 brings the "Gourmet Express" crosses Highway 101 as the train enters Chanhassen, where passengers will board for a run west on the Twin Cities & Western. |
| Photo Date: |
10/1/2022 Upload Date: 10/3/2022 8:59:59 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
33 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Glorious E-Unit |
| Description: |
The Milwaukee 32A brings up the rear of the 2022 "Gourmet Express" as the train crosses Highway 101 while entering Chanhassen, where passengers will embark on a run west along the Twin Cities & Western. |
| Photo Date: |
10/1/2022 Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:00:28 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
54 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Charging Through Chaska |
| Description: |
Steve Sandburg and company have the 261 running at a good gait as the 2022 "Gourmet Express" charges through Chaska shortly after 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of October, 2022. |
| Photo Date: |
10/1/2022 Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:01:50 PM |
| Location: |
Chaska, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
70 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Back In Hopkins |
| Description: |
The consist for the Friends of the 261's 2022 "Gourmet Express" stops in Hopkins to disembark volunteers late on the afternoon of the first Sunday of October, 2022. The snappy-looking 32A was the crew's motive power on eastbound runs, as per normal operations where the train cannot be turned. |
| Photo Date: |
10/2/2022 Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:03:17 PM |
| Location: |
Hopkins, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
47 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Classy Train |
| Description: |
The consist for the 2022 "Gourmet Express" is back in Hopkins after a weekend of trips out of Chanhassen over the Twin Cities & Western. What a classy train the Friends of the 261 have put together over the years! |
| Photo Date: |
10/2/2022 Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:04:34 PM |
| Location: |
Hopkins, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 32A(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
86 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Almost Home |
| Description: |
The Milwaukee 261 is almost home as the train pauses to disembark volunteers in Hopkins prior to being led back to town by a PTC-equipped TCWR unit. The fall colors and big building add nice contrasts to this living legend of the rails. |
| Photo Date: |
10/2/2022 Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:05:59 PM |
| Location: |
Hopkins, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
59 Comments: 0 |
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