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| Title: |
Miracles Do Come True |
| Description: |
I never thought I would see a Milwaukee Road steam locomotive, much less one in operation. The grand old 261 sure proved me wrong, thank God. Here she is at the end of the line with the 1 P.M. North Pole Express. Dig that smoke plume. |
| Photo Date: |
12/9/2017 Upload Date: 12/13/2017 6:40:54 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Roster,Winter,Steam |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
88 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Heading For Old St. Nick's Place |
| Description: |
The North Pole Express chugs along, minutes from its destination at the North Pole. Speaking of poles, I should have waited a second or so more before taking this shot. The light pole at left kind of messes with the view of the 261. |
| Photo Date: |
12/9/2017 Upload Date: 12/13/2017 6:36:05 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Signal,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
96 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
261 To The Pole |
| Description: |
The North Pole Express makes its arrival at the North Pole on a relatively pleasant December afternoon. Ah to be a kid again... |
| Photo Date: |
12/9/2017 Upload Date: 12/13/2017 6:36:54 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
128 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Passing The Signals |
| Description: |
The 261 passes beneath the signals at the east end of St. Paul Union Depot as the 1 P.M. run to the North Pole heads out. |
| Photo Date: |
12/9/2017 Upload Date: 12/9/2017 8:31:20 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Paul, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Winter,Steam,Signal,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
154 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
"MILW 261 West" At Powers Blvd |
| Description: |
"Milw 261 West" crosses Powers Blvd in grand style on a sunny, cool, and breezy Saturday afternoon on the second weekend in September. Many patrons were enjoying good eats on this trip, because the excursions run this weekend were dubbed the "Gourmet Express" due to the food-oriented nature of the trip. The track warrant was nevertheless issued to "MILW 261 West" when the Gourmet Express was at Tower E-14 in Minnetonka, the beginning of Twin Cities & Western-owned track. |
| Photo Date: |
9/8/2018 Upload Date: 9/9/2018 5:49:53 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Bridge,Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
270 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Showtime At Beltline |
| Description: |
Rick (far left) and other railfans and onlookers enjoy showtime at Beltline Boulevard as Steve and his crew get up to track speed on their way to Glencoe. Note the historic concrete silo now owned by Nordic Ware. |
| Photo Date: |
6/22/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 10:24:53 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
91 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Showtime At Bass Lake |
| Description: |
Steve and his crew brings their train, a westbound run to Glencoe, off the old Louie and onto the old Milwaukee down at what once was the sprawling Bass Lake Yard of the Milwaukee Road. |
| Photo Date: |
6/22/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 10:22:54 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
81 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Back To The Fifties! |
| Description: |
The Milwaukee Road Historical Association had their convention in St. Paul this year, so the Friends of the 261 put on an excursion for them and the general public, resulting in this mondo excursion consist. Note the Friends new classic diesel, still sporting Wisconsin & Southern paint and number but also a classy Hiawatha logo. Talk about "back to the fifties"! |
| Photo Date: |
6/22/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 10:38:01 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A) |
| Views: |
472 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
"Look Up, Brother! She's Steam!" |
| Description: |
Here comes Steve and the 261 crew with their 1944-vintage Alco, about to bring their train off the old Minneapolis & St. Louis and onto the old Milwaukee Road down east of Beltline Boulevard. Note how while the lady at right is appreciating the 261, the dude jogging across the tracks reminds me of a comment David P. Morgan wanted to shout at a Canadian commuter reading his paper while a Canadian Pacific steam engine on a commuter run passed him: "Look up, brother! She's steam!" |
| Photo Date: |
6/22/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 10:22:16 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
87 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Getting Up To Speed |
| Description: |
Steve and the crew are starting to get their iron horse up to speed as they head west on the old Milwaukee Road at Bass Lake Yard late on a fine June Saturday morning. |
| Photo Date: |
6/22/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 10:23:44 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
130 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Here She Comes |
| Description: |
Today's westbound run, this time to Winthrop, MN, nears my vantage point, the new pedestrian grade crossing along the Twin Cities & Western down by Eden Prairie High School. Wish I had left the flash on, which would have cut the headlight glare, but oh well. |
| Photo Date: |
6/23/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 11:10:37 PM |
| Location: |
Eden Prairie, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
108 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Nearing Eden Prairie Road |
| Description: |
The weather for the secon day of the 261's excursions dawned gray and humid with passing showers, but the train made it out of town on time and soon was romping down the old Milwaukee Road. Here the 261 is nearing Eden Prairie Road. |
| Photo Date: |
6/23/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 11:00:24 PM |
| Location: |
Eden Prairie, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
102 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Wow! |
| Description: |
This was an unplanned shot, and the flash came on for this because I was fiddling with my camera settings before taking the shot. The flash cut through the humidity in the air, creating this cool effect. Not bad for a chance shot! |
| Photo Date: |
6/23/2019 Upload Date: 6/23/2019 11:12:21 PM |
| Location: |
Eden Prairie, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
120 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
Westbound At Powers |
| Description: |
The westbound "Gourmet Express" approaches Powers Boulevard early on a mostly cloudy, humid, and breezy Saturday afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
9/21/2019 Upload Date: 9/21/2019 10:36:51 PM |
| Location: |
Chanhassen, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
82 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
E-Unit And A 4-8-4 |
| Description: |
The eastbound "Gourmet Express" nears Shady Oak Road, minutes from its destination, St. Louis Park. I never dared dream I would get an E-unit and a 4-8-4 in the same shot, not to mention no less than three dome cars! |
| Photo Date: |
9/22/2019 Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:06:22 PM |
| Location: |
Minnetonka, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
301 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Smokin' It Up |
| Description: |
Now along for the ride after pulling the train west, the 261 smokes it up as her crew awaits the train's arrival at St. Louis Park. Cool, damp weather helped make the 261's smoke gray-white this day. |
| Photo Date: |
9/22/2019 Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:08:22 PM |
| Location: |
Minnetonka, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
118 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Steam and Steel |
| Description: |
Due to cool, damp weather, the 261 was a living picture of steam and steel as she rolled back to town on the eastbound run of the "Gourmet Express." |
| Photo Date: |
9/22/2019 Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:09:54 PM |
| Location: |
Minnetonka, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
89 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Confab In The Cab |
| Description: |
The 261's crew confabs in the cab as preparations for a special trip for Loram employees take place. I love how the Milwaukee Road was one of those railways that proudly identified was class of engine their steamers were, which is an S-3 4-8-4 Northern in the 261's case. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:21:55 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
136 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Tending The 261 |
| Description: |
The 261's crew tends to their iron horse prior to their special evening rum for Loram employees. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:23:06 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
160 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Red Side Of The Lamps |
| Description: |
I never caught the red side of the lamps on the 261's front so well until I snapped this photo. Old friends can still surprise us. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:09:56 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
114 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
There Is The Train! |
| Description: |
Here comes the Friends of the 261's special for Loram, almost to its destination down by Brunswick. Cars at left are the coach section from trips run over the Twin Cities & Western the past weekend. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:51:01 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
RollingStock,Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
337 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Approaching Wooddale |
| Description: |
The Friends of the 261's special for Loram passes Southwest LRT construction as the train approaches Wooddale late on a warm late September afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:51:47 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger,Action |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 32A(E9A) WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
296 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
261 On A Tuesday |
| Description: |
A Loram employee (in blue at left) takes a photo of the 261 late on a Tuesday afternoon prior to a special run sponsored by Loram. I never thought I would see the 261 operating on a Tuesday. Thank you, Railway Interchange conference, for being the catalyst for extra runs of the 261 after a weekend's worth of trips on the old Milwaukee Road west of the Twin Cities. |
| Photo Date: |
9/24/2019 Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:10:29 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Louis Park, MN |
| Author: |
Tony Held |
| Categories: |
Steam,Passenger |
| Locomotives: |
MILW 261(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
132 Comments: 1 |
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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: |
240 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: |
221 Comments: 1 |
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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: |
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: |
74 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: |
163 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: |
88 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: |
137 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: |
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: |
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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