MILW 261 struts her stuff crossing the Kettle River in rural Sandstone, MN on her way north from Minneapolis to Duluth on her inaugural public excursion after her extensive rebuild.

No the 261 did not travel back in time. I do wonder how much rutabagas cost in the old girl's prime.

A morning of battling snow squalls, hail, wind gusts and rain pays off as a resplendent 261 traverses the span at Sandstone en route to Duluth.

Mass pandemonium! 261 draws big crowds trackside as it arrives at the Duluth depot. Within a few minutes, the big 4-8-4 was surrounded!

261 steams off of the BNSF's Coal Runner and heads for the Grassy Point Draw.

261 rolls up to the north end of Cambridge siding for servicing.

261 is underway again after having paused briefly for the conductor to line the train into the siding at Cambridge, Minnesota.

The 261 steams south towards Askov, MN on a beautiful afternoon.

261 simmers away at the shops ready to pulls the next days train from The Cities for Duluth.

Under way again 261 creeps through University Avenue in the late afternoon and on it's final stretch home from Duluth.

After servicing at Cambridge MILW 261 waits in the hole for a southbound manifest with a trio of BN power to pass by on the main before continuing north to Duluth. Engineer Steve Sandberg stands a... (more)

The blue hour on National Train Day with the 4-8-4 Milwaukee Road 261 in Duluth , MN.

After a short stop in Hinckley, 261 takes the curve at Brook Park headed back to the Cities. The foamer convoy followed.

After stopping briefly in Hinckley for service the MILW 261 was once again on its way south. Here it comes around the sweeping curve just outside of Brook Park.

Sitting in Cedar Rapids is like taking a trip back in time, especially with a steam engine out the back window. The 261 has just lead another successful excursion and was spotted at the rear of t... (more)