Northern Lines
ArchiveInformation about the Milwaukee Road Northern Steam Locomotive #261, Milwaukee Road #32A, and Passenger Fleet from the Friends of the 261
2012 Winter Northern Lines
MILWAUKEE 261 STEAMS AGAIN! After a four-year rebuild effort by the Friends of the 261, Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 steamed again on Sept. 29, 2012. The locomotive last operated on Sept. 14, 2008, when it pulled a round trip excursion from Minneapolis to La Crosse,...
2012 Spring Northern Lines
MILWAUKEE ROAD 261 GETS ITS WHEELS BACK, BOILER WORK PROCEEDING On Dec. 9, 2011, the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road 261 reached a milestone when the locomotive was placed back atop its four sets of driving wheels. No. 261 had been separated from its wheels since...
2011 Spring Northern Lines
PASSENGER CAR MODIFICATIONS, UPGRADES MOVE AHEAD This winter, the Friends of the 261 have been busy making modifications and upgrades to our passenger cars. Crews have been working on Skytop lounge observation Cedar Rapids , parlor car Wisconsin Valley and...
1998 October Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. 5,200 Miles! 261 travels ten states on BNSF, TC&W, WC A tired but happy steam crew pulled into Minneapolis on September 13, 1998 as Milwaukee Road...
1996 March Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. Snow Train: truly spectacular! 261 heads up winter excursions at Steamtown Its been along time since railroad fans and the general public have been...
1995 December Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. 261 COMPLETES A GREAT SEASON AT STEAMTOWN! 261 is currently enjoying a well deserved rest after flawlessly traveling well over 3,000 miles on behalf...
1994 December Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. Pullin' that New River Train! 261 heads up excursions through West Virginia Milwaukee Road.4-84 261 made its longest trips to date when it traveled to...
1994 August Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. 1994 operating season off to impressive start Frank Sandberg, Sr. kicks off 1994 261 operations North Star Rail's first full season of operating...
1994 March Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. First 1994 steam trips announced Plans shaping up for busy season North Star Rail, operators of Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261, has tentatively announced...
1993 August Northern Lines
Information about the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road "Northern" steam locomotive #261 from the"Friends of the 261" Inc. 261 under steam for the first time since 1954. FIRE UP!261 under steam again The long awaited return of a Milwaukee Road steam locomotive to service...