The Return of Milwaukee Road 261

After two years of being confined to her shop thanks to the pandemic, the "Energizer Bunny of Steam Locomotives" finally got a chance to come out and play with the October 2021 reprise of the renowned "Gourmet Express"! Of course, a weekend trip to Minneapolis was in order, nor could I resist the opportunity to finally ride behind "the engine that started it all" for me as a kid. We'll start out on Friday as the "S-3" switches about her Minneapolis Junction home, greeting the eastbound Empire Builder before taking her tool car, three coaches, and E9 32A out the Twin Cities and Western to Hopkins, where the rest of her excursion consist awaits. Once fully assembled, Saturday's dreary weather does little to dampen the 4-8-4's spirits as she struts along her home rails to Glencoe. There 32A takes over for the return trip, but only as far as Bongards, as an impromptu decision is made to head back west one more time, in spite of Mother Nature releasing her full fury. Finally, on Sunday, climb aboard as we ride dutch-door behind America's Largest Operating Coal-Burning Steam Locomotive, romping across the farmlands and small towns which 261 and her sisters regularly called upon in revenue service. This time, we make it through Glencoe before turning back to Bongards, where the ALCO-product is serviced before performing a pair of photo runbys, then finally relaxing for the final few miles back to Chanhassen, then towards Minneapolis Junction, and home. Enjoy Everybody! There is plenty more to come! Chapters Intro: 00:00 - 00:55 Minneapolis Junction: 00:55 - 08:51 Ferry Move: 08:51 - 12:06 Rainy Saturday: 12:06 - 31:25 Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down: 31:25 - 34:05 All Aboard!!!: 34:05 - 57:53 Back To Bongards: 57:53 - 01:00:02 Lunch and Servicing: 01:00:02 - 01:03:49 Photo Runbys: 01:03:49 - 01:12:27 Last Leg Home: 01:12:27 - 01:15:38 See You Soon Old Friend: 01:15:38 - 01:16:38 #261 #gourmetexpress #steamlocomotive