Two well-known 4-8-4 locomotives will lead excursions in June and July in Virginia and Minnesota, giving railfans a rare chance to ride behind and see these mainline locomotives in action.

 In June and early July, Norfolk & Western J Class 611 will return to the Buckingham Branch Railroad and its excursion arm, the Virginia Scenic Railroad. The locomotive will lead excursions for two weeks out of Staunton from June 12 to the 21. Then it will move from Staunton to Louisa for another two weeks of trips, from June 26 to July 5. Exact prices and schedules are expected to be shared in the coming weeks. All trips are expected to last 90 minutes. Visit the Virginia Scenic’s website for more information. 

Two weeks later, Milwaukee Road S3 class 261 will lead a series of excursions on the Twin Cities & Western on the weekend of July 17 to 19. Friday’s excursion will run out of Chanhassen, Minn., and last about six and a half hours. Sunday’s trip will also be six and a half hours and run out of Montevideo. On Saturday, three trips will be made out of Montevideo, with departures at 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. More information can be found online. 

The summer of 2026 is turning into a big one for main line steam. Earlier this month, Reading & Northern announced that Reading Company 2102 and Union Pacific 4014 would be running in Pennsylvania at the same time.

—Railfan & Railroad Staff