Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific S3 Class 4-8-4 261 will lead back-to-back excursions over the Twin Cities & Western in October. Tickets for the trips out of Chanhassen, Minn., went on sale last week. 

The Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 will lead a matched train one way, while the Friends of the 261’s E9 32A will lead the return trip. Tickets are available for coach and first class, as well as dome and premium classes aboard some of the Friends’ luxury passenger cars. 

Locomotive 261 was built by the American Locomotive Company in 1944 and served in freight and passenger service on the MILW until 1956. It was donated to the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wis., where it was on display until the 1990s. In 1991, it was acquired by North Star Rail and restored to service two years later. It has been based in the Twin Cities ever since, primarily operating in the Upper Midwest. 

For more information, visit 261.com.

—Railfan & Railroad Staff