A small crowd patiently waits for the show. In less then a half hour, the 261 will turn her first wheel under her own power in 4 years.

Milwaukee Road #261 and train crosses over the Mississippi River and join up with the BNSF for the final run into the Twin Cities.

Josh D grabs a shot of the 261 while Steve Sandberg loads the tender with coal.

The 261 lives again. Under steam again for the first time since 2008 after undergoing its federal mandated overhaul on this 1944 Alco 4-8-4.

Steve Sandberg and company have Milwaukee Road 261 under steam at Minneapolis Junction for the first time after its extensive rebuilding.

The 261 lives again. Under steam again for the first time since 2008 after undergoing its federal mandated overhaul on this 1944 Alco 4-8-4.

A special run of the 261 runs through Wheeling.

A farmer in Minnesota takes a break to watch the Hiawatha charge past. Part of a Lerro Productions photo charter. Look for MILW #261 to return to service later this year, with excursions to foll... (more)

Milw 261 leads a BNSF employee special westbound near Glendive. The big 4-8-4 put on quite a show on this clear summer morning.

Milwaukee Road 261's 227,000-pound boiler is lifted back onto its driving wheels by Vic's Crane & Heavy Haul of Rosemount, MN. The temperature was a frigid 13 degrees.

Today MILW 261 got it's drivers back. The 261 was lifted, drivers rolled under, drivers positioned, pilot truck positioned, and then lowered. The fork lift behind the cab was used to push the 261 ... (more)

The good 'ole days of steam, featuring Milwaukee Road #261!

I have it on good authority that this engine, now undergoing restoration, may be under steam (again) by year's end. Keep y... (more)

The 261 simmers in Chicago overnight. The filming of a movie brought her into town at the time. 1.6 seconds exposure.

The sun glints past the headlight of 261 as it prepares for a double-header with the 2816 the next morning. As with many of the Fall trips, an early frost came that evening, almost freezing the ho... (more)

Don Crimmin and an unidentified Amtrak conductor tromp to the pocket track's manual switch. Once thrown, the headlight will illuminate on the (then) 64-year-old beast and it will begin its journey... (more)