Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261
Minneapolis, MN, United States 		Location: BN Harrison Street
Status: Operational
Posted: Mar 17, 2021 @ 09:03:20 by Russell Newman
The former Milwaukee Road Alco built S-3 Class 4-8-4 No. 261 could be converted to be oil fired as its owners the Friends of the 261 organization are studying a possible conversion of the locomotive to burn oil.
Posted: May 13, 2015 @ 21:05:19 by 09trainman
Can up put 6/1944 in "Built Date"? Because she was built in June of 1944.
Posted: Feb 8, 2015 @ 14:02:30 by Joe Burke
T he locomotive was built by Alco and is a 4-8-4 locomotive
Posted: Dec 3, 2013 @ 14:12:58 by Keon McGarvey
261 has been fully restored and has now successfully completed 3 round-trip excursions in 2013.
Posted: Dec 5, 2012 @ 19:12:40 by photoman475
The restoration is reportedly close to being finished. The boiler has been reunited with the drivers, which were turned eariler this year.
Posted: May 8, 2010 @ 21:05:33 by NICK
Status should be "restoration". 261 has been purchased from the National Railroad Museum and should be running in 2011.
Posted: Nov 25, 2009 @ 11:11:47 by Random Person
Status should be "out of service"
Posted: Oct 29, 2008 @ 10:10:46 by Daniel L.
Status should be changed to "Overhaul", as the 261 is under her 1472 service day rebuild.
Posted: Oct 27, 2006 @ 14:10:35 by Brady
This classic coal burning engine was built in 1944 for the Milwaukee Road, and retired in 1954. 261, was placed in the National Railway Museum in Green Bay, WI. in the late 1950's, and was restored to operating condition in 1993 by North Star Rail. The locomotive has traveled all over the country since its restoration, and in September 2006, it tripleheaded with two Chinese 2-10-2's. I think the original whistle sounds wondurful, and it is one of my favorites.
Posted: Jul 17, 2006 @ 21:07:38 by George S.
The "Alco-Schenectady Construction Number List" indicates that Construction Numbers 71973 through 71982, Road Numbers 260 through 269, were shipped to the " Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific" during July of 1944. All of the units were 4-8-4's.
Posted: Mar 1, 2006 @ 05:03:01 by Doug Bailey
That's the factory original Alco 4-chime whistle, and it indeed does sound awful. Not sure what "guest whistle" the locomotive is now using but that one you disliked is not used, though it is still on the locomotive and functional.
Posted: Dec 22, 2005 @ 22:12:09 by Sam
The whistle sounds very creepy in the video.
Posted: Feb 21, 2005 @ 23:02:44 by Jim Reisdorff
The history of Milwaukee Road 261 has been published in a book written by Steve Glischindki of Shoreview, Minn. More information on this title, MILWAUKEE ROAD 261: A Steam Locomotive for the 21st Century, can be found at: www.southplattepress.com