Historic locomotive to steam into Duluth
Published 10:36 am Tuesday, May 7, 2013
DULUTH, Minn. — A historic locomotive will steam into Duluth this weekend, pulling a trainload of more than 500 railroad enthusiasts from the Twin Cities.
Built in 1944, the Milwaukee Road 261 locomotive will pay a two-day visit to Duluth, its first since a four-year overhaul. The locomotive is operated by the Minneapolis-based Friends of the 261.
The Duluth News Tribune reports that planning for the excursion began some time back. Visit Duluth helped advertise the trip, which sold out.
Friends chief operating officer and engineer Steve Sandberg says passengers are coming from as far away as England, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and South Africa.
One reason the group selected Duluth is that it’s home to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, which will be hosting several events Saturday for National Train Day.