Milwaukee 261 - Davenport to Lisbon, N.D - Boarding

On July 19, 1987, the Red River Valley & Western began operations on track it acquired from Burlington Northern Railroad. Since that time the railroad has added more customers, upgraded its track, and been recognized as one of the most successful regional railroads in the United States.
To mark its 30th Anniversary, Red River Valley & Western and the Friends of the 261 are teaming up to offer a series of special anniversary excursion trains pulled by Milwaukee Road steam locomotive No. 261. This will be a rare opportunity to ride several rail lines that have seen only freight service for decades. The trips will offer Coach, First Class, Dome Class and Premium Class seating, including dome car seating in the Friends of the 261’s Super Dome 53 and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s Silver Club, making its first trips.
Thursday June 1 and Friday, June 2, 2017
Each day No. 261 will pull a three-hour, 74-mile round trip evening excursion from Fargo/Davenport to Lisbon, N.D. Trains will depart Davenport at 6 p.m. for the journey over the former Northern Pacific Railway’s Fargo & Southwestern Branch, now Red River Valley & Western’s Fourth Subdivision. Just outside Lisbon the railroad enters North Dakota’s first nationally recognized scenic byway, the scenic Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. The tree-lined, rolling hills of this valley are speckled with quaint towns and farmsteads, lending to its American charm. In addition to nature and scenery, archaeology, history, culture, and recreation are all found along this byway. The Davenport to Lisbon route has not seen passenger service since 1960-61.
Round trip mileage from Fargo/Davenport to Lisbon is 74 miles.