Milwaukee Road 261-Steam in the North

[@isaaccope8580]

Can’t wait to watch this video on Milwaukee Road Steam Locomotive #261

[@tylerbell5113]

The Milwaukee Road 261 is one of my favorite steam locomotives and it seriously is what got me into loving trains. I used to have two old VHS tapes Midwest Classic Steam and Minnesota Steam Spectacular both made by C. Vision Productions and they both had the 261 in it. Also after so many years I finally got to see the locomotive in person with the North Pole Express and for one reason seeing it up close for the first time made me feel like my life changed in some way but I don’t know why. Awesome video!!!!👍👍

[@RailwayProductions]

Glad you enjoyed my work. Yes, 261 is a beauty.

[@MinnesotaEric]

One of my old friends, nicknamed Railroad Mike, helped rebuild the 261's boiler and worked on the restoration of it years ago. Mike also worked as the 261's fireman. With Railroad Mike I've repeatedly had the chance to crawl all over the 261 and its first cars. RR Mike and I met at Bob's Java Hut back when it was a motorcycle hang-out and Mike was the first guy who got me thinking of locomotives as maximum performance machines. I appreciate that running up the grade in the opening scene of this documentary, the fireman has the engine running lean as it should (according to Mike) unless accelerating as RR Mike told me these things didn't run as sooty as is often thought or depicted in movies, and short excursions on movie sets. RR Mike also showed me all the derailment junk they carry with them to put the 261 back onto the rails (apparently the old steam locomotive drive wheels are cut at a slightly different angel for grater traction than modern GE diesel electric locomotives so it is easier to derail a steam locomotive around corners and the mainlines hate to let steam engines run because they wear the rails out faster on corners). Anyway, since you're a rail fan, I thought I'd let you know some stuff I learned from my friend about the 261 over 20 years ago.

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@RailwayProductions is the 261 the largest coal burning steam locomotive operating in the US today?

[@jacobdolman3831]

I see the Milwaukee Road #261 steam Locomotive

[@Lil_Pennsy]

When the map came up I smiled cause it reminded me of the challenger 3985 mine😂. The narrator is a legend

[@andrewdiesel4014]

Hiawatha the Milwaukee Road #261! 😊

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

Our-4-8-4 Northern.

[@andrewdiesel4014]

@@maxwellwalcher6420 that’s our 4-8-4 Northern, She was Built in 1944 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

@@andrewdiesel4014 Are you ready for Hiawatha.

[@andrewdiesel4014]

@@maxwellwalcher6420 oh yes I’m ready for Hiawatha Tonight 😊

[@DMIRyellowstoneFan]

261 is called Cameron in my universe

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

I greatly appreciate the efforts that they put in, but has the group that maintains The 261 become any friendlier in the last few decades? Must have been about 15 years ago I learned of one of the 261 excursions but I could not afford to buy a ticket to ride it. At that point I had never seen 261 in person. I contacted the group and told the lady I could not afford to ride the train but I’d love to see it as it loads up for the excursion. The lady replied with no we are not telling you that as that’s only for the people riding it. I later joined the 261 groups forum and I was baffled by a member’s post complaining about people like me contacting them asking time and place to see it. The lady who started the post emphasized with “buy a ticket”! I don’t remember if I replied or not but I didn’t stay visit the forum too many more times. BTW I’ve had a lot of health problems but I’m not far away in Stillwater. I repeat that I’m just stunned by the attitudes I ran into by some of the members of that group. I did finally see the 261 on display at Train Day in downtown Saint Paul 2021 or 2022. If I had the spare time AND energy I’d help the group.

[@jessicaburdell7779]

Sorry to hear you had that sort of experience. Sounds like the organization isn't very railfan friendly, despite them basically being setup and catered to such events of the likeness. I'm sure if you ever got the chance to visit the shortline road I personally work down here in Jersey it would've been a different story. We do a few seasonal steam excursions with a Chinese built Mikado that quite a lot, from near and far, come to see as well.

[@maxm2317]

Always liked this engine. First saw her in action in 1995 and 1996 (when I was 4 and 5 years old, respectively) during her stint at Steamtown. Really hope she comes east again someday.

[@atsfevan0242]

What a coincidence on the date this is being uploaded as I happen to be in 261’s home state of Minnesota this week. Which is also the same state my dad grew up in. Other than that I still find this dvd great as it’s made my love for 261 go up since I first saw it.

[@DMIRyellowstoneFan]

261 is a super cool engine! It even has a surviving sister engine, 265! Wich is on display at the Illinois railway museum in Union Illionis.

[@wesleyhymbaugh1450]

This Is Great Watching The Milwaukee Road's S-3 4-8-4 #261 Departing Breaken Ridge Colorado To The Steam In The North Festival Featuring Duluth Massibe & Iron Range #332 😊😊😊

[@norskviking9410]

Iv watched manny of these train excursion videos, and this is the best one yet ! Having three seperate "runs,' ON THE SAME VIDEO, The naration and the 'ABOVE' views were great! a proffesional travel log! ol 261 came chugging through my small town of Edgerton Wis, years ago, and I was lucky enough to see it in person.! More fun than the local spit chewing tobbaco contest, or sitting on the bench watching the paint fade on the barns!

[@stephenspilker9334]

i've ridden behind the 261 a few times over the years. i must say it was quite an experience. it brings back memories of the hey day of passenger service in this country.

[@norskviking9410]

I have to add this! i was born and raised in Milwaukee in the 1950s. My dad was a photographer, and hed take me along with him when i was about 8 to 10 years old, and wed go down to the Milwaukee road depo and he photo shoot the passenger trains.14 and 15 car Hiawathas coming and going on the mane line to and from way out west to Chicago, with these very same passenger cars.Soon they were pulled by fancy Diseals some times three or four units!

[@BNSFfan1848]

Awesome video!

[@jacobdolman3831]

Thank you very much

[@jacksalvin364]

Milwaukee Road S-3 4-8-4 #261 was doing really well on The Red River Valley and Western Railroad.

[@kjfenterprises9618]

Nice of you guys to include 261’s original 3 chime at 8:27!

[@ronwong6102]

Excellent!

[@RailwayProductions]

Many thanks!

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

Awesome video 🚂👍🚃

[@anthonyhunt701]

Just joined for the clarity & depth here! Thank you!🚂

[@AhmearClayIombo-dj6di]

Nice Video

[@TheIsonOnTheCake]

Great video Les! Thanks for the awesome content!

[@RailwayProductions]

My pleasure!

[@josephkarl2061]

26:50 Are those carriages leaking water? It looks like it 😀

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

Hiawatha. Milwaukee 261 her self.

[@pt68picaso]

A sub-picture (picture in a picture) of a map of towns & train's course of travel would be nice. Otherwise, I gather they're East - West & N - S runs in NW central MN.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

This is a great film to watch. But I'm afraid I can't attend this live stream, because my mom and dad are planning something for tonight. Sorry to tell you that.

[@andrewdiesel4014]

No worries Andrew C., Les Jarrett saved a Video for you to rewatch

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@andrewdiesel4014 Thank you, Andrew D. What would I do without you and Mr. Jarrett?

[@csxisaiahjonesproductions2290]

I Got A Locomotive At The Train Show This Year 😁

[@Ian-qs3fz]

19:58 Leonard and Sheldon XD

[@rogerlollar4325]

She pulled the New River Train between Huntington and Hinton,WV in 1994

[@TRM_889]

Great footage! I love the 261, I wanna get a model of it at some point. I have a question, what’s the music you use in your videos? I’m just curious.

[@lightsttn1a267]

Why aren't these Magnificent Steam Engines being redesigned so to catch and reuse the smoke from running to make the Engines so they won't send smoke into the Air, and why not attempt to improve them, so we needn't have them to disappear, and find new ways to power them more efficiently than at present. Even the lubrication systems can be improved using today's improved technologies. Then we could still keep Steam Engines running. REMEMBER: BACK THE FUTURE HAD A STEAM ENGINE. WHO KNOWS MAYBE THINGS LIKE THE FLUX-GATE CAPACITOR COULD EVEN BECOME A REALITY. GOOD LUCK!

[@lightsttn1a267]

I got my text cut because I closed too soon. As noted, why with today's technologies can't we improve the Steam Engine to be more environmentally friendly. Why not? Then we can keep them around for many more years. REMEMBER: Presently we have Gasoline, and Desal powered Cars. Why not efficient, and environmentally friendly Steam Engines? Why Not????? Thanks Again. 🎉🎉🎉

[@1chuck96]

God, She's beautiful, but then again ANYTHING built by ALCO is of the same. (I'm a huge GTW U3b guy), but since 6325 is being held unweildingly captive by the AOSR in Sugarcreek,OH, this calms my nerves.

[@RailwayProductions]

Thanks for the compliment! I miss 6325 too…

[@lightsttn1a267]

Not that great! No narrations. All I saw here was a Train in motion, and no one said nothing. Maybe you can keep the background sounds, and overlay a narration giving information about the run, and even landmarks, and other possible that could raise from bla to more of a yippy. Using the before mentioned suggestions.

[@lightsttn1a267]

The video wasn't bad as far as the pictures were. I have to say for me. How I watch a video can make it better, or not so good for me. I have stopped the video several times. Your scenery was great. For me it was a bit long, as I noted by stopping it. In short bursts it was better for me. I have somewhat a short attention span that a bit of narration could have made better. As noted the scenery was beautiful. I do still thank you for your work. Please note I did however still enjoy the scenery. Thanks Again.