This summer the "Friends of the 261" in cooperation with Amtrak and Canadian Pacific, will operate steam excursion trains featuring Milwaukee Road steam locomotive 261. The trips will orginate at the recently remodelled Amtrak Station in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

On Wednesday, June 18, Milwaukee Road 261 will pull a one-way trip from Minneapolis to Milwaukee. The train will make the regular Amtrak stops at Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Portage and Columbus and passengers may board or detrain at those points. The train will make another one-way run from Milwaukee to Minneapolis on Monday, June 23, making the same stops.

On Friday, June 20, No. 261 will make a dinner train run from Milwaukee to Sturtevant, WI where it will be turned and return to Milwaukee. First and Premium Class riders will enjoy a full dinner. Coach passengers are welcome as well, although no dinner will be served in coach.

On Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 locomotive 261 will pull a round trip from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells each day. After arrival at the Dells, a local trip will operate to New Lisbon to turn the train. In total, 261 will make a 270-mile round trip each day.

Premium Class will include Milwaukee Road Skytop Observation "Cedar Rapids" and Super Dome 53 and includes hors d'oeuvres and gourmet meals prepared on board by our executive chef. First class and coach seating is also available; first class includes an upscale meal plan with hors d'oeuvres. Both First and Premium Class include complimentary beer and wine. Order your tickets now since these trips are sure to be sellouts!

The Minneapolis-Milwaukee excursions will depart from and arrive at 401 Harrison Street Northeast located at Harrison Street and Hennepin Avenue in northeast Minneapolis (a map will be included with your ticket order). Milwaukee trips will originate at the Amtrak depot in downtown Milwaukee. Departure from Minneapolis on June 18 is at 8:30 a.m. The train will stop in Winona at 11 a.m. with arrival at Milwaukee at 6 p.m. On June 20th, departure for Sturtevant is at 6 p.m. with arrival back in Milwaukee at 9 p.m. Departure from Milwaukee for the Dells on June 21 and June 22 is at 9 a.m. with arrival at Wisconsin Dells at noon. Departure for New Lisbon is at 12:30 p.m. returning to the Dells at 2:25 p.m. Departure from the Dells for Milwaukee is at 3 p.m. with arrival in Milwaukee scheduled for 6 p.m. Departure from Milwaukee on June 24 is at 8:30 a.m. with arrival in Minneapolis at 6 p.m.