Milwaukee Road 261 To Lead “America250” Excursions With July 2026 Trips Announced

Published: March 23, 2026

Newly released details confirm that Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 will headline a series of “America250” excursions July 17–19, 2026, marking one of the most significant steam-powered celebrations yet announced for the nation’s Semiquincentennial. What is being dubbed as the USA 250 Hiawatha excursions these trips will operate several times over the Twin Cities & Western between Chanhassen, Montevideo, Granite Falls, and Appleton, Minnesota along what was formerly the Milwaukee Road main line.

The current schedule is as follows:

Chanhassen to Montevideo (July 17-19)
Montevideo to Granite Falls (July 18: 9:30 am, 12 pm)
Montevideo to Appleton (July 18: 2 pm)

Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 leads a special excursion, in conjunction with Amtrak, near Cambridge, Minnesota on May 12, 2013. This 300-mile round trip operated over BNSF’s ex-Great Northern main line between Minneapolis and Duluth. Drew Jacksich photo.

Equipment & Onboard Experience

The “USA 250th Hiawatha” will feature the Friends of the 261’s signature consist of restored Milwaukee Road passenger equipment, offering a range of travel classes:

Coach Class – standard reserved seating
First Class – lounge-style seating with enhanced amenities
Dome Class – full-length Super Dome with panoramic views
Premium / Private Cars – including business and observation cars

Notable cars expected in the consist include:

Super Dome No. 53 (full-length dome)
“Cedar Rapids” Skytop observation car
Classic Milwaukee Road-painted coaches and lounges

These cars have been rebuilt to modern Amtrak standards while retaining their historic interiors, providing a blend of mid-century luxury and contemporary comfort.

A Modern-Day Hiawatha

The naming of the excursion as the “USA 250th Hiawatha” is especially fitting. The original Hiawatha trains were among the Milwaukee Road’s most famous passenger services—high-speed, streamlined trains that defined rail travel in the Midwest during the 1930s–1950s. By recreating that experience in 2026, the Friends of the 261 are effectively reviving the spirit of those trains for a new generation—this time as part of a nationwide celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary. To learn more about the USA 250th Hiawatha and ticketing information please click here to visit the Friends Of The 261's website.

A Legendary Survivor: History Of No. 261

Milwaukee Road No. 261 is one of the most prominent surviving examples of the 4-8-4 “Northern” type, built during the final era of American steam power. Constructed in July 1944 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) at Schenectady, New York, the locomotive was part of the Milwaukee Road’s S3 class—designed for fast freight and passenger service.

Weighing more than 460,000 pounds and producing roughly 4,500 horsepower, No. 261 was capable of speeds up to 100 mph, making it well-suited for the railroad’s premier trains. Like many late-era steam locomotives, however, its career was brief. The engine was retired in August 1956 after barely a dozen years of service as dieselization swept the industry.

Rather than being scrapped, the locomotive was preserved and donated in 1958 to the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin—becoming one of the institution’s earliest acquisitions.

Restoration and Excursion Career

No. 261’s second life began in the early 1990s when a group of volunteers, later known as the Friends of the 261, secured a lease to restore the locomotive for mainline excursion service. After a comprehensive rebuild in Minneapolis, the engine returned to operation in September 1993.

Since then, the locomotive has become a mainstay of the modern steam excursion scene, traveling thousands of miles across the Midwest and beyond. It has powered high-profile trips to destinations such as Chicago, Duluth, and even Scranton, Pennsylvania, where it participated in events at Steamtown National Historic Site.

The locomotive has also handled special assignments, including corporate specials, convention trains, and public excursions featuring historic passenger cars. Its reliability and modern design features—such as roller bearings—have helped make it one of the most active large steam locomotives in North America.

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