Milwaukee 261 Along the Mississippi

Several days ago (around 15-Sep-2005), the announcement was made that Milwaukee 261 would be travelling to Kansas City, MO, for an appearance at the grand opening of the KC Rail Experience. Much like my last encounter with 261, it would just happen that I would be in Iowa anyway. So, I decided I might as well enjoy a beautiful day outside and go chase 261 from Clinton, IA, down to its destination for the day, Muscatine. Really, it was a rather uneventful, relaxing chase – very unlike the usual mainline steam experience, but a great way to spend a day off. So, without further delay, on to the pictures…

First sighting of the day... I heard something go in the hole at Camanche, so I figured 261 must have arrived. Here we see 261 accelerating southwards from the siding. — First sighting of the day… I heard something go in the hole at Camanche, so I figured 261 must have arrived. Here we see 261 accelerating southwards from the siding.

Highballing along the Mississippi just south of Princeton, IA

Just when we were rolling along at track speed, the warrant ran out at MP 175. Unfortunately, the work train ahead wasn't done dumping ballast, and so we sat here for nearly an hour. — Just when we were rolling along at track speed, the warrant ran out at MP 175. Unfortunately, the work train ahead wasn’t done dumping ballast, and so we sat here for nearly an hour.

Another side shot of 261 while stopped at MP 175.

261 sitting, along with part of Tuesday's compliment of railfans — 261 sitting, along with part of Tuesday’s compliment of railfans

The guys in the tool car, trying to get a little break of cool air through the doors

Back on the move just north of Le Claire

The famous "Cedar Rapids" brings up the rear past the Le Claire station warning sign — The famous “Cedar Rapids” brings up the rear past the Le Claire station warning sign

With the traffic and low speed limits of town, I didn't get far enough ahead again until the riverfront park just beyond the I-74 bridge in Bettendorf, IA — With the traffic and low speed limits of town, I didn’t get far enough ahead again until the riverfront park just beyond the I-74 bridge in Bettendorf, IA

NSR 1938, the tool car, also known as the "Earling" — NSR 1938, the tool car, also known as the “Earling”

NSR 1615 is the second car in the train, and painted as Milwaukee Road's "Grand Canyon" — NSR 1615 is the second car in the train, and painted as Milwaukee Road’s “Grand Canyon”

The third car is NSR 3103, painted as Milwaukee Road's "Wisconsin Valley" — The third car is NSR 3103, painted as Milwaukee Road’s “Wisconsin Valley”

Fourth car is NSR 31, Milwaukee Road's "Minnesota River" — Fourth car is NSR 31, Milwaukee Road’s “Minnesota River”

The fifth and final car is also the most famous - it's NSR 800040, otherwise known as the Milwaukee's Skytop Lounge "Cedar Rapids". — The fifth and final car is also the most famous – it’s NSR 800040, otherwise known as the Milwaukee’s Skytop Lounge “Cedar Rapids”.

What would any run down the river be if I didn't shoot it coming under the Government Bridge? — What would any run down the river be if I didn’t shoot it coming under the Government Bridge?

A look at 261's builder and trust plates (probably replicas to prevent pilfering) — A look at 261’s builder and trust plates (probably replicas to prevent pilfering)

Cedar Rapids brings up the rear against the Davenport skyline.

The day started relatively peacefully, with few fans chasing the train. By the time it passed through Nahant, there was a full-blown (but usually well-behaved) gaggle following the thing.

261 is about to cross over to avoid another IC&E train, as well as pass under I-280.

The view from the riverbank at Buffalo, IA

Back at full speed just past Montpelier Junction (where the Ipsco spur breaks off)

Nearing the end, 261 runs through the old Muscatine downtown amongst groups of onlookers

That's it for the day - 261 stops at the Muscatine IC&E office. From here, the crew is still figuring out where to move to in order to take coal and water, but the run for the day is finished. — That’s it for the day – 261 stops at the Muscatine IC&E office. From here, the crew is still figuring out where to move to in order to take coal and water, but the run for the day is finished.

All photographs in this trip report were taken with a Canon EOS 10D using either a Canon 28-105mm USM or a Canon 75-300mm f4-5.3 IS/USM.

This work is copyright 2024 by Nathan D. Holmes, but all text and images are licensed and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Basically you’re welcome to use any of this as long as it’s not for commercial purposes, you credit me as the source, and you share any derivative works under the same license. I’d encourage others to consider similar licenses for their works.