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Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Soo Line #2719
The Soo Line #2719 from Duluth will be a featured steam locomotive in Duluth for National Train Day, Saturday, May 11. Events will be offered throughout the weekend at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.2 of 2
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Milwaukee Road #261
The Milwaukee Road #261, from the Twin Cities, will make the excursion to Duluth after sitting idle for four years during a major boiler rebuild.Train lovers: Expect to be blown away by steam, says Ken Buehler, executive director of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth.
“For the railroad enthusiasts, this is the tall ships,” Ken says of an event tomorrow that will bring two working steam engines to The Depot.
Just like boatnerds thrill to see the historic tall ships, railroad buffs will be fired up to see two historic engines under their own steam.
The Milwaukee Road #261 steam locomotive from the Twin Cities will make its first excursion in more than four years, after a major boiler rebuild. It’s expected to carry up to 800 passengers, arriving in Duluth at 3 p.m. May 11. The engine will be met by Soo Line #2719, the steam engine in residence at Duluth’s railroad museum. The two will be together May 11, National Train Day, and May 12, Mother’s Day, before Milwaukee Road #261 returns south.
The evening of May 11, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the Friends of the 261 will host a luxury-class dinner train pulled by the #2719, with food prepared by the Duluth Grill. Passengers can choose seats on a variety of cars: Rainier Club, Lake of the Isles, Great Dome or Cedar Rapids.
Several events will be offered at Lake Superior Railroad Museum during the two days, including kids’ activities, a Lester River excursion and a Sunday afternoon ride up the North Shore.
For times, details and ticket costs, check the North Shore Scenic Railroad and Friends of the 261 websites.
North Shore Scenic Railroad, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, 218-722-1273, www.northshorescenicrailroad.org
Friends of the 261, 4322 Lakepoint Ct., Shoreview, Minnesota, 261.com