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12/23/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tony Held
Dates:1/1/2003 - 7/3/2024
Album Info:A celebration of steam and vintage diesel across the US of A.
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Diesel And A Pair Of Support Cars
Title:  Diesel And A Pair Of Support Cars
Description:  Taken at Union Depot.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 10:12:34 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  266   Comments: 0
"City Of Denver"
Title:  "City Of Denver"
Description:  Roster shot; taken at Union Depot.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 9:53:48 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  192   Comments: 0
"Green River"
Title:  "Green River"
Description:  Roster shot; taken at Union Depot.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 10:26:11 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  103   Comments: 0
"Kenefick"
Title:  "Kenefick"
Description:  Roster shot; taken at Union Depot.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 9:53:04 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  176   Comments: 0
"Promontory"
Title:  "Promontory"
Description:  Roster shot; taken at Union Depot. An apt name for a car displaying Union Pacific's heritage, no?
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 9:57:44 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  183   Comments: 0
Backup Begins
Title:  Backup Begins
Description:  The UP special begins to back into Union Depot after returning from the North Shore.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 9:08:06 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  141   Comments: 0
Classy Varnish
Title:  Classy Varnish
Description:  The 4014 sure had some classy varnish along for her "race across the Midwest." Here the special is almost done descending the Division Street hill prior to reversing into Union Depot.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 9:07:34 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  168   Comments: 0
"Walter Dean"
Title:  "Walter Dean"
Description:  Roster shot; taken at Union Depot.
Photo Date:  7/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 10:12:04 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  218   Comments: 0
E-Unit And A 4-8-4
Title:  E-Unit And A 4-8-4
Description:  The eastbound "Gourmet Express" nears Shady Oak Road, minutes from its destination, St. Louis Park. I never dared dream I would get an E-unit and a 4-8-4 in the same shot, not to mention no less than three dome cars!
Photo Date:  9/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:06:22 PM
Location:  Minnetonka, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  335   Comments: 1
Varnish And Hoppers
Title:  Varnish And Hoppers
Description:  The trim varnish of the "Gourmet Express", which included no less than three dome cars, all visible here--the Super Dome, a California Zephyr one, and an ex-Northern Pacific (?) one--stand in sharp contrast to the weathered smoothside hoppers parked on the siding at left.
Photo Date:  9/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:07:20 PM
Location:  Minnetonka, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  58   Comments: 0
On The Curve At Shady Oak
Title:  On The Curve At Shady Oak
Description:  The eastbound "Gourmet Express" rounds the curve by Shady Oak Lake as the train returns from its jaunt out west on the Twin Cities & Western.
Photo Date:  9/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:04:36 PM
Location:  Minnetonka, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 32A(E9A) WSOR 101(E9A)
Views:  307   Comments: 0
Smokin' It Up
Title:  Smokin' It Up
Description:  Now along for the ride after pulling the train west, the 261 smokes it up as her crew awaits the train's arrival at St. Louis Park. Cool, damp weather helped make the 261's smoke gray-white this day.
Photo Date:  9/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:08:22 PM
Location:  Minnetonka, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  135   Comments: 0
Steam and Steel
Title:  Steam and Steel
Description:  Due to cool, damp weather, the 261 was a living picture of steam and steel as she rolled back to town on the eastbound run of the "Gourmet Express."
Photo Date:  9/22/2019  Upload Date: 9/22/2019 7:09:54 PM
Location:  Minnetonka, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  106   Comments: 1
Confab In The Cab
Title:  Confab In The Cab
Description:  The 261's crew confabs in the cab as preparations for a special trip for Loram employees take place. I love how the Milwaukee Road was one of those railways that proudly identified was class of engine their steamers were, which is an S-3 4-8-4 Northern in the 261's case.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:21:55 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  140   Comments: 0
Tending The 261
Title:  Tending The 261
Description:  The 261's crew tends to their iron horse prior to their special evening rum for Loram employees.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:23:06 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  169   Comments: 1
Red Side Of The Lamps
Title:  Red Side Of The Lamps
Description:  I never caught the red side of the lamps on the 261's front so well until I snapped this photo. Old friends can still surprise us.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:09:56 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  122   Comments: 0
There Is The Train!
Title:  There Is The Train!
Description:  Here comes the Frimnds of the 261's special for Loram, almost to its destination down by Brunswick. Cars at left are the coach section from trips run over the Twin Cities & Western the past weekend.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:51:01 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  388   Comments: 1
261 On A Tuesday
Title:  261 On A Tuesday
Description:  A Loram employee (in blue at left) takes a photo of the 261 late on a Tuesday afternoon prior to a special run sponsored by Loram. I never thought I would see the 261 operating on a Tuesday. Thank you, Railway Interchange conference, for being the catalyst for extra runs of the 261 after a weekend's worth of trips on the old Milwaukee Road west of the Twin Cities.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:10:29 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  138   Comments: 1
E-Unit!
Title:  E-Unit!
Description:  The vintage Milwaukee Road/Wisconsin & Southern E-unit the Friends of the 261 bought earlier this year leads the Loram special across Wooddale Avenue late on a warm Tuesday afternoon. Note the dudes checking out the train down by the crossing signal.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:52:35 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A)
Views:  474   Comments: 1
The "Silver Palace"
Title:  The "Silver Palace"
Description:  The "Silver Palace", one of the newest additions to the Friends of the 261's fleet, was out and about for not only a set of weekend trips but also two weekday evening ones. Here the car is awaiting passengers on a special run for Loram. I never thought I would see a "California Zephyr" alumni in St. Louis Park.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:54:35 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  256   Comments: 0
New Acquisition?
Title:  New Acquisition?
Description:  That sure is a classy dome car. Did the Friends of the 261 recently buy it? Car is crossing Wooddale Avenue.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:53:03 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  159   Comments: 0
Coach Sectio—
Title:  Coach Sectio—
Description:  Whe three coaches owned by the Frends of the 261 rest on the siding east of Wooddale due to not being needed for a pair of special runs related to a rail industry convention being held in Minneapolis.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 10:52:08 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  123   Comments: 0
I Hope Nobody Was Blasé About This
Title:  I Hope Nobody Was Blasé About This
Description:  There is my old friend the Milwaukee 261, crossing Wooddale Avenue in reverse as a special run for Loram workers reaches its boarding point down by Brunswick. I sure hope one of the motorists waiting for the train were blasé at the sight of the living, breathing 1944-vintage steam locomotive.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:24:30 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  169   Comments: 1
My Old Friend
Title:  My Old Friend
Description:  I have been following (and sometimes riding behind or visiting the cab of) the 261 since 1997, back when Union Pacific 4014's boiler was cold but dry out in Southern California. As cool as an operating Big Boy is, the 261, one of the few surviving, and sole operating, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific steam engines, is my old friend.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:09:31 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  250   Comments: 2
Here Comes The Miracle Of The Rails
Title:  Here Comes The Miracle Of The Rails
Description:  The 261 rolls along with the rest of the Loram special as the train arrives at the boarding site in St. Louis Park. May your luck always be good, 261! I could not believe the sight of an operating Milwaukee Road steam engine when I first glimpsed her in the documentary "Lost Twin Cities," but "Trains" and "Railfan & Railroad" soon confirmed the 261's existence. I have now dubbed her "the Miracle of the Rails" due to her long, successful career as an excursion engine.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:23:36 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  230   Comments: 1
Train And A Bridge
Title:  Train And A Bridge
Description:  The west end of the Loram special run by the 261 group faces the venerable bridge over the old Milwaukee Road/Minneapolis & St. Louis corridor. The cranes working on the removal of a bridge on the old Louie, long since a trail, testify to the massive changes in store with the coming of the co-location of freight rail with the Southwest LRT. In fact, the old Milwaukee at left will be replaced by the LRT at the spot, so this vista is a snapshot of not only what is to come but also what was.
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:09:13 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Bridge,Passenger
Locomotives:  WSOR 101(E9A) MILW 32A(E9A)
Views:  387   Comments: 0
Hallowed Initials
Title:  Hallowed Initials
Description:  The "Silver Palace" proudly sports the initials of the Western Pacific, one of the three partners in the original "California Zephyr" (the Burlington and the Rio Grande being the other two).
Photo Date:  9/24/2019  Upload Date: 9/24/2019 11:24:10 PM
Location:  Saint Louis Park, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  196   Comments: 0
New Angle
Title:  New Angle
Description:  I have photographed good old 8327 from many angles over the years since she took up residence at Bandana Square, but I have never photographed her from across Energy Park Drive before. This day was chilly but snow-free, making photography easy.
Photo Date:  12/12/2020  Upload Date: 12/12/2020 6:20:25 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GTW 8327(0-8-0)
Views:  341   Comments: 0
Steam Returns!
Title:  Steam Returns!
Description:  After an absence of a year, steam returned to St. Paul Union Depot as the Friends of the 261's North Pole Express made its return. Here the train is awaiting the first departure of the day, at 3 P.M., on a relatively mild Sunday afternoon.
Photo Date:  12/5/2021  Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:25:49 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Winter,Station,Steam,Signal,Passenger
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A)
Views:  109   Comments: 0
Passing Highway 52
Title:  Passing Highway 52
Description:  The North Pole Express passes under Highway 52 shortly after 3 P.M. on the first Sunday in December, 2021.
Photo Date:  12/5/2021  Upload Date: 12/5/2021 7:26:53 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Winter,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4) MILW 32A(E9A)
Views:  166   Comments: 0
Andy In The Engineer's Seat
Title:  Andy In The Engineer's Seat
Description:  My buddy Andy poses in the engineer's seat aboard GN 2523 thanks to the engine being open the day we visited.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:22:35 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  117   Comments: 0
Narly Driving Wheels And Pistons
Title:  Narly Driving Wheels And Pistons
Description:  GN 2523's driving wheels sure look narly in white and black. Ditto the white pistons. Great Northern sure painted their steam engines with flair!
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:19:04 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives: 
Views:  35   Comments: 0
Imposing Front
Title:  Imposing Front
Description:  The front of GN 2526 sure is imposing.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:17:55 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  111   Comments: 0
Engine Number And Markings
Title:  Engine Number And Markings
Description:  Detail shot of the engine number and other markings below the right side of GN 2523's cab.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:20:01 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  101   Comments: 0
Christmas In June
Title:  Christmas In June
Description:  Great Northern 2523 still sports her Christmas lights on a warm and sunny June afternoon.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:18:33 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  129   Comments: 0
Classic Logo
Title:  Classic Logo
Description:  The Great Northern logo on the right side of GN 2523's tender.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:20:18 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  95   Comments: 0
How She Got Here
Title:  How She Got Here
Description:  This interpretive sign on the right side of GN 2523's tenders relates how she got from the Willmar roundhouse to her current display site.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:21:35 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  130   Comments: 0
Tony In The Engineer's Seat
Title:  Tony In The Engineer's Seat
Description:  GN 2523's cab was open depsite the Kandiyohi County Museum being closed, which offered me and my friend Andy chances to photograph each other in the cab. Here I am in the hallowed engineer's seat, playing out a childhood daydream of growing up to be an engineer.
Photo Date:  6/12/2022  Upload Date: 6/17/2022 10:22:20 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  GN 2523(4-8-2)
Views:  118   Comments: 0
Hello, Chan!
Title:  Hello, Chan!
Description:  Shortly before 12:30 P.M. on the first Saturday of October, 2022, the crew aboard the Milwaukee 261 brings the "Gourmet Express" crosses Highway 101 as the train enters Chanhassen, where passengers will board for a run west on the Twin Cities & Western.
Photo Date:  10/1/2022  Upload Date: 10/3/2022 8:59:59 PM
Location:  Chanhassen, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  37   Comments: 0
Glorious E-Unit
Title:  Glorious E-Unit
Description:  The Milwaukee 32A brings up the rear of the 2022 "Gourmet Express" as the train crosses Highway 101 while entering Chanhassen, where passengers will embark on a run west along the Twin Cities & Western.
Photo Date:  10/1/2022  Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:00:28 PM
Location:  Chanhassen, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 32A(E9A)
Views:  62   Comments: 0
Charging Through Chaska
Title:  Charging Through Chaska
Description:  Steve Sandburg and company have the 261 running at a good gait as the 2022 "Gourmet Express" charges through Chaska shortly after 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of October, 2022.
Photo Date:  10/1/2022  Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:01:50 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  82   Comments: 0
Back In Hopkins
Title:  Back In Hopkins
Description:  The consist for the Friends of the 261's 2022 "Gourmet Express" stops in Hopkins to disembark volunteers late on the afternoon of the first Sunday of October, 2022. The snappy-looking 32A was the crew's motive power on eastbound runs, as per normal operations where the train cannot be turned.
Photo Date:  10/2/2022  Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:03:17 PM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives:  MILW 32A(E9A)
Views:  76   Comments: 0
Classy Train
Title:  Classy Train
Description:  The consist for the 2022 "Gourmet Express" is back in Hopkins after a weekend of trips out of Chanhassen over the Twin Cities & Western. What a classy train the Friends of the 261 have put together over the years!
Photo Date:  10/2/2022  Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:04:34 PM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives:  MILW 32A(E9A) MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  103   Comments: 0
Almost Home
Title:  Almost Home
Description:  The Milwaukee 261 is almost home as the train pauses to disembark volunteers in Hopkins prior to being led back to town by a PTC-equipped TCWR unit. The fall colors and big building add nice contrasts to this living legend of the rails.
Photo Date:  10/2/2022  Upload Date: 10/3/2022 9:05:59 PM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  MILW 261(4-8-4)
Views:  72   Comments: 0
There She Be
Title:  There She Be
Description:  After giving me and my chase buddy the slip out in Medina, we relocated the Empress at Humboldt Yard. After dashing ahead in case she was going further east, we doubled back to Humboldt upon learning this was as far east as she was heading.
Photo Date:  5/2/2024  Upload Date: 6/1/2024 10:42:39 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CP 2816(4-6-4)
Views:  26   Comments: 0
Tending The Empress
Title:  Tending The Empress
Description:  A CPKC steam crewmember tends to The Empress at Humboldt Yard about an hour after the "Final Spike" tour reached there.
Photo Date:  5/2/2024  Upload Date: 6/1/2024 10:44:32 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CP 2816(4-6-4)
Views:  23   Comments: 0
Conferring With The Railroad Police
Title:  Conferring With The Railroad Police
Description:  A CPKC employee confers with the CPKC police as the Empress simmers beneath cloudy (and now rain-free) skies on the day the "Final Spike" train reached the Twin Cities.
Photo Date:  5/2/2024  Upload Date: 6/1/2024 10:45:13 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CP 2816(4-6-4)
Views:  25   Comments: 0
Checking Her Over
Title:  Checking Her Over
Description:  A CPKC steam crewmember looks over The Empress as other crew confer near the legendary Hudson.
Photo Date:  5/2/2024  Upload Date: 6/1/2024 10:45:45 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  CP 2816(4-6-4)
Views:  29   Comments: 0
Gift From Doyle
Title:  Gift From Doyle
Description:  This canteen car coupled right behind the Empress is in CP paint but still bears the reporting marks of the Friends of the 4449. A gift from Doyle McCormack, who is also assisting with the Empress herself.
Photo Date:  5/3/2024  Upload Date: 6/1/2024 9:48:31 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  72   Comments: 0
Love Those Covered Wagons
Title:  Love Those Covered Wagons
Description:  Man are F-units classy! Please, please keep these babies in CP paint, CPKC. All you gotta do is add a little "CPKC" logo or something to keep 'em current.
Photo Date:  5/3/2024  Upload Date: 6/1/2024 9:46:20 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives:  CP 1401(FP9A)
Views:  72   Comments: 0


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