Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Tuesday, March 28
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Legacy»‘Elegant’ restored train steams through Eden Prairie this weekend
    Legacy

    ‘Elegant’ restored train steams through Eden Prairie this weekend

    Two restored Milwaukee Road locomotives and classic passenger cars will ride the Twin Cities and Western Railroad tracks
    By Jeff StrateSeptember 30, 2021Updated:October 1, 20214 Mins Read
    Steam engine pulling train
    The famed Olympian Hiawatha will follow its historic path through the western suburbs this weekend. Photo credit: Friends of the 261.

    “Milwaukee Road 261,” a steam locomotive that likely pulled passenger and troop trains to Chicago and Puget Sound during World War II, will chug along the same Delano to Hopkins right-of-way this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3. It will be assisted by a restored Milwaukee Road, diesel locomotive.

    If you delight in the drama of belching plumes and jets of hot steam, driving pistons, mechanical noises, train bells and shrill whistles, remain in town this weekend. The Milwaukee Road 261 and its power assist are passing through Eden Prairie and will be pulling a train of beautifully restored passenger cars.

    Eden Prairie provides a number of good train-spotting sites, but locomotive engineer Steve Sandberg told Eden Prairie Local News this week that the best place to view the train will be in Chanhassen at 500 Market Street when the train is boarded – Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Both seven-hour excursions head west to Glencoe and then back east to Hopkins with a return to Chanhassen.

    No tickets will be sold; both excursions are fully booked. Sandberg said that 40% of the passengers are from out-of-state; some from California, Florida and Texas. He is delighted that what is branded The Gourmet Express, is sparking business for local hotels, restaurants and attractions like the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    “We’ve been running the 261 for almost 30 years now,” said Sandberg. The excursions are operated by Friends of the 261, a nonprofit, volunteer group that also runs rail tours elsewhere in the Midwest.

    The “Cedar Rapids” art-deco-inspired lounge car at the tail of the Olympian Hiawatha was imagined by industrial designer Brooks Stevens. Photo credit: Friends of the 261.

    An affiliated Twin Cities organization, the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RHMA) takes on the restoration work.

    Sandberg comes from a railroading family and is RHMA’s chief operating officer.

    The Gourmet Express tours mirror the glamour era of passenger train travel in the United States when airlines were first becoming comfortable and the interstate highway system was being constructed.

    The Gourmet Express is traveling through our suburban quilt with restored coach and glass dome cars and the celebrated lounge car of the Milwaukee Road’s Olympian Hiawatha train (1947 to 1961).

    This weekend, passengers will see emerging fall colors in Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Carver County as they are served gourmet munchies and meals on the train and under a large dining tent set up at a secret whistle stop in rural Carver County.

    A restored, Milwaukee Road glass-domed dining car is part of the Gourmet Exoress. Image credit: Friends of the 261.

    During its prime, the Olympian Hiawatha could cruise up to 110 miles per hour on straightaways between Chicago and Seattle.

    In Eden Prairie, at much slower speeds, the elegant train passed by Birch Island Lake and Woods, over Eden Prairie Road, through a cove of Duck Lake and crossings at what are now Valley View and Dell Roads.

    Sandberg told EPLN that Friends of the 261 could not provide train watchers with a route schedule other than the loading times in Chanhassen. He and the Friends do want folks to enjoy and appreciate the sight and sounds of a railroading era that helped build America.

    The unforgettable sound of a steam locomotive or the blast of its warning whistle this weekend are signals that you have only a few minutes to head towards the TC&W Railroad tracks to a safe vantage point before the train arrives. Bring your phone cams. Stand way back from the tracks. Make a movie.

    Eden Prairie train spotting locations

    • Railroad bridge over Dell Road
    • Railroad crossing and signal on Valley View Road, near Eden Prairie High School (EPHS)
    • Eden Prairie Road/sidewalk bridge over the tracks near EPHS
    • Hallmark Lane dead end
    • Railroad crossing and signal on Birch Island Road (no parking permitted)
    • Railroad bridge over Indian Chief Road (conservation area parking lot)
    • Camp Eden Wood, conference center parking lot
    • Railroad crossing and signal on Highway 62 service road near Industrial Road 

    For more information go to Friends of the 261 website.

    For information on Twin Cities and Western Rail Road, the chief corporate sponsor of the Gourmet Express go to the TC&W website.

    Note: EPLN writer Jeff Strate also serves on EPLN’s Board of Directors

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFEPS accepting grant applications to support teachers and students
    Next Article ‘I can slow down a little bit’

    More to READ

    7 Mins Read

    Goodbye to a good boy: Mac the therapy dog led a life of service

    February 14, 2023
    7 Mins Read

    Remembering Ruth Hustad: A life of breaking barriers, building communities and fostering fulfilling friendships

    February 13, 2023
    6 Mins Read

    Research shines a light on EP’s Indigenous past

    December 10, 2022
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Police arrest suspect in connection to theft, gun possession

    March 27, 2023

    EP-based running club stays active all year long

    March 27, 2023

    EPHS names O’Leary as new head dance team coach

    March 27, 2023

    Standing with Ukraine in MN

    March 27, 2023

    Celebrating everyday heroes: Read three winning essays from the EP Optimist Club contest

    March 26, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

     

    Loading Comments...