In late June and early July, Milwaukee Road 261 participated in the Grand Excursion, a celebration of the first train's arrival to Rock Island. The original GE took place in 1854 in which a special train
ran from Chicago to Rock Island. At Rock Island the passengers boarded steam boats for a journey up the Mississippi River to Minneapolis/St. Paul. 150 years later in 2004, recreators wanted to do what was done in 1854 which was
to bring people from Chicago on a steam train to steam boats at Rock Island. After MILW 261's arrival on June 25, it spent the weekend in the QC running a couple round trip excursions. Here are some pictures and details of each trip:
6-25-2004
On Friday the 25th, MILW 261 ran out of Chicago on the BNSF to Galesburg where the train was wyed and brought to Rock Island via BNSF's Barstow Sub. The train arrived in Rock Island to large crowds and a band celebrating.
I was fortunate enough to ride the deadhead move across the river into Davenport for storage overnight at the IC&E West Davenport yard. Here is a view looking at the Crescent Bridge from MILW "Wisconsin Valley", then of
the MILW 261 crossing the Crescent Bridge at sunset from along the Rock Island bank of the river:
6-26-2004
On Saturday the 26th, MILW 261 ran a round trip to Savanna from Davenport on the IC&E.
Upon their return to Davenport, the train was moved to Rock Island in preperation for Sunday's trip on the IAIS.
6-27-2004
On Sunday the 27th, MILW 261 ran a round trip to Bureau from Rock Island on the IAIS.
6-28-2004
On Monday the 28th, MILW 261 ran up the river on the IC&E to Dubuque from Davenport to continue to St. Paul.
