Fall Colors Excursion to Winona

This autumn the “Friends of the 261” in cooperation with Amtrak, BNSF Railway and Canadian Pacific will operate diesel-powered fall color excursion trains to help rise funds for the rebuilding of Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261. The trip will be pulled by one of Amtrak’s “Heritage” diesels. Amtrak has repainted four locomotives in different color schemes used by the passenger railroad over the last 40 years, since 2011 marks the company’s 40 Anniversary.*

On Sunday, Oct. 9 our train will operate from Minneapolis to La Crescent, Minn., with an intermediate stop at Winona. The train will depart Minneapolis at 9:00 a.m. and operate via Canadian Pacific’s scenic ex-Milwaukee Road main line along the Mississippi River. Passengers may detrain in Winona to spend the afternoon in town. The train will continue 24 miles to La Crescent where it will be turned and return to Winona and Minneapolis.

*Note: Participation of a Heritage-painted diesel has been requested but cannot be guaranteed.
*Times and cars on trips subject to change with out notice and may be delayed to freight traffic.