2014 Windy City Express

Friends of the 261 is offering a chance this summer to ride vintage passenger cars from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee and Chicago this June. Our fully restored cars offer a memorable journey you’ll cherish for years to come! Meticulously refurbished, these cars recall the era when traveling was half the fun of a vacation.

Ride the rails in style between Minneapolis and Chicago in an all-matched train painted in the orange and maroon colors of Milwaukee Road passenger trains of the 1950s. This trip will feature our premier rolling stock, including the following:

Super Dome 53: Premium Class Dining and Dome Car and*
Lamberts Point: Premium Class Business Observation Car*

As with all of our premier excursions, these cars will travel behind Amtrak’s Empire Builder, leaving Minneapolis early morning on Friday, June 20 and returning on Saturday afternoon, June 21 .

While riding the rails, enjoy freshly-prepared meals and libations knowing that you are supporting the restoration of our Milwaukee Road Steam Locomotive 261.

These trips will have limited seating, all in premium class. With the recent reduction in air fares between the Twin Cities and Chicago, you may wish to fly one way and take the train the other. Passengers are responsible for making their own hotel reservations in Chicago or Milwaukee if needed.