Milwaukee Road #261, Sandwich, Illinois

[atm91771]

Nicest thing about this video? She wasn't dragging an ugly diesel backup.

Beautiful work.

[WorldsCast]

that is one of the most epic trains i've ever seen.

BUT! I HAVE TO SAY, the flying scotsman is lighter, more powerful, and faster.

But do not let that discourage the fact that this train is probably the best american train to be built.

Lots of history behind it!

[OV099Challenger]

@WorldsCast Absolutely no offense meant to you, I'm a fan of the Scotsman myself, but there is no way that she is more powerful than this locomotive. Lighter and faster, most certainly, but not more powerful. The Scotsman has a tractive effort of 29,385, and while that is impressive, #261 has an effort of 62,119, almost twice of the Scotsman's. Please get your facts straight before posting.

[MrMattIntel]

LOL SANDWICH, IL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLL

[TV843]

Imagine getting to drive that thing for a job. Took about a little kid's dream all-grown-up!

[luvtotruck]

The other thing I remember was stopping at Princeton Il and the fire department was there to help her take on water and it took on thousands of gallons. cant wait to take a trip on her again. So glad to hear she shall pound the rails again soon.

[luvtotruck]

I was on that one from Chicago to Galesburg. best 225 bucks for a day I spent.

[MrCrossIsBoss]

Your wife did an OUTSTANDING JOB filming this!!!!! You have to be one of the most blessed and happiest men on this planet!

[glenn1340]

six people have no fire in thier firebox

[chico4449]

261 and its Hiawatha livery, I love how i live only 3 miles from its shed off of Broadway and Central in NE Minneapolis, I hope they fix her up soon!!!

[thomasrosiefan1]

@chico4449 261 should be running hopefully this summer.

[chico4449]

@thomasrosiefan1 Good to know, Thanks!!!

[Mcoov]

1:36 Planes, trains, and automobiles!

[TheMattsbro]

i saw this engine when i was 2,3 or 4

[strangersound]

Awesome! :)

[MrZkr123]

I wish the Hiawatha's still were around

[johnr1960]

Sound was not added by me. While my wife was hanging out the side door, shooting the video, we had a remote mic, inside the van, that was out of the wind. We just kept the side door open during the shoot.

[RenanBrasilia]

@johnr1960 , Fantastic ! My oldest brother always reminds me the old sound of this machine which travel us to our childhood. Sweet times, sweet moments... Thanks for posting it!!!!

[jjbox3]

the sound sounds artificial added by u

[poodiemyers]

I have watched a lot of locomotive videos but this is still my favorite for capturing sound and action.

[TheAckwardTurtle]

waw i live in sandwich!

[Barricade360]

r they still running milwakie 261 as an excursion train or have they retired it to an museum?

[mcr0928]

@Barricade360 Right now its being restored to run n another excursion

[PRRK4Lover]

@Barricade360 She was gonan be sent back to the museum in Green Bay Wisconsin, but the museum sold her to "The Friends of 261", a few months back for I think, $250,000

So she will keep running as much as they can.

[mcr0928]

@PRRK4Lover Ya know, she's doing a trip to houston/galveston tx on her upcoming excursion???!

[BradNC11175]

Beautiful!

[Dinosorable]

That's my favorite train!

[JDBsLonelyGirl]

WOW! (: crazy for that to go through my home town.

[The3751FAN]

I LOVE THAT WHISTLE , whats also good is that the friends of 261 bought her back I got to talk to one of the owners while railfanning in Wellsboro,IN thats wat he told me.

[thomasrosiefan1]

Isn't that the BNSF rail grinder from the January, 2008 of Trains Magazine at 0:31 to 0:35?

[skullcrusher301]

I was on that train.

[MSTLOM]

45 MPH?? That's it?? Lets "Light it up" a bit and get her up to 75 or so!!

[jarl44]

American greed my friend it's why we are in the the great financial disaster that we are in. It cut down on the work force because it needs more up keep than the diesel but it's gone because of greed get rid of the american worker and make more.But there's only one problem if he does'nt work whos='s going to pay the taxes.

[TheGodzilla20002]

That's my favorite train!

[ridgedog64]

The whistle literally gave me goosebumps. I remember seeing 261 a few years ago in LaGrange, IL. I hope the NRM comes to their senses and I to see her run again someday.

[8inchime]

Looks like the 261 was changed over to oil. In my footager it was still coal.

[BeezrGeezr]

Great video. Any way we can get the righthand audio track back? It was so good in stereo!

[ArkRed1]

Being a railroad brat this really brings a tear to my eye to watch this. How I miss the old steam locomotives.

[NWPowhatanArrow611]

I really hope that the Friends of 261 and the National Railroad Museum (the owners of the 261) can come to an agreement on it's lease. It would be a shame for the 261 to end up like N&W 611 and 1218 over greed on the part of it's owner.

[run202run]

Screw NRM and their greediness

[NWPowhatanArrow611]

Agreed. Rust In Peace 261.

[deloreanman14]

Amen brother! Boycott the NRM!

[rockguitarist946]

god i love the sound of a steam engine!!!

[MaxInterjects]

This is, without any doubt, THE best 261 video I have ever seen anywhere!

[jonrjunk]

According to specs, the drive wheels are 74" diameter. If you count the revolutions of the drive wheels during the video just after it comes from behind the stationary cars, it's about 240 rpm. Assuming no slip, that's about 53 miles per hour.

[Conrail6370]

That Whistle is not the whistle that belongs to the 261, the whistle that belongs on her is made of Cast Iron and has a much diffrent sound. Go to my channel and you'll hear her real whistle from when she visit Steamtown NHS Grand opening in 1995.

Len.

[LotusbandicootRR]

AWESOME whistle!!!

[kmillard]

Is that the real locomotive whistle or is that added in for effect??

[johnr1960]

That is the actual recording, no special effects.

[Jamersonde]

the rail grinder gets in the way from 0:31 to 0:37.

[tommylord]

Fantastic job getting this video!

A friend of mine at work rode this train to Galesburg in 2000. He gave me the pamphlets when he came back to work.

[jbr69gto]

One of the best 261 vids on youtube. Nicely done!!!

[TL250Rider]

This is great Thank you

[skateboy159]

how fast was this train goin?

[1225dude]

a lot faster than the 45 mph that the owner of this video says its goin

[arrowguy173]

LOVE that whistle. Nice vid.

[gaycowboy31]

sweet video I have riden in the cab of this locomotive at 80 plus MPH

[im2dolce]

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved trains. I love the sound that comes from them. Did you know that when the train comes to a road crossing it blows its whistle. Each whistle blow says a word; "Here Comes the Train." Stretch out the word with each blow of the whistle, and you'll hear it. Here comes the train. Try it ! Thank you for sharing your train experience.

[Kleman09]

I saer it, i hear it. Thats so cool. Did you know that the locomotives have a face that is happy when its on the road and sad when its in the museum just sittin there as a display.

[im2dolce]

I had never heard about trains faces. I'm going to have to pay attention at the next train museum I visit. Very cool !!! Thank you!

[mythicky]

I could watch this all day and never get board!

[msc4lf]

Is this train something like a 4-8-4? I'm just learning about trains.

[FGLK1702]

yes, the 261 is a 4-8-4.

[SteffanLlwyd]

You identified it correctly. A four wheel truck under the firebox enables the locomotive to have a big fire and therefore high continuous draw bar horse power (DBHP). Eight driving wheels will go around most mainline curves OK. The wheels are bige enough for a reasonable speed, and small enough for high starting tractive effort (TE) The .4-8-4 was probably the nearest they got to the perfect wheel arrangement...

[Kleman09]

The Nickel Plate Berkshire is actualy the closest they get to a perfect wheel arrangement. 2-8-4 rules!

[1225dude]

for frieght, it defineatly was. No question about it. 4-8-4s can do frieght too, but not as effectively as Berks.

[Timberland1952]

I love how he makes the whistle sing.

[MARDutt]

STEAM TRAINS KICK ASS AND WHOOP ASS

[DeltaPhi79]

Sounds like the same whistle on the Quincy No.2

[BruDiggity]

How cool was the airplaine in the background? Nice job filming!

[sheilamichael]

Can you tell me how you know when these trains are coming into town...I would love to see it. Thanks. Sheila

[zarits500]

Hauling ass!!! amazing  !!!!!

[Boxcar4664]

Nice video. I remember running down to the old depot as a kid to watch the steam locomotive when it came to town for the Sandwich State Fair. I was only 2 blocks away on Mechanic st. As a result, I've been a rail fan all my life. Had a chance to come back through town 40 years later, was saddened to see the Depot was gone... but everything else was much the same, just a bit older. Thanks for the memories!

[chandlerh2]

that is awesome power there great to see these trains still crusing the rails . history in action

[briquetaverne]

I guess the pilot in that cessna at @ 1:20 must like steam too.

[Pac3steel]

Ahhh, good old steam!

I never get tired of it. I'm a member of a group who restored and run an old 1912 Consolidation.

Ex-CN #2141. That was the best thing I ever done, work on a big restoration project like that.

Great video! Thanks for posting it!

[manforspace]

The time of steam trains are dreams of yesterday when the glory existed on the rails. Those wonderful, wonderful days of steam and all its glory. I can remember when a small boy at the water tower in illinois along the railroad on my uncles farm. I dreamed my life away along the railroad sitting on that unused water tower so long ago. What a thrill I had then.

[love4uand4me]

I love the sound of that steam locomotive. I hope it comes through Memphis, Tn., my hometown, someday.

[BruDiggity]

Hey, great job filming!

[micahthatrocks]

can someone tell me the history of this steam locomotive? :-)

[Superphilipp]

Wikipedia can.

[Metracab123]

WOW i lOVE That Whistle!!!!!

[shorehamsoo]

right now she is in the process of going threw her 15 year overhaul, she dont look the same as in this video...

[UAL012]

What a cool video. I love seeing these old steamers doing what they were born to do.

I live in Pueblo, Colorado where we have a 1944 Baldwin 4-8-4 #2912 that needs to come back to life.

[chico4449]

It, very nice to see some powerful hometown steam!

[kbg39]

cool!!

[16BRIGADE]

Britain had some good looking steam locomotives. However the Yankie steam locomotive looks the part.Big,powerful,rugged,handl­e anything anytime.They look the dogs bollocks, as you would say in England

[BaphometKnows]

You got some nice class 37 diesels that have some sophisticated engines. Am i right pal?

[JimmyandNellie]

In my opinion yankee steam locomotives are the most beautiful steam locomotives in the world.But a steam locomotive is a steam locomotive regardless of where they come from.

[BladerC]

So beautiful!!

[OtakuRonin]

was that an airplane flying along in the background?

[johnr1960]

Yes, it was following the train also.

[OtakuRonin]

oh, i thought maybe thats what it was doing, that must have been something to see! what a great video! it must be alot of fun do such things. thanks for sharing!

[larrya444]

I was out to visit my dad when this thing blew through town. He lives on Cedar St. about a block north of the tracks in town. You could hear this thing coming for about five minutes or so. Dad and I walked down to the corner to watch it like we always did when I was a little tyke. Talk about raw power of a locomotive all the while being more beautiful than any piece of artwork. I will never forget that sound.

[trackman6667]

This video truly captures the beauty and power of this truly remarkable machine.Very good photography.

[PercyIsAwesomeness93]

261 is sure a beautiful engine.

Has she ever been to a Railfair?

[Independofuck]

Isn't it amazing to see such heavy pieces of steel moving that fast? Imagine they'd get lose... oh dear! :)

The best thing about this video is that it shows three different kinds of transportation on the move! Great shot!

[3254man]

Thats more than 45mph

[johnr1960]

No, it was exactly 45 mph. I was driving. My wife shot this footage, hanging out the window of our van.

[trainmaster4449]

Wait a minute are you Steve Sandberg?

[3254man]

It looks faster

[diggwadd]

When will this train come around again?

[Hiei2k7]

Better catch it this year if you haven't already, it's going in for its 15 Year Boiler inspection and cleaning this year-next year.

[SeniorMinch229018]

She'll be back though. And we will be waiting.

[franklinterrier]

it'll be back next year, I didn't see it at speed, but I saw itleaving downtown chicago in reverse

[cs512tr]

we have a small aircraft flying along with us too lol.

[York22]

awesome!! I wish steam locomotives would come back. it would be a wonderful sight to see these beautiful engines as the majority on the railways of america again from sea to shining sea.

[choirboyfromhell]

I give you Brits credit where it's due. You have preserved a large number and great variety of steamers in your country, and you all are afraid to run them on the mainlines. Really like your "spam cans".

[ctmajka]

Man...I've lived in Somonauk since I was 3 and I have seen this engine right in my back yeard every year it went by...I'm now 17 and STILL love to see that engine come thru...it's quite a beautiful site.

[dtunzzlistener]

Great Pace shot. Noticed the plane in the back ground doing some pacing of his own. That was really moving. Thank You.

[SteffanLlwyd]

Wonderful blood-curdling chime. Fond as I am of our own UK locomotives, nothing beats mighty US steam. Many thanks for posting.

[16BRIGADE]

I am not a steam locomotive enthuiast.However I do enjoy Listening to the lonesome call of the American locomotive whistle and the power of the locomotives used.I do agree that we should keep these machines running for as long as possible so our future generations can enjoy them as much as we do.

[Nardol]

I think this one sounds even better than the UP 3985

[jordanzVday]

questa sì che è potenza e velocità!!!

[bizzer261]

Proud to say i was on this trip :) I love watching the chasers from the train.

[Arsd08]

I was in the third car from the front in the door watching for on comming trains for the Chicago Chapter NRHS. I now live in st paul MN just a short drive to the home base.

[MrDaylight844]

That horn is amazing

[jgdesign]

Beautiful. I wasn't even born when these beasts ruled the rails. Love that horn. Not nerve-ripping like diesel horns.

[SkipW]

Excellent, And Thanks for posting it!

[zenotest]

As a young boy on the old watertower by the railroad I remember with tears those great steam trains sincerely Ron Eck

[fiddlerpin]

She really means business! We had her back east on the old LACKAWANNA In Scanton's Steamtown museum in the 90's I think. Sounds alot better than the 1225 Berk.

[Hiei2k7]

I lived in Northwestern Illinois when the 261 would make the yearly trip to Railroad Days in Galesburg via Savanna, IL...oh what a sight to see pulling up out of Burke Hill on the BN (now BNSF) Chicago & Iowa line.

[razgrizaceblaze259]

I agree 100%. You just don't get the same sense of power and beauty from the diesels that you get from the steam engines. Not to mention their whistles are 10× better than diesel horns.

[PetesNikon]

Great Video, love the sights and sounds! Thanks. Yeah, I spotted the ultra-light chasing it before I saw comments on it.

[Relentlesone]

Must say very nice. Looks like tons of fun. Keep up the great work.

[Yotehunter93]

ive been inside it

[britarthc]

lol. sandwich illinois

[Ron900]

Very good action shot. what speed was 261 doing.

is 261 still in action?

[TVRM610]

#261 is still in action and #265 will be coming out soon.

[HBlejk]

What a ride ! Wonderful !

[SkipW]

Get Down! Get Down! Its a Hi-Ball with a chase plane too! You did a Excellent Job Man!

Thanks4postinIt

[jaybird0827]

Awesome - that guy's really hauling, too.

[flyboytgb]

lol I see a plane following it too at 1:28. thanks for posting!

[fiddlerpin]

Fantastic Video! People don't realize how hard it is to chase a train, let alone film it. Cars get in the way etc.  Great Job!

[ConnyJ10]

That is one impressive beast. Poetry in motion.

[parkman35]

I saw this come through in Plano which is just east of Sandwich. There were dozens of rail fans there to shoot pictures and photos.

[BackOnTheRoad]

Great video, and great to see 261 without a diesel helper.

[LNERMallard]

true. They hould just bring spare locomotive parts in a boxcar in case she would brake down. No diesels, though! They just make the train look un-historical.

[MaxInterjects]

this video is by far one of the best videos on all of youtube. i cant stop watching it!

[radiolarion]

Nice pace shot! I did the same thing with the CP 2816 as it was heading back to Canada on 9/16/07. I was on the double-header from MSP to Lacrosse and back the day before. Ya know, it's as much fun to chase a steam train as it is to ride it? And the plane pacing the train is cool too.

[Brian3219]

lol

a plane was in the background

it looked like they were wrestling

[mrstepstool]

Awesome! I recently discovered the R.R. stuff

on YT and this has got to be the best! The Northern is my favorite. Here, I look at one and touch it, at I.R.M.

[SpeckledPerch]

Wow,i want one of these,hehehe.

[acdmb25]

I remember this, i watched from the Arts parking lot

[Trainman11185]

nice SP 6 chime whistle

[OldsVistaCruiser]

Being from the East Coast, I have to ask:

Was this filmed on ex-Milwaukee Road trackage, and if not, which railroad was this filmed on?

A great video - yes, the scenery passing is consistent with 45 mph, but "optical delusions" make it look faster with that beautiful piece of machinery! ;-)

[johnr1960]

This was shot on the Burlington Northern Railroad.

[Gotthard68]

amazing!! you really get the strength and power of a steam locomotive!!

[3AGL33YY3]

Nice footage

[boogerkitty123]

Very Nice Video, John! I'm going Chicago to Minneapols with the Friends of the 261 excursion pulled by this locomotive in September '07. Your video makes it all the more exciting, cannot wait to see her in real-life. Thanks!

[filmteknik]

Great video.

[noshi69]

Great vid, train, airplane and car,,,, just brings a tear to my eyes,,,

[monty5329]

nothing beats big steam

[djdecember]

thats right by my house

[lra301]

Now that's a happy engine! Looked like the airplane was gonna try to land on it.

[theup3985]

Whooo!!! What a beautiful whistle!! :o)

[damphmann]

It looks as though she is running faster than 45 mph judging by how fast the poles are f;ying by and the motion of her rods-- 60 mph, perhaps.

Awesome whistle!

[SteffanLlwyd]

Yes. 60mph I reckon too. American steam is awesome. The most impressive machines every constructed, 'cept possibly for the Space Shuttle. (Out of the two, I'd choose this wonderful beast.)

(:>) 4-8-4 (<:)

[johnr1960]

It was 45 mph. I was pacing it.

[phelonyjones]

We did our best to pace the 261 but she moves fast... was ahead of schedule...

[SkipW]

Awesome, But who has the footage from that chase plane? I saw up there towards the end.

[johnr1960]

Don't know, but they should have been on the south side of the train with us, so they would shoot the sunny side, not the shady side.

[mafarnz]

wow, this has everything! Sweet!

[Scowguy]

Inspiring.  What a GREAT video.

[piggyjo]

shoot I missed that, I wish I could have been there I was on vacation at that time too, darn.