Galesburg RR Days

[Anonymous]

Anyone going to it this June? This will be my first trip there.

[dknelson]

I plan on going, even though RR Days will not be what it once was when it had the full enthusiastic support of the BN, the Santa Fe, Amtrak, EMD and GE as well as two major RR museums and two different steam locomotives! Ah those were the days.

The model train/train show at Carl Sandburg College is very much worth going to, and I gather there will be some kind of train display at the depot. The thing about Galesburg is the railfanning is great regardless of when you go so in that sense you can't go wrong. The big problem is having the good sense to finally go to bed at night rather than spending the whole night at Thirwell St Bridge over the yard

Be aware -- Milwaukee Road 261, the 4-8-4, will be coming into town (and leaving) on Friday of RR Days, and will also be on the former Rock Island main from Quad Cities to Bureau the Sunday of RR Days. So you may want to get there early Friday (or catch the 261 a few times on the line from Mendota?) and leave early Sunday so you can catch the steam locomotive. Right now that is what my plans look like.

[traingeek087]

I'm going to rr days, I have a little info on it, but still am planning. I plan on going to the carl sandberg model rr show and by the way, i've heard the 261 is suppose to be in to gbb at 4:00PM on friday. I'll try to keep you posted.

[Anonymous]

I will be there...
I'm planning on bringing my modules, and i also hope to catch MR 261.
Will there be any others steamers present?

Steam is in my blood.
when 3985 visited St. Louis, i went downtown about 4 times to get photos of it.. even when it was unoperational (it broke down in st louis)... then finally, skipped school just so i could catch 3985 and chase it to gorham, IL.

Mike
aim - insanerocketkid

[orsonroy]

261 is the only steam that's going to Galesburg this year, and it's only going to be there for a VERY short time. It's heading from Chicago to the Quad Cities on Friday, and will only be making a short stop at Galesburg (betcha that'll be the biggest crowd they get for this year!). Saturday and Sunday, 261 will be making trips between Davenport and Savanna.

I'll be catching 261 as she rolls through Naperville on Friday (I'm planning on taking a "long lunch" from work!), and chasing her around Savanna on Saturday. I might be doing some chasing on Sunday as well, but it's Fathers day, and I'm BBQ'ing later in the day for the dads.

[cwclark]

I'm not going but the great american train show will be in the houston area in june and i'm planning to go to it...with my checkbook!....[:D]...Chuck

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cjm89

Anyone going to it this June? This will be my first trip there.

CJM,

A bit off topic but the Burlington Route Historical Society Annual Meet will be held in Galesburg this fall. In years past it has mostly been in other states.

Thought you might be interested. More info at the BRHS web site at:

http://www.burlingtonroute.com/

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone ; I'm new here and this is my first post. I was wondering if anyone could tell me, where to get any info on seeing the steamer ,when it's in the Chicago area. Is there any way to catch a ride ,either here or the Galesburg area ? Thanks, RORORO.

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rororo

Hi Everyone ; I'm new here and this is my first post. I was wondering if anyone could tell me, where to get any info on seeing the steamer ,when it's in the Chicago area. Is there any way to catch a ride ,either here or the Galesburg area ? Thanks, RORORO.

Go to www.261.org They've got an online ordering form for ride tickets, but they might be sold out by now. The 261's schedule for June is on the website somewhere too.

[therailnut]

Well I am going because i actually live here. [:D][:D] I lived in Galesburg for the past 7 years. I will probably be out running around on friday waiting for the 261 to come in. The rest of my time will be spent railfanning and at the train show.

[dknelson]

The CB&Q Historical Society puts on an EXCELLENT convention. They are one of the very best of the historical societies. I hope to go to both RR Days and the convention.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Isn't the Milwaukee Road steamer part of the trip from Chicago to Rock Island, where the passengers then get on a restored Side Wheeler river boat going from the Quad Cities to Minneapolis/St. Paul? My uncle who lives in the Moline area told me about this a while ago, but I don't know if this is that trip.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cjm89

Isn't the Milwaukee Road steamer part of the trip from Chicago to Rock Island, where the passengers then get on a restored Side Wheeler river boat going from the Quad Cities to Minneapolis/St. Paul? My uncle who lives in the Moline area told me about this a while ago, but I don't know if this is that trip.

C-man,

Here's the info I have...

................
Hello All
Here is an updated list of trips the Milwaukee Road 4--8-4 #261 will be powering this summer.

These dates are tentative and times are unknown.

June 20 - Minneapolis to Milwaukee

June 22 - Milwaukee to Chicago

June 25 - Chicago to Rock Island over BNSF Chicago-Galesburg/Barstow mainline then on Iowa Interstate into Rock Island

June 26 - Davenport to Clinton and Savanna roundtrip

June 27 - Rock Island to Bureau vas Iowa Interstate roundtrip

June 28 - Clinton to Dubuque

June 29 - Dubuque to LaCrosse via IC & E

June 30 - LaCrosse to Minneapolis via BNSF River line

July 2 - NRHS "circle trip" up and down the Mississippi River. BNSF down and CP return

July 3 - St Paul to LaCrescent on CP River line and return. This will be a doubleheader with the CP's 4-6-4 #2816. They will shuttle all day between Minneapolis and St Paul.

[Anonymous]

Where is this Galesburg?

[Anonymous]

In North-Central Illinois, somewhere between Peoria and The Quad Cities.

It's on the old CB&Q (BNSF) Chicago-Denver main, and where the branches to Quincy, Peoria, and Moline connect to the mainline.

[Anonymous]

It's worth the trip from Western Mi. it is a 2-3 day event with train show, They have a musuem, and train rides in the yard, A jam packed festival. I was in Geneseo (exit 25 i think of of i-80) The steam etrain is rolling through there on the Fri June 26th.

[Anonymous]

Hey CJM89, i see you are in West Central IL, are you North of Peoria?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pacificnorthern

Hey CJM89, i see you are in West Central IL, are you North of Peoria?

Noooo. Waaayy south of there, between Jacksonville and Alton.

[Anonymous]

Any suggestions on some good vantage points ,to watch the 261 come through Chicago and it's western suburbs ? Is Burlington ave. in LaGrange the correct route ? Thanks.

[traingeek087]

QUOTE: Originally posted by insanerocketkid

I will be there...
I'm planning on bringing my modules, and i also hope to catch MR 261.
Will there be any others steamers present?

Steam is in my blood.
when 3985 visited St. Louis, i went downtown about 4 times to get photos of it.. even when it was unoperational (it broke down in st louis)... then finally, skipped school just so i could catch 3985 and chase it to gorham, IL.

Mike
aim - insanerocketkid






Hey, your not the only one. I've skipped school for the 3985 too. In fact, I get to see the #261 on June 25th, then I probably get to see the #3985 on June 28th.

[Anonymous]

Anybody out there with any viewing suggestions [?]

[Anonymous]

How do i find a map of where i can "run along" and catch 261 at?
Dont know the area, and dont really know of anyone going to galesburg, to boot.
Mike

[simon1966]

My wife just pointed out that there is a quilt show of some type going on in Peoria, Il the same weekend as the Galesburg Railroad days. Peoria is only 43 miles from Galesburg so we now have a nice weekend worked out where I dropmher off in Peoria and I carry on with the boys to Galesburg.

[dknelson]

Simon: there is a fast way to get from Galesburg to Peoria and a slow way. The slow way is to follow the former CB&Q branch. If you are lucky you might see a train. There are still depots to see in Yates City (preserved) and Gilson (a grain elevator office) and other structures and sidings of interest. Indeed Peoria has much of interest to check out while you are down there.
Dave Nelson