Milwaukee 265

bobyar2001 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:22 am

Long before liberation to IRM, on September 23, 1958, at Milwaukee:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/milw/milw-s265alr.jpg

Don C. · **Posted:** Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:46 am

Happily, her sister will be back in town this June, but in steam.

Don C.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Don:

Seeing this photo of S3 # 265 when she was on display in Milwaukee jarred my memory. I notice that the 261 now has the numbers in her "jumbo" Milwaukee Road number boards spaced slightly different than standard CMStP&P practice. Did the original number boards "disappear" sometime in the past or what is the story? This is a minor item but just thought I'd ask since this photo of 265 made me think of it.

Les

Ed Selinsky · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:24 pm

The original numbers boards that came with the 261 in 1956 eventually were broken or shot out and replaced at least twice during the 35 years of exhibition at the National Railroad museum. Neither of the replacements were authentic Milwaukee Road lettering. I do recall some research was done on that lettering, but do not recall the details. We have replaced the boards once already after one was broken (I believe we hit something at speed which put a hole in the plexiglass.) The replacements are now twice as thick.

Ed Selinsky

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Thanks for the info Ed. I guess I should have also asked if the number boards on the 265 are the originals. Anyone on the board from IRM that can tell us?

Also, what about the number boards on the Milwaukee Road ten-wheeler that is preserved up in Minnesota (CMStP&P #1004)?

Les

Don C. · **Posted:** Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:35 am

Les,
I knew Ed would come to the rescue. I do remember when we arrived back as the shop with one of number boards' glass broken out. The "oversized" numerals on the Milwaukee Road engines always got me wondering if their standards for visual acuity were more lenient than that of other carriers....lol.
Don C.

Mark D. · **Posted:** Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:36 pm

The broken number board Ed mentioned was broken on the western edge of the Twin Cities while returning from an excursion.
Steve was driving, and he saw a couple of kids throw something.
Upon return to the shop the broken number board was discovered...With a golf ball inside.
I'd bet they were aiming for the headlight. Lucky their aim was just a tad off.
Mark D.