This latest news about 261 is a refreshing light at the end of the tunnel. When I first heard last autumn that operation of the 261 was going to cease, I became extremely disappointed and saddened. I've been riding behind and supporting 261 since the first days of the original restoration in 1993. I found it difficult to imagine with all the folks out there across the USA who love and support this magnificent steam locomotive that nobody would step forward to purchase her and keep her running. If I was a millionaire, I certainly would have approached NRM to make a generous offer, then I immediately would have turned right around and offered Mr. Sandberg ANY type of operating agreement he was comfortable with as long as he agreed to let me ride in the cab every now and then......heh, heh.....
As far as I'm concerned, Steve Sandberg is an American hero for doing everything possible a man can do to preserve what operating big steam is all about. It's an important chapter in the history of what helped build a great America and I feel it's very important younger generations be exposed to this history in all its original glorious form. The equipment and SKILLS associated with this history MUST be passed on to future generations.
If you want to see some great operating footage of 261, I highly recommend the SVS film on DVD entitled "Ride the Milwaukee Road with 261". The producers of the film mounted a high quality video cam right inside the cab which allows you to see all the "in cab" crew action of what it takes to make 261 fly on the rails at high speed as well as spectacular camera shots of what it's like to sit behind her throttle at high speed.
It would be wonderful if 261 can be preserved in operating condition. If Steve Sandberg and his crew can find another big steamer to restore and operate, I would be happy to support that in any way possible as well. Wouldn't it be a stomach tingling experience to see him and his crew sitting behind the throttle of something like a Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Steam Locomotive No. 227 which sits in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum? I realize I'm a big dreamer but just sayin.....Ha..ha...If anybody deserves the privilege of driving the most powerful operating steam train in the world it should be him. I really don't care what engine he restores and operates....I would be happy to shake his hand and congratulate him in ALL his successes of big steam preservation.
Jim
