I have been in the search mode, trying to find the announcement about the doubleheader meeting the steam riverboats at the destination (LaCrescent ?)... with no luck.
I remember the announcement saying there would be a meet between the 261 & 2816 and at least two riverboats, all exchanging whistle salutes.

Was I dreaming, or
Is this still expected to happen?
or,
is there another 2816 & 261 trip ?
I can't find any mention of it.

Thanks for any leads,
or tell me I was dreaming.

Steve.

> I have been in the search mode, trying to
> find the announcement about the doubleheader
> meeting the steam riverboats at the
> destination (LaCrescent ?)... with no luck.
> I remember the announcement saying there
> would be a meet between the 261 & 2816
> and at least two riverboats, all exchanging
> whistle salutes.

> Was I dreaming, or
> Is this still expected to happen?
> or,
> is there another 2816 & 261 trip ?
> I can't find any mention of it.

> Thanks for any leads,
> or tell me I was dreaming.

> Steve.

Steve
There hasn't been any announcement of anything of that nature that I'm aware of, but if there was it certainly was not an official announcement, because it wasn't on the 261 web site.
However, something similar to that should happen, as when the double header ends back in St. Paul it supposedly should coincide with the arrivle of the whole flotilla of boats. At this time there should be this big balloon arch floating over the river, and lots of whistles blowing from every boat and locomotive in the area. Then once everything is stopped I guess it's time to grease the rods.

Also, as the double header is going downstream in the morning, it's very likely the train and boats will meet somewhere just south of St. Paul. Remember, those boats go about 6 knots (8 for the big ones, but then there's the downstream current....) So, if they meet you can be sure there will be an exchange of whistles. That happened last fall during the October trips on the 4th and 5th. One of those boats, (Mississippi Queen?, Delta Queen? I wouldn't have a clue) was under way and there was a nice salute between the two at that time. The steamboat sounded like a caliope.
Mark D.


mnmach@lakes.com

If you go to the friends of the 261 website it says CP Trips temporaily on hold but no further explanation I could see. WOOLY

> Steve
> There hasn't been any announcement of
> anything of that nature that I'm aware of,
> but if there was it certainly was not an
> official announcement, because it wasn't on
> the 261 web site.
> However, something similar to that should
> happen, as when the double header ends back
> in St. Paul it supposedly should coincide
> with the arrivle of the whole flotilla of
> boats. At this time there should be this big
> balloon arch floating over the river, and
> lots of whistles blowing from every boat and
> locomotive in the area. Then once everything
> is stopped I guess it's time to grease the
> rods.

> Also, as the double header is going
> downstream in the morning, it's very likely
> the train and boats will meet somewhere just
> south of St. Paul. Remember, those boats go
> about 6 knots (8 for the big ones, but then
> there's the downstream current....) So, if
> they meet you can be sure there will be an
> exchange of whistles. That happened last
> fall during the October trips on the 4th and
> 5th. One of those boats, (Mississippi
> Queen?, Delta Queen? I wouldn't have a clue)
> was under way and there was a nice salute
> between the two at that time. The steamboat
> sounded like a caliope.
> Mark D.


wooly421@charter.net

> If you go to the friends of the 261 website
> it says CP Trips temporaily on hold but no
> further explanation I could see. WOOLY

Wooly
That is for the proposed trips from Minneapolis to North Dakota. The double header is still on.
Mark D.

Steve, you are not dreaming. That announcement was made in the January 2004 "Friends of the 261" Newsletter.

Fitz's Steam Railfan page
fitzrr@pioneer.net