Milwaukee Road 261 to Duluth

So BNSF allows some steam trips, do they also have a no open window/vestibule policy like NS? Do they operate trips under the Amtrak umbrella so they need the Amtrak Genesis unit, is it for protection, HEP, etc?

As Hot Water pointed out, it's actually the Amtrak policy you're talking about.

Let's just say that the 261 group is very hospitable and wants passengers to have an excellent day of train riding.  You are not likely to be disappointed.  Let's just leave it at that.  I have never seen anyone from Amtrak aboard the cars on 261 excursions.

I guess the policy has changed in the 10 years since I rode. Back then they sold safety goggles in the concession car. I got the last pair that day.


Getting a face full of cinders and loving it.


Great view!

The first NS 21st Century trips in late 2011 allowed open vestibule riding then NS put an end to that. All the 2013 excursions required all vestibules closed when train was in motion. They even posted printed papers on the doors saying so. I was on the 765 Horseshoe Curve public trip. But we made a emergency stop past the curve near the tunnel and a worker opened one of the vestibule doors at the end of my coach and I got a whiff of coal that familiar smell that I remember from all the steam trains I rode in PA, NJ, DE. Actually I can't remember if the worker left the door open when going through the tunnel because that's where I smelled the coal smell I believe.

Nothing has changed in that regard.  That's why I purchased the ticket.

Kevin