MONTEVIDEO – Train enthusiasts and history lovers have the unique opportunity starting July 17 as local non-profit “Friends of the 261” works with the city of Montevideo to bring a three-day long excursion on rail throughout rural Minnesota. Taking stops along the way for food and to enjoy the sites.

The event was meant to take place on July 4, however scheduling conflicts and busy schedules made that difficult. Determined to continue the event, The Friends of the 261 and Montevideo pushed the date back a few weeks.

“We just kinda shoved the coal in the steam engine and plunged forward.” Tessa Peterson from the Montevideo Chamber of Commerce said.

According to a press release from the Montevideo Chamber of Commerce, this will be the first time the friends of the 261 have returned to Montevideo since 2001.

The Friends of the 261 is a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis that works to restore, preserve, and operate historic locomotives and rail cars. That includes taking older rail cars and overhauling them with heating, plumbing, air conditioning and a new paint job.

According to the Friends of the 261 website, the three-day excursion will include 6.5 hours of train travel each day, taking midday stops for lunch and photos.

In addition, the Friends of the 261 is partnering with select hotels along the trip so guests may stay there at a discount. The hotel booking is not included in the ticket price, so to receive the discount, guests must mention the Friends of the 261 when they book.

Tickets start at $250 for adults and $199 for children. The Friends of the 261 offers seating for first class, as well as the super dome and cedar rapids cars. Where tickets can go up to as high as $650.

There will be shorter runs on July 18 to Granite Falls and Appleton. The Granite Falls river run starts at 9:30 a.m. and includes views of the Granite Falls river. The Appleton run starts at 2 p.m. These tickets start $59.

One highlight of the shorter excursions will be the Appleton runs wye track configuration, whre the train will change directions on a three point turn while passengers are in the car.

“It is pretty spectacular if you’re a train enthusiast.” Silverhus said.

For more information and where to buy tickets, you can find the Friends of the 261’s website at https://261.com/excursions/usa-250/.