We departed at 2:58 by reversing past the foundation of the former roundhouse before reversing across the bridges to La Crescent, where our train would be wyed for the return journey.
We re-crossed the Mississippi River.
At River Junction West, milepost 283.6, we started around the large wye at La Crescent.
With all the high water from the recent rains, new lakes had formed inside the wye.
This looks like a good fishing hole to someone who does not know better.
A great view of the palisade on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River.
A most beautiful scene!
I love scenes like this.
The plantlife created a unique setting. There was a short wye cutting across, which we did not use.
Almost to the switch at the south end of the large wye.
On the switch.
The return track would be new mileage for me as on the Grand Excursion in June 2004, we took the way we had just come from to get to La Crosse from Dubuque.
You could see down the train as the rear was now on the line to Dubuque.
We now start up the connecting track to the mainline, where my new mileage started until we reache the Canadian Pacific Railway's mainline again. I returned to my seat and enjoyed the late afternoon trip along the Mississippi River after talking with several friends on the train. We took the siding at Donehower, milepost 293.0, for BNSF 5966 East. At the next siding at Homer, milepost 303.3, we went into there for Canadian Pacific 9558 East.
At Winona, a Canadian Pacific local with a Soo Line locomotive. Knowing that we were getting near the flash flood damage, I returned to the vestibule to capture a few pictures.
The flood damage from the August 17th and 18th, 2007 flash flooding near Minnesota City.
This where the former Milwaukee Road bridge was flooded away that night and Canadian Pacific built a shoofly around it a week later. We then made our way to Red Wing and another servicing stop for the steam engines.
I found Dennis Larsen, whom I took to Bob Riskie, so they could catch up on things then visited the folks in the baggage car and had nice conversations with many people. As we reached Hastings, I returned to the vestibule.
Crossing the Mississippi River at Hastings.
We ran along the Mississippi River as we neared St. Paul, train passed through the yards then climbed Westminster Hill to leave St. Paul, returning to Minneapolis Junction at 8:45 PM, ending a fantastic trip with both Milwaukee Road 261 and Canadian Pacific 2816. We drove back to the Best Western Kelly Inn in Plymouth then Chris, Anton and I had dinner at the Green Mill Restaurant and Lounge, where I enjoyed a fantastic steak. We called it a night as I had my next steam trip, tomorrow while Chris and Anton would give chase.
