The zoo train's last steam engine is leaving soon. Here's when you can ride behind it

Earlier this year, the Milwaukee County Zoo announced that the popular zoo train's two steam locomotive engines would be retired and replaced by custom-built diesel engines. No changes have been made to the zoo's passenger coaches.

The No. 1916 steam engine left the zoo April 1, but zoo visitors will still have several chances to ride the train as it's pulled by the No. 1924 engine before it leaves on Oct. 31.

The remaining steam engine is scheduled to run July 19-20 and Aug. 9-10, 15-18, 23-24, and 30-31. There will also be September and October dates announced at a later date.

According to the zoo's March announcement, the steam engines are being retired because the zoo "has had a significant concern with operating the steam locomotives while still following its mission of conservation and sustainability."

The steam engines will be preserved and continue to operate in their new home, the Riverside & Great Northern Preservation Society in Wisconsin Dells.

The train has been at the Milwaukee County Zoo since 1958, and the steam engines were gifts from The Milwaukee Journal; they're named after then-Journal executives Harry Grant and Irwin Maier.