The Wallowa Union Railroad Authority has announced the 2011 schedule for the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. The Eagle Cap is a scenic train that operates on a 63-mile-long railroad, linking the communities of Elgin, Wallowa, Enterprise and Joseph in northeast Oregon. Along the way, the track follows the Grande Ronde River downstream to its confluence with the Wallowa River. It then turns up the scenic Wallowa River for a few miles.
All 2011 excursions depart from the Elgin boarding site at 10 a.m. The three-and-one-half hour trip winds through remote areas that can't be seen from any road. Car hosts provide information about the history of the railroad and area and help passengers look for wildlife.
The track, historically known as the Joseph Branch, is owned by the governments of Wallowa and Union Counties and operated by the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority, which also operates rail freight service on the track.
Eagle Cap Train excursions are staffed by the professional train crew of the Wallowa Union Railroad and volunteers from an organization called the Friends of the Joseph Branch.
The season kicks off with a Mother's Day Brunch trip on May 8. Subsequent excursions take place on June 25, July 2, 16 and 30, August 13 and 27, September 10, 17 and 24, and October 1 and 15.
Reservations are strongly encouraged.
The Details
Eagle Cap Excursion Trainwww.eaglecaptrain
