Our 2025 excursion season ended with the train ride on October 25. I heard the fall colors were especially amazing for the last two rides! Our route beside the rivers is really colorful in the fall, making it a wonderful time of year for a train ride. This photo is by Bill Webb, a volunteer crew member.

We send a special thank you to our passengers, volunteers and business partners for making this past season a winner on all counts. Without everyone playing their special role, we wouldn’t be able to offer this fun experience.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train is managed and operated by a non-profit organization called the Friends of the Joseph Branch. We work under an arrangement with the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority (WURA), the governing body of the Wallowa Union Railroad. The historic railroad is owned by a partnership of Wallowa and Union Counties. Net revenue from the excursions business is invested back into the railroad’s maintenance and improvements. We have been very fortunate to contribute a total of $100,000 for this purpose in 2025. The funds are critical to keeping the track and bridges up to FRA standards so we can continue to deliver safe and enjoyable rides.

The Friends organization and its leaders are proud of our accomplishments in providing an exceptional way for our passengers to enjoy the scenery and keeping the vital transportation infrastructure in place and usable for the two counties. We invite you to become a member or renew a membership in the Friends of the Joseph Branch, to keep informed of our work and activities and to support the historic rail line in Oregon’s Northeast corner.

Thank you! We are busy planning the 2026 season and will announce the schedule in late January. Our typical season is Mother’s Day through October. We look forward to rolling again next May! See you then!