ELGN, OREGON__The Friends of the Joseph Branch, the nonprofit organization operating the Eagle Cap Excursion Train, has announced their schedule for the coming season. Reservations are available beginning this week through our online booking service or by contacting the ticket agent (see below). All rides depart from and return to the train depot in Elgin, Oregon, just 20 north of La Grande on OR Highway 82. The depot has plenty of parking, public restrooms, a gift shop and railroad history artifacts and photos.

Following tradition, the season begins with the popular Mother’s Day Brunch, Sunday, May 10. There is a total of 22 rides scattered from May offered through October. The beautiful riverside scenery always receives top ranking from passengers, but great food and friendly car hosts add to the experience. This season four robberies, enacted by the High Country Outlaws, provide extra excitement. Just for fun, Bigfoot will make an appearance to watchful passengers May 30 and August 1.

A couple of shorter rides are on the schedule for vacationing families who want to pack a lot into their day. On the other hand, the “Minam Bonus” rides, traveling from Elgin to Minam and back, provides longer trips for genuine railfans. Bonus rides include more miles along the Wild & Scenic Wallowa River and an outdoor lunch at the Minam Store & Food Truck. See the schedule and trip descriptions at www.eaglecaptrainrides.com/ridethetrain

The train follows the banks of the Grande Ronde River into mostly roadless country, offering views of timbered ridges, rippling water and rugged basalt cliffs – scenery that can’t be viewed from the highway. Most trips go to Rondowa, where the river is joined by the Wallowa River, then follow the Wallowa for varying distances. The train then reverses direction for the trip back to Elgin. Most rides include lunch, served during the trip.

The all-volunteer crew includes certified engineers and conductors, and car hosts trained in customer service. All are members of the Friends of the Joseph Branch.

Proceeds from the past few successful seasons allowed the Friends of the Joseph Branch to contribute a total of $100,000 toward the repair of two important railroad bridges along the Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers. An additional $2,000 came from members of the Friends organization who are dedicated to keeping the railroad up to FRA standards and serving passengers.

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.

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!