News
Click here to also see Eagle Cap Train news articles at the Union County Tourism blog.
Excursion Train 2010 Schedule Announced
ELGIN, OREGON__The Wallowa Union Railroad Authority has announced the 2010 schedule for the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. The season has fewer trips this year due to concerns about the cost of doing business and the continuing recession. Passengers can be assured of the same beautiful scenery and friendly atmosphere experienced in past years.
All excursions during the summer season board at Elgin at 10 a.m. The train includes sections of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers, traveling through remote canyons that can't be seen from any road. Timbered ridges tower above and rugged basalt cliffs hug the track. Wildlife is plentiful throughout the trip.
The Eagle Cap Excursion Train is owned and operated by Wallowa Union Railroad (WURR) on a stretch of the historic "Joseph Branch." WURR is assisted by the Friends of the Joseph Branch, a non-profit organization that preserves and presents the history and enjoyment of the century-old rail line in Wallowa and Union Counties.
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Please click "Trip Options" above to see what is in store for the season. If you are looking for an exciting gift idea, consider a gift certificate to the excursion train for your friends and family members. Let them choose the date and excursion that fits their interests and schedule. Call 1.800.323.7330 to purchase.
OTHER FRIENDS NEWS
The Friends of the Joseph Branch are busy planning and raising funds to fix up the vintage caboose and Budd car. If you would like to get involved and help, please contact the Friends president at visitlg@eoni.com. We are also planning our annual meeting for this November. Watch this page for an update when the date is set and plans are finalized.
TRANSPORTATION FROM LA GRANDE:
Need transportation from La Grande to the train at Elgin? A Community Connections bus is available from the La Grande Senior Center on the corner of Albany Street and Cove Avenue, Saturdays at 9 a.m., getting to Elgin in time to board the train for its 10 a.m. departure. The bus ride is only $2.50 (the driver will collect). You must make reservations for your train ride and the bus trip by the prior Friday afternoon - Call Alegre Travel, 800.323.7330 or 541.963.9000. The bus won't run on Saturday if they have no reservations by 4 p.m. Friday afternoon.
PET SITTING AVAILABLE:
For those of you bringing your dog or cat, we now have a qualified pet sitter in the Elgin area. Her name is Holly Krause and her phone number is 541-786-4542. The cost is $10 per trip, per pet. If you plan to ride the train please call in advance to reserve a spot for your pet.
CABOOSE:
The Friends of the Joseph Branch have acquired an antique wooden caboose. The group will work with its partners to fix the caboose up and get it ready for use. Passengers will be able to reserve the entire caboose for parties or pay a little extra to ride in the caboose on scheduled excursions. Donations for repairing the caboose are welcome. If you would like to help, want to donate to the project please contact a Friend's board member.
BOARDING PLATFORM:
Our thanks to the Elgin Edge group for building the boarding platform in Elgin. Materials were furnished by WURA and the Edge group organized the project and built the platform.