Eagle Cap Excursions - Falls Colors Train
Embark on a journey through the dramatic landscape of northeast Oregon aboard the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. Operating from the Elgin Depot, this train offers scenic trips beside the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers, following a section of the historic Joseph Branch rail line. As you ride, you'll journey back in time, discovering untamed territory and enjoying the sights and sounds while the train travels through rugged cliffs and timbered ridges. Whether you're a rail enthusiast, a nature lover, a history buff, or simply looking for a fun and relaxing way to experience the region's spectacular beauty, a trip on the Eagle Cap Excursion Train is sure to please.
The Approach
From La Grande, Oregon, follow OR-82 E out of La Grande for 17.5 miles. Continue straight onto N 8th Ave. Continue onto Depot St and into the parking lot of the train station.
From Enterprise, Oregon, follow OR-82 W out of Enterprise for 44 miles. Turn left onto 7th Ave. Turn left onto Columbus St. The turn left on Depot St and into the parking lot of the train station.
Cost
Prices for Adults start at $65 per person for the shortest train ride, and can cost as much as $100 per person for the longest train ride. The longer rides can include a small meal and dessert.
Availability
Early May to Late October
The dates are determined as the beginning of each year
Reserve your ride at eaglecaptrainrides.com
Accessibility
Service animals only are allowed on the train.
Some ADA accommodations can be made. Contact them at 541.437.3652 or tickets@eaglecaptrainrides.com (Depot hours vary throughout the season).
Challenges
Walking around in the train cars. While the train is moving slowly, it is constantly rocking back and forth, making it somewhat difficult to keep one's balance.
History
The Eagle Cap Excursion Train operates on a section of the Wallowa Union Railroad, also known as the Joseph Branch. This line is 63 miles long and connects Elgin in Union County with Joseph in Wallowa County. The line follows the pathways of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers. The Joseph Branch enjoys a rich heritage as a descendant and extension of the original Oregon Railway & Navigation Company (OR & N). The OR & N's main trunk line through La Grande was completed in 1884. The Eagle Cap Excursion Train operates on a section of this historic Joseph Branch rail line.
The construction of the Joseph Branch occurred in stages:
By 1890, the first 23 miles of the line were laid as an extension of the OR & N to Elgin.
Due to the rugged country north of Elgin, it wasn't until 15 years later (starting around 1905) that the line was extended further.
With financial power from consolidation into systems like Union Pacific, the line was extended between 1905 and 1908.
The completion of the line to Wallowa was celebrated in 1908 with an excursion train from La Grande, gathering between 1500 and 2,000 people. A centennial anniversary celebration was held in Wallowa in September 2008.
By November 1908, a similar celebration welcomed the first passenger train to Joseph.
Historically, the Joseph Branch was used for various purposes:
Between World War I and the Great Depression, it was used extensively for hauling logs to local sawmills.
During the 1920s, there was a dedicated daily passenger train service on the line with advertised connections to Portland, Oregon, at La Grande.
Freight business has consistently included lumber and grain, with sawmills and grain elevators located along the line.
Livestock was also once moved over the line.
World War II, the widespread use of automobiles, and the development of state and national road systems impacted the use of the branch line.
From 1948 through April 1960, a daily, except Sunday, mixed train served the line, making a full round trip each day.
Embark
This adventure begins at the Elgin Train Depot. This depot was built in 2012 in a style that is reminiscent of the original historic depot. It has some historical train artifacts as well as some merchandise. When you buy your tickets, you can also purchase a wooden train whistle with each ticket for a few dollars more. You can buy these whistles at the train depot too, but at a slightly increased price. You will pick up your tickets on the day of your train ride inside the depot. Arrive early, since most of these trains are sold out, it can be hectic to find a parking spot and get a good seat on the train. The seating is first-come, first-served, so the earlier you arrive, the better options you will have. You will switch seats to the opposite side of the train on the return trip, so keep that in mind. Once you’re in your seats, you can chat with the volunteers who make these trips possible, or just relax until the train gets moving.
The Ride
Once the train starts moving, you can get up and wander around the different train cars. Open windows are at each end of the cars, where you can get great views of the area. The baggage car has a large open window to get fantastic views and take in the sights. This was a favorite spot for folks to congregate, so if you are trying to avoid crowds, maybe steer clear of the baggage car.
The train moves slowly up and down the mountain and is incredibly soothing, so long as you’re seated. When you do get up to move about the cabins, prepare to look inebriated. The train cars rock side to side more than you realize, in a chaotic rhythm that prevents you from truly finding your footing. You quickly learn to take steps that allow you to reach out and grab seat backs, walls, or anything else that will provide extra support. It becomes a fun little dance, especially watching others attempt it. If you like to people watch, the dining car, where chairs and tables are more distant, makes the experience more amusing.
Most of the ride, the train will track alongside the Grande Ronde River. Along this stretch of the Grande Ronde River, you will see butterflies, a variety of birds, and possibly some deer or even elk. We were lucky enough to see a bald eagle fly along the river as we returned to Elgin. The river itself is mostly shallow, at least in the fall, and gingerly makes its way through the mountain pass alongside the train tracks. Around 3/4 of the way to the return point, you will pass the Grande Ronde River Bridge. This is a fun fun little spot because of the bridge, but also because the train blows it’s whistle as it passes through this section to warn any cars intending to cross the bridge.
Typically, the train does not stop until the end of your ascent. However, our train stopped momentarily on the bridge traversing the convergence of the Grande Ronde and the Wallowa Rivers before continuing on to its final destination. The view of the convergence of these two rivers was gorgeous and serene. The rocky Grande Ronde tumbled into the deeper Wallowa River, forming a more turbulent and powerful Grande Ronde River.
If your seats were on the west side of the train during the ride up into the mountains, you can switch seats when the train reaches its destination and prepares for the return trip. On many rides you will also get your meal and dessert at this point. The train will usually begin heading back down the tracks while everyone eats. This is a great opportunity to access the baggage car or the open spaces at either end of the train cars for pictures or video without worrying about most other people. While they eat, you can get some great shots of the landscapes and the convergence of the two rivers. The food will be there for you when you get back.
Enjoy the ride back however you see fit. If you stayed in your seat for most of the ride up, maybe walk around now and enjoy the views from the other train cars. If you’ve been exploring already, then sit back and enjoy the views. I would recommend exploring if you are sitting on the west side of the train since most of the views are on the east side. Then, when your seat is on the east side, you can sit in a comfy seat and enjoy the ride and the views.
Disembark
As you roll into the Elgin Train Depot, enjoy the time as the volunteers prepare the train for the passengers to disembark. You can use the time to plan prep for your next destination. If the small meal wasn’t filling enough, you might be looking for a good place to eat. Look below for my recommendations. Disembarking is a slow process as the exits are narrow and can be difficult to navigate in some cases. Be patient and you’ll find your way soon enough. The parking lot is small and there will be a lot of cars to deal with, not just in the parking lot but also along Depot St. Take your time, watch for cars and people, be safe, and everything will go smoother than if you try and rush this process. Once you leave the parking lot and the connected area of Depot St, everything will open up and become easier. Enjoy the trip to your next destination.
Summary
This was a fantastic train ride. The fall colors were there, but don’t expect pictures like in the eastern US. You are still in the high deserts of the north/midwest. Prior to this ride, we had only experienced the short coastal ride between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi, Oregon. That steam train and the views provide a different experience than the Eagle Cap diesel engines and slightly more modern cars. These more modern train cars allow some additional comfort, which makes a 4-hour train ride possible. I’m not sure I could have sat for 4 hours on the Pacific Coast Train. We loved this ride and would like to try their longer 6-hour ride in the future. The volunteers are fantastic. Some are funny, some are a little awkward, but still try and interact with you to make your journey enjoyable. We loved it. They were so wonderful to everyone on the train, and the job was clearly a labor of love for every one of them. We thoroughly enjoyed this adventure and think you will do the same.
Places to Eat
Elgin, OR: Big Horns of Elgin has your typical saloon food. Burgers, steak, and fries adorn the menu with a few surprises making an appearance. The food was respectable, with good portion sizes.
Enterprise, OR: Sugar Time Bakery is a popular breakfast location. The breakfast burrito is the best one we have ever had. We talk about returning to Enterprise just to get another one.
La Grande, OR: Mam’ma Bear Burgers If you are really hungry, this is the place for you. Huge delicious burgers, fries that are seriously oversized, and fry sauce. Seriously, I asked for a medium fry for us to share and we were given what I can only describe as a platter of fries. Nothing medium about it. The burgers were amazing. No cap, bring your appetite.
