ELGIN, OREGON__The fall season is here, with the weather getting milder and fall colors just beginning to show in the river canyons. The Eagle Cap Excursion Train volunteer car hosts and engineers anticipate a relaxed autumn, with opportunities for learning, along with great sightseeing.
Saturday, September 8, is what we have been calling the Mystery Tour Train Ride. Many travelers have taken part in a “Mystery Tour,” in which the destination is unknown when the group tour departs its home base, only to be revealed as the tour progresses. In this case, we only go where the track takes us! But, the theme, meal and additional entertainment for this ride will come as a surprise to passengers who like a little bit of suspense in their day. Rest assured, the day includes beautiful scenery and a great lunch!
During the Fall Photo Run, Saturday, September 15, Eric W. Valentine, a La Grande photographer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, conducts a short workshop in the dining car for those who want to take memorable photos. Participants in the workshop will have the first of two run-bys to practice what they have learned. The train ride departs at 10 a.m. for the 5.5 hour ride.
The Wine & Cheese Train takes place Saturday, September 29. This scenic train ride offers exceptional fall colors and provides a wonderful time to relax and unwind. Passengers taste a variety of wines from Copper Belt Winery, poured by the wine maker, and Umapine Creamery serves a sampling of their artisan cheese. A light meal of soup, fruit and bread is served along with the wine and cheese. The ride departs from Elgin at 3 p.m. for an early evening ride, so bring a jacket in case the evening mountain air feels chilly. Expect to return to the depot by 7 p.m. (Not recommended nor priced for riders under 21.)
More of the popular train robberies are offered Saturday, October 6 and Saturday, October 13. The Autumn Train Robbery features the notorious Gold Rush Bandits, who hide out in the woods and wait for the train to roll into their territory! Mounted on horses, bandits flag down the train and climb on board. The train ride departs from Elgin Depot at 10 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m.
Our last train ride of 2018 takes place Saturday, October 20. The Two Rivers End of Season Bounty follows the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers as they tumble their courses and join together at Rondowa. We will depart in the afternoon so passengers can catch the end of the fall colors, with the golden Tamarack trees a highlight. They will dine on wonderful locally grown food and craft beverages. This ride departs from Elgin Depot at 2 p.m. and returns at about 6 p.m. (Not recommended nor priced for riders under 21.)
Get all of the meal details and further information and book your reservations by visiting www.eaglecaptrainrides.com. Or, if you prefer to talk to a travel agent, call Alegre Travel, 800.323.7330, and ask for Kori.
