Cowboys and Cowgirls

[MOPAR10R/T]

G'm, Mariner. Thanks, and it sure was a great trip. My buddy had NEVER been on a train ride before, let alone one pulled by a Steam Engine!

Just one glich going to Bend. Then the train left Portland is runs along the Mighty Columbia river on the WA side until it crosses the river to the OR side. That's were the Deschutes river runs into the Columbia river. A great Fly fishing river for Salmon and Steelhead.
About 20 minutes out of Portland, an old passanger has a medical emergency. So the train stops at the next road crossing. They call for medivac service. So we now are running about 20/30 minutes late getting to the river crossing bridge.
We didn't know this, until the told us. We come to a stop, still on the WA side of the river.
The OHS act gave the right away to all freight trains, 24/7.
So there we sit, as a F/train on the OR side goes by the bridge.
Also turns out the track on the OR side is mostly a one-way track w/turn out sidings. To make the rest of a longgg story to Bend, short. We got into Bend 3 hours late and very tired by then.
Caught a shuttle bus to our motel room in Bend. Finally got dinner at 9pm. Garrrrrrrrrrrrrr...))
The trip back to Portland the next day was uneventful, thank GOD!
The tracks on the OR side to Bend, mostly run along the Deschutes river. Making for a very beautiful ride.
Some river rafters MOONED US...LOL...
People camping along the river waved like mad at us and that great Steam Engine.
All in all, one GREAT trip of a life time in this day and age.

Ron