4
GRAB BAG
APRIL 13�20, 2022
AN ASSORTMENT OF
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Eagle Cap Excursion Train is ready to roll again
Go! staff
car to car; sanitizing surfaces
between rides; and face mask
requirements for volunteer car
hosts and passengers, except
when eating or drinking. These
rules may change as the season
progresses. Passengers with
reservations will receive updated
information prior to their ride.
A boxed lunch and beverages
are included in the ticket price
for most trips. Ten Depot Street,
a La Grande restaurant, prepares
the lunches for most trips, with
Island City Market & Deli catering
some of the themed rides.
E
LGIN — The Eagle Cap Ex-
cursion Train has announced
its 2022 season, which begins
a bit earlier this year with a mid-
week ride on Wednesday, May 4.
“Early May is such a beautiful
time of year,” said Ed Spaulding,
the organization’s president. “We
want to off er another chance
for people to enjoy the spring
scenery along the rivers.”
He said the early trip is a drill
to ensure volunteers, equipment
and the track are ready for the
busy season ahead.
Following two disrupted sea-
sons, the 2022 schedule off ers
20 train rides from early May
through October. Included are
two robberies, conducted by the
High Country Bandits; a spe-
cial Father’s Day outdoor lunch
beside the river; and a couple
short rides.
While most trips are on Satur-
days mornings, there are some
that depart in the afternoon to
take advantage of evening light,
and there are a few mid-week
FRIENDS OF THE
JOSEPH BRANCH
Janet Dodson/Contributed photo
The Eagle Cap Excursion Train’s season begins May 4.
trips. A ride with a Bavarian
theme is on the schedule for
Wednesday, Sept. 21, to coin-
cide with Oregon’s Alpenfest in
Joseph. Passengers can expect
German fare on the menu, ac-
cordion music and costumed
representatives from Alpenfest.
The round trips depart from
the Elgin Depot. Descriptions
and the schedule are posted on
the website and reservations
can be made through the online
booking service at www.eagle-
captrainrides.com or by calling
the Elgin Depot, 541-437-3652.
For assistance from the reser-
vations manager, leave a voice
message or send an email to
weishaar73@gmail.com.
Because the train is under
the category of “transportation
conveyance,” it must adhere to
CDC restrictions. Adjustments
to this year’s operations include
fewer passengers and more
elbow room; no moving from
The all-volunteer crew of cer-
tifi ed engineers, conductors and
car hosts are members of the
Friends of the Joseph Branch,
the nonprofi t that manages the
Excursion Train on the Wallowa
Union Railroad.
To become a member of the
Friends or learn about volunteer
opportunities, contact Peggy
Weishaar at 541-786-0094 or
weishaar73@gmail.com.