A fine dinner aboard the Two Rivers! 

Sorry there haven’t been more posts since we arrived in Klamath Falls, but it has been quite the busy trip!

Sunday, September 29th we were up early and departed at 6:30 am. The dawn came as we headed south through Oregon into California. The high desert gave way to the pine forests as we headed down the Inside Gateway on the former Great Northern line. At Bieber, we crossed over onto the former Western Pacific. A stop at Keddie was made to pick up a new pilot crew for the trip down the Feather River Canyon.

The day was for the most part grey and overcast with occasional showers. The canyon did not disappoint as the scenery was spectacular and the river high in spots due to the hydroelectric dams. Departure from Oroville was with a new Amtrak crew and surprisingly on time.

Sacramento was our next stop for fueling and some passengers disembarking as well. Ahead was Fairfield-Susuin where the 28 car train and four locomotives was turned over to the pilots from the California Northern. By Midnight, we were safely parked here in Napa.

Our temporary home is a former Kaiser Steel facility that once made gas pipe. Along the Napa River, the weather has turned fine with temperatures topping out in the mid-Seventies.

Monday was a day to catch our collective breaths. Lots of little chores to catch up on all around. Fuel, water, ice and service of septic systems. It makes for a busy time.

Tuesday saw preparations for the first car party. 14 cars would see guests come to visit, including the Two Rivers. We we all ready, bright and shiny. This day also saw the first convention meetings of the Car Owners and Associate Members.

So… a busy time indeed! More to come tonight with the second car party for the other 14 cars. Today folks are out touring the wineries, riding the Napa Wine Train and exploring San Francisco. I’ll have more photos to share!

While today may have seen the shortest distance traveled, there was plenty to keep passengers busy. Tours of Crater Lake and Train Mountain provided great times for folks.

Arriving into Klamath Falls, the train spent an afternoon being serviced. Getting ready for the big trip tomorrow to Bieber, Keddie, Oroville, Sacramento, Fairfield and arrival into Napa tomorrow night. Great scenery awaits, especially the Feather River canyon.

Time to call it a night!

This morning we started a wonderful ride along the Columbia River from Pasco. Wide open spaces with plenty of sweeping curves to see the 28 car train in action.

Crossing the river at Wishram we headed up the Deschutes River canyon. Between the two rivers, plenty of folks out trying their best to reel in steelhead or perhaps even salmon. Railfans too were spotted in abundance along the way.

The line along the Oregon Trunk may not be a fast railroad but it is indeed a scenic line. Plenty of sharp curves made for great views of the long train snaking in and out.

The afternoon saw wet weather move in with grey skies as we came to Bend. Tomorrow it’s on to Crater Lake, Train Mountain and Chemault.

Today saw us depart from Seattle. All 28 cars with four locomotives left the Emerald City shortly after 8 am. A fine time as usual in town and short it always seems. Great walking, dining, shopping and other attractions.

The trip today saw us head south to Auburn and then make a big turn to the left headed for Stampede Pass, the Yakima River Canyon ( as seen above) and then on to our destination at Pasco for the night.

Check out this YouTube video by Bob Harbison as the consist is shown in full leaving Auburn. There were plenty of folks out and about taking photos and video of the train along the way. Even a helicopter from Channel 5 in Seattle overflew the train as we crossed Stampede Pass.

A treat along the way was the Northern Pacific Railway Museum seen as we passed through Toppenish with the Northern Pacific station as the focus. This Ford Railway Express truck was a real gem. Wish we had more time to spend there.

Dinner was the order of the day upon arrival at Pasco. Aboard the Two Rivers it was a meal of fresh Silver Salmon. Looking forward to the trip tomorrow down the Oregon Trunk to Bend, Oregon!

Seattle has been great!

A bit of the golden sunshine here and there with some rain, but generally very nice as weather goes. Plenty to see and do for all kinds of interests in and about the Emerald City. We even had a nice visit from the Seattle Center Monorail Bunny. Check out some views on their Facebook page.

Lots of work to get the train ready to go took place today. Kudos to everyone at Amtrak here in town for making everything happen.

A few views of some of the cars ahead of us so far as the train is assembled.

Seen above, is the business car Suits Me. Built By Pullman in 1928 as a office car for the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad. For 75 years, she was assigned to the president of this railroad.

The Berlin was built in 1956 was built in 1956 by Pullman for the Union Pacific as an 11 bedroom sleeping car called the Placid Lake. Recently it was part of the American European Express luxury train. In 2009 the current owners reconfigured the car and it is back in service.

The Dearing started life in 1925 as a 12 section 1 bedroom Pullman sleeping car named Thompson built for the Great Northern’s Oriental Limited train. In the early 1950’s she was sold to the Chicago Great Western Railway and was converted into a business car.

The Caritas was built in 1948 by Pullman for the St Louis San Francisco Railroad for service on trains such as the Texas Special as 4 bedroom 14 rooomette sleeping car.  In 1983, the car was converted with the addition of the open platform.

Plenty of cars still to come. Be sure to check back for more.