September 16-17, 2006 The Northwest Rail Museum will be operating the "Deschutes Steam Special," a two-day rail excursion between Portland and Bend using Portland's famous steam locomotive #4449. This scenic trip is one of the top rail excursions in the Pacific Northwest and traveling behind a large steam engine definitely adds to the excitement. Due to changing business and economic conditions, this has also become a rare opportunity, and may be the only public excursion behind #4449 in 2006 and one of the few mainline steam excursions in the west this year. Our train travels up the Columbia River to Wishram, Washington, crosses the Columbia River and then heads south following the Deschutes River to an overnight stay in Bend. Passengers will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge and the rugged Deschutes River Canyon. The canyon walls tower over 2,000 feet above the tracks and provide a travel experience not accessible by automobile. All tickets include train transportation, continental breakfast and lunch each day, shuttle buses to selected hotels in Bend and overnight hotel accommodations. (Snacks and souvenirs will also be available for purchase on board the train.) Ticket Prices: (Prices shown are per person double occupancy; for a single hotel room please add $50 to the prices listed below. Children under 2 years of age who do not require a seat may travel free.) Coach: $675 (regular coach style seating) Club: $775 (relaxed seating in a lounge area) Dome: $875 (seating in a dome car - all windows, upper level, spectacular view) Handicapped Seating: we regret that the age of the equipment and the track area in Bend do not allow for handicapped accessibility. Passengers must be able to climb several steep steps in a rocky area to board the train, and wheelchair space is not available on board. The "Deschutes Steam Special" is sponsored by the Northwest Rail Museum and is being operated through Amtrak with the cooperation of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad. NO ticketing is available through anyone but the Northwest Rail Museum. Please do not call Amtrak - they will not have information. Due to the expense of operation, this trip will be sold only as a 2-day round trip from Portland to Bend. Passengers may board and detrain in Vancouver, Washington, at their own discretion, but there is no change in ticket price. All tickets are non-refundable. If you have concerns, we suggest you consider purchasing travel insurance through an insurance agency, travel agent, or online company. Although it is highly unlikely, we do reserve the right to make emergency equipment, scheduling or hotel changes without notice when such changes are beyond our control. Railroad regulations require that no alcohol, drugs, smoking, fireworks, weapons, animals, or other items that could pose a safety hazard be brought on board. Click here to order
And for a preview, come to the big Car show in Sherwood this coming Saturday. I'll sell you a 4449 or ORHF tee shirt. Here's a shot from last year:
Hmm, I'm gonna have to talk with the wife. She's planning on spending a few months back in Portland to finish up some schooling. It's a little pricey for both of us, but it sure would be a good vacation for us if she's up there then.
YoHo, I rode the trip over the same route in 2002, and it is a great experience. My wife quit railfanning with me a few years before that, so I booked a single dome reservation. Wow, I had never ridden in a dome car, but I gotta tell you, that is the way to go. I know you lived in the northwest so you know how beautiful the trip up through the Columbia River gorge is. Once you cross over the river and start down through the Deschutes River canyon, the scenery changes but is also beautiful. Throw in the fact that you have overnight accomodations in Bend and get all of your meals served while on the train, and it starts to look pretty reasonable. Not to mention, as the Visa commercials go, the PRICELESS experience of meeting railfans who you have "talked to" on the net but not yet met. I will never forget the 2002 trip. It was great and this one will also be great. The people who maintain and operate the 4449 are totally dedicated to steam preservation and running unforgettable trips. :teeth: No, I am not employed by them, I just think they are great.
