Lets pretend I've never heard of Oregon. I'm taking a trip up there next month but havn't decided where to go yet. All locations are an option and open. Please tell me where you'd recommend going and what I'd see there. Thanks guys.
John, I've only lived here six years and am a steam nut--lots of that (relatively speaking). Where do you intend to visit for purposes other than railfanning? There are a lot of neat things here that I do not fan but am aware of. For instance, if you are entering Oregon on I-5, when you get to Medford, there are SEMAPHORES to be found on the CORP (Central Oregon &Pacific). The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most photogenic areas in the world, with BNSF running on the north (WA) side and UP running on the south (OR) side. Portland has Brooklyn Yard and Albina.
Jim, I have no other plans up there except railfanning. Well, except maybe playing a couple disc golf courses. I'm just trying to get some ideas of where to go. I really like to shoot just loco roster shots and love shortlines. Also like to take pics of whatever is in parks and on display elswhere. Was thinkin about staying a couple nights in Albany and taking day trips outa there to check out different places, but anythings is possible. Would like to maximize the number of locos I can shoot in a week. Road doesn't matter. [ 13 April 2002, 03:51: Message edited by: John Barnhill ]
John, geez I wish you could get in touch with some of the regular (diesel) railfans around here as there are a lot. If you are going to Albany, right next to the Amtrak station is the general office for Portland & Western/Willamette & Pacific short line. Their engines are orange and yellow. Supposedly they are fan-friendly, and if you go in and identify yourself they will help you. On the other hand, if you are driving up the coast, there are park engines in Coos Bay or North Bend, and lots of lighthouses. The coast is beautiful and very photogenic. I guess I sound like a chamber of commerce guy, eh? I will look up some URLs and attach them to another reply.
John...if you go to Portland check out Albina Yard (UP) You can park in employee Parking and check out the engine facility. Also if you can Stay at the RED LION INN....it is in Downtown Portland (ask for River view..the UP is between the hotel and river)....I will see what location in Portland and let you know.in the mean time the number is 1-800-RED-LION They joined a larger chain but they still have the same number....here is the website for this Hotel... red lion
Links to CORP Central Oregon and Pacific and P&W Portland and Western [ 13 April 2002, 05:26: Message edited by: fitz ]
Also if you do stay in portland or anywhere in that area check out the tillimookbay railway.....Mmm have you ever heard of the cow locomotive? They painted a GP9 like a Holstien !! No joke my friend (CTHIPPO) even built a model of it....POTB 101 the cow unit.
Thanks for your replies guys. I'd absolutely love to go as far as Portland and also check out the POTB but its looking like the plan isn't going to take me that far north. Depending on whether I'm there 3 or 4 days, I'll be coming up the coast and working inland to either Medford or Eugene for the first night. Then I'll head up to either Albany or even Salem for the next day or two. Then back down through Eugene and over to KFalls and back to CA. I will definatey be hitting the W&P/P&W as well as the CORP. Anyone know about the traffic levels in the Willamette Valley on the UP and BNSF lines?? Was wondering how many trains travel through the area in a day and any good photo spots. Also which line is ran by the CFNR & ARZC sister road (can't think of the name)? Again thanks for your help.
I have seen that GP9 painted like a cow and it is really something to see. Watch you speed going through Salem. The cops will pass up a Oregon car going 80 to nail a California car going 10 miles over the 55 speed limit. I know. I got caught and have seen several California cars pulled over during my trips north [ 14 April 2002, 14:35: Message edited by: Telegrapher ]
John .. don't forget to stop by the Yreka Western and say hello We are located on I-5 23 miles south of the Oregon-California border. Click on the link below and there's a printable map available how to find us. Also, if you come up or return via I-5, you can visit the old railroad town of Dunsmuir, which is about 45 miles south of Yreka.
That train layout at Yreka is Ho. The wife and I stopped there last year and it is quite a layout. It is in a large building on the east side of highway 5. I even baught a n gauge box car that has the Yreka logo on the side.
They are still adding to the layout! I'm waiting for them to start a little narrow gauge so that I can run some of my equipment too.
Benny, go here and see the truth: Port of Tillamook Bay Bill and Dick, where is the model RR in Yreka? At first I thought Dick was pulling your chain about the Yreka and Western. Bill, that 1964 shot on another forum is great. I can't quite make out the numbers, was that 18 and19 or 18 and 25?
Well its looking like the first night will be spent in Orland, Ca. ( My buddy Jeff is going with me but he's gotta run the local Orland demolition derby first.) Then I'll be going through Redding out to the coast so I can get all the stuff out in Eureka and Arcata. From there I'm thinking up the coast to Coos Bay/North Bend and in to Eugene. Then up to Albany for the next couple days. On the way back, Yreka and Dunsmuir as well as Weed, Black Butte, Mt. Shasta City, and McCloud are all definate stops. Looks like the cow will have to be on another trip.
Fitz, The HO gauge railroad is located in the warehouse at the Yreka Western RR's depot. It was originally set up to be modular based upon Ntrac standards, until they found a permanent home at the YWRR. The photo: #18 is hooked up to the train with #19 coming around it to hook up on the lead. This was the same double header that #18 blew out its' cylinder head and put it out of service for 34 years. The McCloud RR bought her in 2000 and restored her for service and she's now running special excursions there.
Benny now you see it.......Chris and I went out to see it two years ago..I didn't believe it either but it was therre and it was a butte
Moooooooo Here she is, from Clayton and I'd trip a few years ago. I had this posted some time back in another forum, but since I'm really bad about cleaning out my webserver it's still up forthe world to see. As far as a AZCA family road in Oregon, I'm not aware of one, but you might be thinking of the Puget Sound and Pacific in Washington. It runs through Chelais to Bremerton.
