On Sunday, May 13, the annual Mother’s Day Brunch Train leaves the depot at 10 a.m., with the promise of a wonderful brunch by Chuckwagon Sisters of Joseph. There will be a variety of breakfast and lunch entrées, salads, fruit and pastries. Mothers receive a corsage to take home and memories of the day to keep for a lifetime.

Ed Spaulding, volunteer engineer and President of the Friends of the Joseph Branch, the non-profit organization that manages the excursion train, says the 2018 season will be a busy one for the volunteer car hosts and crew.

“We have 19 trips scheduled, including the new Seeking Bigfoot Train, happening Saturday, July 28,” Spaulding said.  “There is an increasing amount of interest in the Bigfoot Legend. People are fascinated by stories that go back centuries, about a giant primate in the Blue Mountains.” Spaulding said the ride will be fun as well as enlightening. “We’ll be announcing our guest expert within a few weeks.”

The Wine & Chocolates Train, an evening ride on June 2, features a tasting of wines from Echo Ridge Cellars of Echo, paired with chocolates from Arrowhead Chocolates of Joseph. September 29, the focus shifts to wine and cheese, with Copper Belt Winery of Baker City and Umapine Creamery, located near Milton-Freewater, again serving samples of their specialties.

Train robberies always fill the train with passengers who love the added fun and excitement provided by bandits on horseback, who board the train and leave with glittering gold.  The Gold Rush Bandits have nefarious plans for June 16 & 17, October 6 and October 13. Also returning in the fall is a train ride designed with photographers in mind. With a brief workshop in one car, led by respected photographer Eric Valentine, this trip makes special stops to let photographers off the train for run-bys, giving them excellent views of the train as it passes. This is a fun trip for all passengers, not just photographers.

Other highlights of the season are Father’s Day Lunch, the I Love America! Train, and many opportunities to simply relax, enjoy the scenery and visit with fellow passengers who come from around the world. Read the trip descriptions and get your tickets online at www.eaglecaptrainrides.com, or call Alegre Travel, 800.323.7330, where agents can also help you with lodging and other vacation planning.
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The Mother’s Day Brunch Train departs at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 11, from the Elgin Depot. This ride offers a rare chance to see the canyon scenery in the vibrant colors of spring.

Brunch is served during the 3.5 hour ride beside the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers. The meal includes a selection of breakfast and lunch entrees, pastries, fruit and beverages. Passengers can relax in their seats or move about the train. Car hosts answer questions and encourage conversation among passengers.

Tickets are available through Alegre Travel, the excursion train booking agency, train@alegretravel.com or 800.323.7330. Agents can also, upon request, book motel rooms and offer advice on other activities and attractions in the area.

“This is one of our most popular trips of the season” said Peggy Weishaar of Alegre Travel. “We always sell out, so don’t wait to reserve your seats.” Weishaar noted the train robberies are also very well received, as are the Fall Foliage trips in October. “We are offering more variety this season, so that is getting lots of attention from a wide range of ages and interests.”

The historic Joseph Branch, now known as the Wallowa Union Railroad, was rescued from salvage in 2003 when the Wallowa and Union county governments formed the Wallowa Union Rail Authority and purchased railroad from Elgin to Joseph in Oregon’s northeast corner. Volunteers with the Friends of the Joseph Branch, non-profit organization, assist the rail authority with managing the excursion business and the depot, operating the train, hosting passengers, restoring the rail cars and preserving the history of the railroad. See the web site, www.eaglecaptrainrides.com for information about the 2014 schedule and how to volunteer.