For most trips, the Eagle Cap Excursion Train departs at 10 a.m. from the Elgin Depot and returns around 2 p.m. For those trips, lunch is served on the train.

Rides this late-summer and fall season include train robberies, a photo run to capture the autumn colors, a Wine & Cheese Train and Brews & Brats. See the trip descriptions for details and the schedule.

To reserve your seat and ensure your lunch is on the train, make your reservations by 4 p.m., the Friday afternoon prior to the trip you want to take. The train can often handle some last-minute walk-on passengers, subject to seat availability. Those waiting to purchase tickets at the depot Saturday morning should arrive at the depot by 9 a.m. and should be aware some trains sell out.

Ticket prices are:  youth, 3 to 16 = $35 / adults = $70 / seniors 60+ = $65. Lunch is prepared by Ten Depot Street of La Grande and included in the ticket price. For train tickets and details on the excursions go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com. Or, if you prefer to talk with an agent or want lodging options, contact Alegre Travel, 1.800.323.7330 or travel@alegretravel.com.

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 the highly scenic railroad connecting Elgin with the Wallowa Valley. Volunteers with the Friends of the Joseph Branch, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, operate the train and depot, host passengers, renovate the passenger cars and preserve the history of the railroad.

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Maxville Gathering Has Logging Heritage Theme

WALLOWA, OR. – The Maxville Gathering celebrates the logging tradition of Wallowa County Saturday, June 28, at the Nez Perce Homeland Project grounds outside of Wallowa. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a delightful mix of entertainment, historical information about logging in the area and the Nez Perce, booths selling homespun products and old-fashioned activities. Food options include smoked pork and chicken and grilled Columbia River salmon. The public is encouraged to bring fruit, salads ad desserts to share. There will be mule tours and a fly-over.

Maxville was a logging camp and villiage in the 1920s and ’30s, located 15 miles north of Wallowa, where white and black loggers (many brought in from the South) worked together. The villiage was complete with schools and baseball fields. The annual Maxville Gathering is an opportunity for the community to commemorate the county’s logging culture and history and its incorporation of a black community in the early 20th century. For more information on the unique community and the project to preserve its history, visit www.maxvilleheritage.org.

SolWest Fair

LA GRANDE, OR__Having outgrown its former location in Grant County, the SolWest Fair has moved to La Grande and will be held at the Union County Fairgrounds, June 27-29. The event’s keynote speaker is Cylvia Hayes, Oregon’s First Lady and CEO of 3EStrategies, a clean economy consulting firm. 50 workshops are available, with themes that include Solar, Homesteading, Hydropower, Wind Energy, Passive Solar Buildings, Cart Goats and HAM Radio. Live music is performed by Red Hot & Bue Jazz, Bitteroot, Bag of Hammers, and Homemade Jam. Enjoy local food, kids programs and regional beer. The event is presented by Oregon Rural Action. For more information, go to www.solwest.org, or contact organizers at 541.975.2411 or solwest@oregonrural.com.

Outdoor Club for Kids at Trail Center

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is launching the 2014 season of “Thursday Outdoor Club for Kids” starting June 26. A special presentation each Thursday afternoon through August 7th introduces youngsters to different topics and skills about the great outdoors.

All sessions are from 1:30 to 3:00 pm and include an outdoor activity, light snacks and lemonade. Sessions are aimed at ages 8-12. Cost is $2 per person to cover costs of materials. Parents and guardians are welcomed to attend with youngsters.

Resource specialists and guest presenters will provide expert guidance for the following topics:  June 26, “Pioneer Days”; July 3, “Gold!”; July 10, “The Pollinator”; July 17, “Leave No Trace”; July 24, “Here Comes the Sun”; July 31, “Rock-o-Rama”; August 7, “Survival & Orienteering.”

Call 541.523.1843 or 541.523.1852 for more information or to pre-register. Enrollment is limited.

The Trail Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon, on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is currently open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $8; for seniors it’s $4.50; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are accepted. Call 541.523.1843 for updates on programs and events. For more information about the Trail Center visit oregontrail.blm.gov.

Elgin Stampeders Rob The Train

ELGIN, OR__Passengers on the Eagle Cap Excursion Train this Saturday, June 28, should hide their valuables and keep their camera ready. The notorious Elgin Stampeders Gang plans to rob the train on horseback while it winds its way along the beautiful Grande Ronde River. Go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com for more information or see the blog on this website.

ELGIN, OREGON__It’s rumored train robbers will strike the Eagle Cap Excursion Train Saturday, June 28. Passengers are warned to leave their valuables at home but bring their camera and a sense of adventure on the ride.

It happens every year, about this time. Bandits stop the train and reinforcements ride out of the woods to board somewhere in the canyon of the Grande Ronde River near Elgin. It’s all for fun and excitement and the costumed characters of the old west follow a loose story line when entertaining the passengers.

The robbery is performed by the Elgin Stampeders, the organization responsible for putting on the annual Elgin Stampede PRCA Rodeo in mid-July. They use the annual train robbery to promote the rodeo, and to show off their horsemanship skills.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train departs the Elgin Depot at 10 a.m. and returns around 2 p.m. Passengers have plenty of time for relaxation, visiting and enjoying the view as they travel down the Grande Ronde River and a few miles up the Wallowa River. Onm ost trips, lunch is served on the train after a brief stop along the river to let passengers stretch their legs while the crew prepares for the return trip to Elgin. Ticket prices for the train robbery are: youth, 3 to 16 = $35 / adults = $70 / seniors 60+ = $65. Lunch is prepared by Ten Depot Street and included in the ticket price.

For train tickets, details on the excursions and lodging options, contact Alegre Travel, 1.800.323.7330 or train@alegretravel.com. When you purchase your tickets you will be asked to choose a sandwich, salad or vegetarian lunch, all of which include a dessert and beverage.

The scenic train season continues through mid-October. The train departs from Elgin on selected Thursdays and Saturdays, and travels through remote river canyons that can’t be seen from any road. Towering ridges, basalt cliffs, deep green forests and sparkling water are the scenic highlights. Most excursions travel 38 miles, round trip, but there are a few shorter trips available, as well. Go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com for the full schedule, trip descriptions and additional information about the train and surrounding attractions. Or look for the Eagle Cap Excursion Train on Facebook.

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 the highly scenic 63 miles of railroad between Elgin and Joseph. Passenger excursions have been offered on sections of the line since 2004. Volunteers with the Friends of the Joseph Branch, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, operate the train, host passengers, restore the passenger cars and preserve the history of the railroad.

Some trips this season have been designed with vacationing families in mind. Others offer lively entertainment, while still others are focused on the amazing fall foliage colors. Go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com and select Ride The Train to find out more information.