SP 4449 - Deschutes Steam Special

Deschutes Steam
September 2006

A scenic train trip down Columbia River Gorge and Deschutes Canyon

The Northwest Rail Museum put on a trip from Portland to Bend, Oregon via the Columbia River Gorge and Deschutes River Canyon. The 4449 steam locomotive led the entire way for 500+ miles, with food and amenities on board, and an overnight stay in Bend.

Since we're operating under the auspices of Amtrak, the train's consist required passenger cars that met Amtrak's electrical and mechanical requirements, thus leaving out the older vintage cars we normally operate with. The primary requirement being that the cars had to be equipped with 480-volts (HEP), thus needing an Amtrak locomotive behind the 4449 to provide the cars with electricity.

We had some Amtrak coaches, but the majority of the featured cars came from all over the United States, making the train up of an open-door baggage car, club, and dome lounges. This allowed passengers to choose a variety of classes to travel in, with the dome offering 360° views, club/lounge with comfortable seating (even a barber shop), and the coaches with a dinette and open-door viewing.

Once all the cars arrived to Union Station at random times, the consist was built, and the locomotive deadheaded from Brooklyn Yard to the Depot the evening before departure.

Part 1 - Portland to Moody

30 Photos

The steam special traverses down the Columbia River Gorge towards Wishram.

Part 2 - Moody to Bend

30 Photos

After the service stop, the train travels through the Deschutes River Canyon to Bend.

Part 3 - Bend to Moody

30 Photos

Everybody stayed overnight, and we headed back north towards the Columbia River.

Part 4 - Moody to Portland

30 Photos

On the last leg of our trip from Moody to Portland via Stevenson and Vancouver.

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