A fantrip on the Oregon Trunk approaches O.T. Junction and a return to the UP mainline on a flawless fall afternoon. This train operated between Portland and Bend through the Columbia River Gorge ... (more)
Beginning its southward turn down the Trunk, a presumably-empty BN grain struggles up the grade at Moody, topping less than 10 mph before accelerating past where I was standing.
The BNSF local based in Bend heads north over the impressive Crooked River bridge. When originally built in 1911 the Oregon Trunk was in such a hurry to make it into Bend that they started operati... (more)
A northbound Oregon Trunk grain empty is on the high bridge over Willow Creek, just outside Madras, and soon will begin the long descent to the Deschutes River down Trout Creek Canyon. It's desti... (more)
Just cresting the 13 mile 1.3% grade out of Bend, this southbound Oregon Trunk manifest is about to clear the lava field at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. There have been no eruptions h... (more)
A one-car BNSF local out of Bend crosses the spectacular Crooked River Bridge near Terrabonne, Oregon, on the afternoon of September 28, 2016. Powering the diminutive train is BNSF GP38-2 No. 2093... (more)
A southbound Oregon Trunk manifest is on the Crooked River Canyon bridge, three miles north of Terrebonne. The bridge, a scenic highlight of the Oregon Trunk, stands 300 feet above the canyon flo... (more)
A southbound manifest on the Oregon Trunk has followed the Deschutes River Canyon for 80 miles from the Columbia River to South Junction and has now turned up the 1.5% grade of Trout Creek Canyon ... (more)
Deep in the Deschutes River canyon, a northbound Oregon Trunk manifest is at an iconic photo location, Twin Bridges, a few miles north of Sherars Bridge. Two bridges are spliced by a tunnel as th... (more)
Rail geometry train approaching Moody.
Southbound train on the Oregon Trunk between Oakbrook and Maupin.
BNSF's Bend Local is just beginning its return trip to Bend as it soars high above Willow Creek on the massive steel trestle in Madras, Oregon on a warm summer evening.