A southbound ballast train crests the grade at Lava Butte Summit, 11 miles south of Bend, OR.
Climbing the 1.5% grade from South Junction to Madras with just "some" help from the assisting Amtrak P42.
Just starting it's return trip from Bend to Portland, OR. Freezing a.m. temps resulted in lots of steam!
About to crest the summit of Providence Hill on the BNSF's Lakeside Sub. between Spokane and Pasco, WA.
The first of 16 trains we would catch that day while camped track (and river) side at Towal, WA.
A westbound intermodal train rolls through Towal, WA, as temperatures approach 100 degrees and speed restrictions take effect.
An eastbound manifest rolls out of a rock cut at Maryhill, WA, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees.
A westbound loaded grain train accelerates out of the siding at Maryhill, WA, on a "pleasant" morning that would end up passing 100 degrees. I admit this is a "cheater" going-away shot, these are ... (more)
An eastbound mixed vehicle and intermodal train rounds the S-curves just west of Maryhill, WA, on a "pleasant" morning that would end passing 100 degrees and result in us cooling off in that beaut... (more)
On this morning we had some fresh snowfall and sunlight. I was happy to see the snow hadn't melted off the trees yet. We were then blessed with two southbounds within 20 minutes after our arrival.
Rounding the S-curves along the Columbia River just west of Maryhill on BNSF's Fallbridge Subdivision.
The abbreviated (Seattle to Havre, MT, with no Portland section) eastbound Empire Builder leaves the Rocky Mountains behind and heads for the plains of central and eastern Montana.
Westbound grainer rolls out of the siding at North Dalles.
Westbound manifest rolls through Avery, WA, just before sunset.
