On Friday, 30 August 2019 during our five-night stay at Barview Jetty County Campground, we decamped and drove north to the town of Rockaway Beach, Oregon. Margaret had purchased two tickets online for us to take a train ride south the handful of miles to the town of Garibaldi and back to Rockaway Beach aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR). The OCSR is a steam-powered heritage railroad and nonprofit organization run by volunteers. This route is its regular summer excursion. They have other seasonal excursions, with more being added.
We boarded the train at 12:30 for a 1:00 departure. The entire trip took about 1-1/2 hours, including the half-hour layover in Garibaldi. It was hauled by the McCloud River Railroad #25 (steam-engine) on this route down the old Southern Pacific Railroad tracks (which run parallel to U.S. Highway 101 on its west side, the Oregon Coast Highway) now belonging to the OCSR. I feel I should mention that on the trip south, it didn't actually "haul" the train cars since it backed the four cars south to Garibaldi before "hauling" us back north. The entire train consisted of the engine, one uncovered open-air car, the covered open-air car we were in, an enclosed car, and the caboose, where passengers enter and are given their printed tickets.
The weather was a cloudy 74°F; and although a bit rough and loud ("clanky sounds"), we passengers all seemed to enjoy ourselves. Welcome aboard—virtually—on the OCSR Coastal Excursion!
The McCloud River Railroad #25 steam engine at the Rockaway Beach depot. Photo by Margaret.
Once the train returned to the depot in Rockaway Beach, we stopped in a couple of shops for goodies before joining Peaches in the Roadtrek and heading back to camp. Neither Margaret nor I have had much (me, any) railroad experience; but we have some "railroad men" in our family tree, and riding this historical train had me thinking about them and their lives on the rails.
We boarded the train at 12:30 for a 1:00 departure. The entire trip took about 1-1/2 hours, including the half-hour layover in Garibaldi. It was hauled by the McCloud River Railroad #25 (steam-engine) on this route down the old Southern Pacific Railroad tracks (which run parallel to U.S. Highway 101 on its west side, the Oregon Coast Highway) now belonging to the OCSR. I feel I should mention that on the trip south, it didn't actually "haul" the train cars since it backed the four cars south to Garibaldi before "hauling" us back north. The entire train consisted of the engine, one uncovered open-air car, the covered open-air car we were in, an enclosed car, and the caboose, where passengers enter and are given their printed tickets.
The weather was a cloudy 74°F; and although a bit rough and loud ("clanky sounds"), we passengers all seemed to enjoy ourselves. Welcome aboard—virtually—on the OCSR Coastal Excursion!
The train schedule at the Rockaway Beach depot. Photo by Margaret.
My ticket to ride the OCSR! Photos by Virginia.
Smith Lake in Rockaway Beach. Photo by Margaret.
Tillamook Bay in Rockaway Beach. Photo by Virginia.
Tillamook Bay in Rockaway Beach. Photo by Virginia.
Tillamook Bay in Rockaway Beach. Photo by Margaret.
Tillamook Bay in Garibaldi. Photo by Margaret.
Garibaldi Northwest Hardwoods Sawmill. Photo by Virginia.
Historic restoration project cars stored at the OCSR Garibaldi Depot. Photo by Margaret.
The McCloud River Railroad #25 steam engine and first passenger car at the OCSR Garibaldi Depot. Photo by Margaret.
A restoration project open-air passenger car stored at the OCSR Garibaldi Depot. Photo by Margaret.
Looking forward to the McCloud River Railroad #25 steam engine from the second passenger car. Photo by Virginia.
Inside the enclosed passenger car. Photo by Margaret.
Restoration project railcars at the OCSR Garibaldi Depot. Photo by Margaret.
The east side of a sand dune in Barview Jetty County Campground. Photo by Virginia.
The inlet of Tillamook Bay in Rockaway Beach. Photo by Margaret.
Once the train returned to the depot in Rockaway Beach, we stopped in a couple of shops for goodies before joining Peaches in the Roadtrek and heading back to camp. Neither Margaret nor I have had much (me, any) railroad experience; but we have some "railroad men" in our family tree, and riding this historical train had me thinking about them and their lives on the rails.
NOTE: Clicking on the photos in the post will open them in a larger view (recommended!). If you want to see more photos of the beautiful places we've shared, we have them in this Flickr Collection: Over the Hill Sisters Photo Collection.
No comments:
Post a Comment