Byways Great American Railroads 2014 by Byways, Inc.

Featuring North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Travel Destinations

Great American Railroads 2014

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Byways Magazine is celebrating its 31st year of publication in 2014, featuring the leading travel destinations along the highways and byways of North America. In 2010, Byways became an all digital publication. It is published in two versions, a free Turn-Key edition on the web for viewing on Computers, Android, iPhone and iPad. An Apple Newsstand/App Store edition including sound and interactive video is also available. All advertising and editorial is included in both versions of the publication. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine 42 Cabin Hill Lane Mount Jackson, VA 22842 Fax 540-477-3858 800-469-0062

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PREVIEW By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

ur annual Great American citizens who wanted to honor their Nebraska National Railroads issue explores the lore Guard unit, but by accident turned the Canteen into one and excitement of railroads in of the largest volunteer efforts of World War II -- serving more than 6 million troops passing through North Platte! North America. Next stop is at one of the largest railroad museums in Each year we visit tourist railroads, North America, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. railroad museums, and railroad stations Located in Strasburg in Lancaster County’s Amish that have been transformed from anothfarm country, it houses one of the most significant coler era, to relive the golden days of the passenger train in lections of historic railroad artifacts in the world. American history. You can even step back in time -- and across the street In this issue, we begin our journey in Branson, MO, -to take a journey on the historic Strasburg Railroad with a visit to the Branson Scenic Railway. The Ozark when visiting the museum. Zephyr recreates America’s Next, we visit Louisiana’s romance with vintage passenger Outback, where we travel the train travel through the foothills of Creole Nature Trail All-American the Ozark Mountains in both Road in Southwest Louisiana/Lake Missouri and Arkansas. Charles. DeQuincy is a community The Branson Scenic Railway strengthened by the Kansas City explores territory inaccessible by Southern Railroad. automobile and offers scenic Located near Lake Charles, LA, views that are unattainable by any between Houston and New other means of transportation. Orleans, DeQuincy has always Next, we travel north to Kansas been a railroad town and railroadCity, to visit one of the great railing continues to play a major role road stations in American history. in the town’s economy and civic With some 850,000 square feet, it structure. was the second largest station in The DeQuincy Railroad the U.S. Passenger traffic reached Museum chronicles the history of record levels during World War II, the railroad from construction, to but after the war with the emerand the importance of the KCS gence of the airline industry and The Golden Spike Tower Railroad to the local economy. the automobile, the station saw a In Northeast Oregon, we discovprecipitous drop in use. Multiple er two excursion trains, operating efforts to demolish the station were averted, and a major within 100 miles of each other. The Eagle Cap Excursion redevelopment was completed in 1999. Today Union Train and the Sumpter Valley Railroad provide very difStation is again a train station, serving as a railroad staferent but equally delightful rail experiences. tion, with six Amtrak trains per day, its basement houses In What’s Happening, we visit one of the most unusua major post office, and a variety of family friendly al attractions anywhere. We came upon it on a visit to attractions have been developed. North Platte, and it’s located in nearby Alliance, Freight train traffic continues as a major force in transNebraska. It’s called Carhenge, and is modeled after portation today, and nowhere is there a better place to understand its role than at the Golden Spike Tower in Stonehenge in England. We’d like to try and describe it North Platte, Nebraska. Not only does the tower cele- to you, but we better just let you look at the pictures to brate the joining of the country by rail, the tower over- understand! We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways, and look forlooks the Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, the largest ward to more North American travels in our next issue. classification yard in the world. This is a must stop for anyone interested in the railroads, past, present or future. While in North Platte, visit the Lincoln County Historical Museum to learn about the North Platte Canteen. This remarkable story about a group of local 4 • Byways

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Volume 31, Issue No. 1, 2014 On the cover. America’s romance with the vintage passenger train lives on through excursions on the Branson Scenic Railway aboard a collection of unique passenger cars that travel through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. To learn more about America’s railroad history and heritage, turn to page 8. Great American Railroads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Branson Scenic Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Kansas City’s Union Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Golden Spike Tower & Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard Brings Visitors to North Platte . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Remarkable Story of the North Platte Canteen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 From Bayou, Rail to Car: Journey Through Louisiana’s Outback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Oregon’s Northeast Corner Offers Two Great Scenic Train Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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Nebraska’s Carhenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Coming in future issues of Byways…. . .Mountains and Valleys, Rivers and Lakes, Ocean Views, Great American Roads, and much more! At right: Mountains and Valleys will be highlighted in the next issue of Byways.

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Great American Railroads 2014

The view from the dome car on the Branson Scenic Railroad in Missouri. Photo by Steve Kirchner.

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ll aboard for an excursion on the Branson “Ozark Zephyr” Scenic Railway. America’s romance with the vintage passenger train lives on through excursions on the Branson Scenic Railway aboard a collection of unique passenger cars that travel through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. This one hour 45 minute trip takes passengers through tunnels, over trestles, and through the southwest Missouri or northwest Arkansas wilderness that is still home to much wildlife and to the ruins of long-ago communities now named only on railroad maps. The historic 1905 depot in downtown Branson, just one block west of Lake Taneycomo (formerly the White River), is the headquarters for the Branson Scenic Railway. The depot houses the administrative offices, the reservation and ticket office, and a gift shop that carries many train items. 10 • Byways

The engineer prepares to leave the depot. Photo courtesy Branson Scenic Railway.

Traveling on a working commercial railroad line, the train’s direction of travel (depending on freight traffic and/or track conditions) is determined by the Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad just prior to departure. At that time, the train will go either north or south. Three to four times daily, depending on the season, Branson Scenic Railway explores territory inaccessible by automobile and offers views that are unattainable by any other means of transportation. A lively narration points out the landmarks such as Crest Tunnel, Cricket

Tunnel, Walnut Creek Trestle, Barren Fork Trestle, and Tharp’s Grade; and the extinct communities of Gretna, Melva, and Ruth are described as they were in the early 20th century. Also included in the narration is a description of the wildlife and landscape and an outline of the railroad’s role in shaping the Ozarks. The routes take passengers about 20 miles from Branson before reversing direction and returning on the same tracks. Upon boarding the train, the first thought is to head for the three dome cars with their panoramic views. Seating is unassigned, and passengers are invited to tour the entire train. (Since boarding numbers are issued in the order the reservation is made, it is suggested that reservations be made as early as possible.) The cars have been restored and refurbished to offer the same first-class experience and ambiance to today’s passengers as to those they carried fifty years ago. There is also a concession area aboard the Silver Lake car that offers refreshments for purchase. The comfort of the vintage passenger cars is quite a contrast to the harsh realities the railroad pioneers found when they undertook bringing rail service to the Ozarks. Laying the tracks for the White River Railway was possibly the most difficult construction task ever undertaken in the Ozarks. The railway was built in two sections: a northward line beginning at Batesville, Arkansas, and the other going south from Carthage, Missouri. Construction began in January 1902, and the final spike was driven on December 29, 1905, which joined the northern and southern sections. The 239 miles of track cost more than Byways • 11

Panoramic view from the dome car on the Branson Scenic Railway.

$12 million—about six times normal rail construction costs. The town of Branson is a product of the railroad. The construction of the White River Railway in the early 1900s made the area accessible for tourists and is largely responsible for the development of Branson and the Ozarks as a tourism destination. Before the area’s economy was based on tourism, the railroad served a traditional industrial purpose, which continues to this day. The railroad is known as the White River Route. The route crosses the White River in Branson, now Lake Taneycomo, and then runs along side of it after taking a fifty-mile “short cut” over the Ozark Mountains. This was part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Kansas City, Missouri, and Little Rock, Arkansas. It became a part of the Union Pacific after the UP bought the MOPAC. The Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad now operates the line. In 1993, the Branson Scenic Railway 12 • Byways

was formed, and through a lease arrangement with the MNA, runs excursions through this historic route March through December. http://www.bransontrain.com White glove service in the dining car.

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Kansas City’s Union Station Story and Photos By Dr. John A. Kirchner

The National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial, located on a hilltop just north of Union Station, offers a commanding view of the majestic train station, with the backdrop of Kansas City’s central business district.

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The beautiful Grand Hall is 95-feet high, and the three chandeliers weigh 3,500 pounds each. Harvey’s open setting restaurant is located to the left.

ne of America’s great railway stations, Kansas City Union Station was opened in 1914, the creation of architect Jarvis Hunt, a champion of the “City Beautiful” movement. When the massive BeauxArts structure entered service, it was the second largest station in the U.S., some 850,000 square feet. Passenger traffic reached its peak during World War II, but by the 1960s, with the introduction of commercial jet aircraft, the station saw a precipitous drop in use. 16 • Byways

The famed Fred Harvey chain ceased operating its Westport Room restaurant in 1968. Despite being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the decline continued, and by the 1980s the station was essentially moribund, as initial attempts to redevelop it failed. The station sat empty and unused, but avoided several threats of demolition, and in 1996 residents of the metropolitan Kansas City area, in both Missouri and Kansas, voted to support a 1/8th of a cent sales tax to redevelop

The massive North Waiting Room, which could handle 10,000 passengers, is today called the Sprint Festival Plaza, and is used for special events, including banquets and large weddings. Below, this mural depicts the various railroads that made Kansas City one of the nation’s leading rail centers. the venue. Work was completed in 1999, and the station, which is operated as a non-profit 501c3 organization, has since become one of Kansas City’s prime tourist attractions. It is today self-supporting. In addition to again serving as a railroad station, with six Amtrak trains per day, its basement houses a major post office, and a variety of family friendly attractions have been developed.

Kansas City Southern’s Southern Belle passenger train at Union Station. The Kansas City-based KCS operates the train for business purposes and special events.

These include Science City, the H&R Block City Stage Theatre, the Reginer Extreme Screen, at five and one half stories tall, the largest 3-D screen in the region, the Gottlieb Planetarium, and the Irish Museum and Cultural Center. Several restaurants have opened, including Harvey’s in the Grand Hall, and upscale Pierpoints, a steak and seafood bistro. A visit to Kansas City is not complete without experiencing the rebirth of Union Station. http://www.visitkc.com Byways • 17

Golden Spike Tower & Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard Bring Visitors to North Platte

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The vast Union Pacific classification Bailey Yard can be seen from the top of the Golden Spike Tower Visitors Center in North Platte, Nebraska. Photo courtesy Nebraska Tourism. Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 19

The Golden Spike Tower & Visitor Center. Photo courtesy Nebraska Tourism.

hy the Golden Spike Tower? Why North Platte, Nebraska? The answers are fairly simple. This is where east meets west on Union Pacific's rail line, just as east met west in Promontory Summit, Utah, when the Transcontinental Railroad was 20 • Byways

built. Both Union Pacific, building from Omaha, Nebraska and Central Pacific, building from Sacramento, California, met and drove the golden spike to open up the west.

Golden Spike Tower Buffalo Bill Cody The idea of the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center Buffalo Bill Cody was a mainstay in North Platte for was first conceived in the mid-1990s as Union Pacific's 30 years with his Scout's Rest Ranch and Wild West viewing platform was falling into disrepair. Community Shows. A showman to be sure, Buffalo Bill was both a leaders thought it a good idea to erect a tower that would scout and buffalo hunter before becoming his era's allow visitors to get a birds-eye view of Bailey Yard. The equivalent of a true show business star. His home and Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center opened on June show barn are still available for public tours. From 1883 26, 2008. to 1886, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show toured the counThe Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center features a try, and was hugely popular. The rail line was the key to courtyard proudly flying the 23 flags representing each transporting the show throughout the country. state Union Pacific Railroad serves. The Memorial Brick Pavilion honors members of the community, employees Union Pacific Bailey Yard Union Pacific's Bailey Yard is the world's largest rail of Union Pacific and others with commemorative bricks embossed with the name of the person for which the yard with activity around the clock, every day of the year. Union Pacific has made it possible for generations brick was purchased. Nestled at the confluence of the North and South Platte of North Platte families to prosper, while the railroad Rivers, North Platte has always been a railroad town. Or itself hauls the cargo that touches each of our lives in should we say: It was a railroad town before it was North every way, every day. The Golden Spike Tower overlooks the Union Platte. Union Pacific's Grenville Dodge platted the area in 1866, and by 1867 main line operations began in what was at the time called, "Hell on Top photo. The Engine Repair Facility at Bailey Wheels Town." He also began a repair facility Yard. Below, a Union Pacific coal train passes through Nebraska. on the site where Bailey Yard is today. It wasn't until 1874 that North Platte officially became a city. It was a rough and tumble community with railroad workers and their tag-a-longs populating the area. North Platte was also the ending point for the Texas cattle drives with cowboys herding longhorn cattle. It was said that there were so many longhorn cattle in North Platte that it was unsafe to cross the street.

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Buffalo Bill’s home and show barn are available for public tours in North Platte. Photo by Steve Kirchner.

Pacific's Bailey Yard, named for former U.P. president Edd H. Bailey. It's where east meets west on the Union Pacific line, and where 10,000 cars are handled each day on 2,850 acres of land stretching out eight miles. It is the world’s largest railroad classification yard, where locomotives and rail cars are serviced and repaired and freight trains are assembled. An average of 139 trains a day pass through every day. More than 3,000 cars are sorted daily in the eastward and westward yards. These yards are nicknamed "hump yards" because they utilize a mound (hump) ranging in height from 20-34 feet. An average of four cars per minute are sent gently down the humps where they're united with trains going to one of dozens of destinations.

can repair up to 20 cars per hour, 24 hours a day. All told, 14 million gallons of fuel are pumped each month at Bailey Yard to keep the trains moving.

Command Center All train movement throughout Bailey Yard is handled through the on-site command center with the latest computerized control systems. The Bailey Yard command center is tied to the Harriman Dispatching Center in Omaha, which controls hundreds of intercity trains daily throughout the company's 23-state rail system.

North Platte Today North Platte is not only a bustling community with great historical significance, but also a community Repair Facilities with an eye on the future. It is with this firm understandLocomotive repair is handled in North Platte at one of ing of the hard work and mental fortitude of the past, that Union Pacific's largest repair shops. This shop encom- the future becomes even brighter. passes the same area as three football fields. From To learn more about the Golden Spike Tower, visit major engine repairs to the smoothing of wheels, the shop crew can handle 300 locomotives each day, pro- http://www.goldenspiketower.com To learn more about visiting North Platte, visit cessing more than 8,500 engines per month. http://visitnorthplatte.com The "One Spot" car shop services 50 rail cars per day and replaces 10,000 pairs of wheels annually. The shop 22 • Byways

Remarkable Story of the North Platte Canteen

orth Platte, Nebraska is a railroad town, home to Union Pacific Railroadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bailey Yard, the largest classification yard in the world. But during World War II, North Platte became known for its Canteen in a remarkable story bringing together U.S. and Allied servicemen on troop trains and volunteers determined to meet, greet and feed every soldier passing through the city. Ten days after Pearl Harbor, North Platte residents learned that a troop train carrying Company D of the Nebraska National Guard would be passing through on

their way from Camp Robinson, Arkansas to the West Coast. Family members met the train with food and cigarettes, but were surprised and disappointed that the Company D on-board was from the Kansas National Guard. Everyone stood in disbelief, but finally, one person stepped forward and gave the presents to the troops on-board. Soon, everyone followed. Local store clerk Rea Wilson had an idea, and remembered that the North Platte Red Cross had run a canteen during World War I, and suggested it could be done again. Little did she realize that her efforts would result in one of the largest all-volunteer efforts of World War II. The North Platte Canteen met its first troop train on December 25, 1941. Baskets of goodies were prepared, but when the train arrived troops had to remain on the train for security

reasons. So women handed the cookies, fruit, cigarettes and magazines up through the windows. Before long security lessened, and troops were able to leave the train and enter the station where they were served. The North Platte Canteen was partly a function of the steam locomotive. Before Union Pacific switched to diesels, North Platte was a servicing point for steam engines. A service stop generally took about 10 minutes. During this time, servicemen and servicewomen could jump off the train and make a quick visit to the canteen. As the demands of the war grew, so did the sacrifices

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Soldiers run to the Canteen as their time off the trains was short. of the American people. Rationing and price controls of basic items were instituted. Citizens were given ration books that included stamps that allowed one to buy limited things like sugar, coffee, gasoline, tires and more. Even with these limitations, the North Platte Canteen continued to grow.

Food regularly included sandwiches, fried chicken, hard boiled eggs, pickles, fresh fruit, cookies, doughnuts, pie, coffee, milk and iced tea. And birthday cakes, and Thanksgiving turkey, Easter eggs, and May Day baskets. The canteen never closed one day during its existence. It was open every day, in all weather.

Every soldier disembarking the trains was served. Some days there were 24 trains a day.

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As the war became an all-out effort, troop trains began what these volunteers had accomplished in support of the to pour into North Platte. As many as 24 trains a day War effort. http://www.lincolncountymuseum.org stopped in the city, giving thousands of troops a chance to experience the canteen, requiring more and more volunteers. From 1941 until the end of the war, some 55,000 volunteers from 125 Nebraska communities, some as far as 200 miles away, gave both food and time to the volunteer effort. At warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end, the Canteen remained open to serve soldiers returning home. With few troop trains arriving, the Canteen closed on April 1, 1946. During its existence, the Canteen served 6 million servicemen, and never missed a single train traveling through North Platte. Today you can experience the North Platte Canteen at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte. Through exhibits, photos and video, the Canteen is The Canteen on display at the Lincoln County recreated allowing you to gain an Historical Museum in North Platte. understanding and appreciation of Byways â&#x20AC;˘ 25

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania 26 â&#x20AC;¢ Byways

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The Tahoe, the museum’s oldest locomotive.

he Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania houses one ance, and pursues a major restoration program. •Conducts educational programs for all ages, provides of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world. It is located in tours and holds special events, many in cooperation with Strasburg in Lancaster County's Amish farm country in outside organizations. The innovative Railway Southeastern Pennsylvania. Visitors traveling east of Strasburg on Route 741 sudThe musem is a popular stop for school denly encounter a wondrous array of locomotives hard groups. Photo courtesy Craig Benner, Railby the road -- steam engines, diesels, even several road Museum of Pennsylvania. electrics. One locomotive rests on a massive hundredfoot long turntable. A sign announces "Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania," beyond which a massive building stands as a memorial, a veritable shrine, to one of the Commonwealth's most significant industries and cultures -- railroading. Strasburg has become a railroad mecca. The Strasburg Rail Road, located across the road from the Museum, is a national focal point of steam equipment and rolling stock preservation, drawing thousands of visitors a year to its 45 minute steam train rides up to Paradise and back. The Train Collectors Association operates its Toy Train Museum nearby, displaying model railroad layouts of many types. Other commercial railroad-oriented enterprises have also located nearby. The museum is devoted to preserving and interpreting the broad impact of railroad development on society, the Museum: •Displays over 100 locomotives and cars from the mid-19th and 20th centuries, including the priceless Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Collection. •Restored many unique survivors to original appear28 • Byways

Education Center provides a focus for exciting learning. •Houses extensive exhibits of railroad artifacts, plus priceless art work, books, photographs and corporate railroad material. •Recognizes that railroad history is alive and continues being made in this new millennium. The Museum uses new technologies to preserve and interpret the unfolding story.

The original core of the collection, since greatly expanded, is a fantastic assortment of vintage locomotives and rolling stock that the Pennsylvania Railroad assembled for the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. The "Pennsy" had been preparing for the fair for a number of years by gathering together and refurbishing historic equipment and relics from the earlier decades of railroading. After the fair ended, the Pennsylvania Railroad continued to add to the collection and stored it at an unused roundhouse in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. In the early 1960s, the Pennsylvania Railroad realized that decreasing revenue prevented the continuing preservation efforts expended in maintaining the collection, and began searching for a way to guarantee the permanency of their historic collection. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania resolved in 1963 to build a State Railroad Museum and in 1965 selected a site adjacent to the Strasburg Railroad (the oldest continuously operated short-line railroad in the United States), and broke ground for the Museum facility in 1972. Meanwhile, in 1968, the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central merged to form the Penn Central Corporation in a joint effort to stay in busi-

Historic steam engines. Photo courtesy Craig Benner, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

ness. The historic locomotives and rolling-stock from the Penn Central were, at first, leased to the Railroad Museum but the continuing financial struggles of the huge railroad corporation prompted the Commonwealth to purchase the collection because of the uncertain future of the locomotives and cars. The original Museum exhibit hall's interior resembled an early train shed of circa 1860 and measured some 320 by 150 feet. In June of 1995, as one of the event highlights commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the museum opened a new addition which doubled the length of the exhibit hall to 640 feet. The new award-winning addition is modeled after a glass-roofed train shed of the early 20th century. Outside, a number of additional locomotives and Byways • 29

Engine 475 of the historic Strasburg Railroad, which is located across the street from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy Strasburg Railroad.

rolling stock occupy a five and a half acre yard, centered around an operational 1928 Reading Railroad turntable. While the Museum is known as the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, it is not the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum. It celebrates all railroads and railroad-related industries that contributed to the history of the

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Commonwealth. The collection has grown impressively and includes locomotives and rolling stock from at least 18 different Pennsylvania railroads and 22 different builders overall. For more information, visit http://www.rrmuseumpa.org

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From Bayou, Rail to Car: Journey Through Louisiana’s Outback By Megan Hartman

Alligator crossing signs along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road in Southwest Louisiana.

n days past, you didn’t use a car to rush around the city running errands. Cars were vehicles that took you out of ordinary day-to-day life and into the extraordinary experience of exploration. Cruising down a long stretch of picturesque road was your destination. Your journey was your adventure. And it still is, on the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road in Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles. The Creole Nature Trail is affectionately known as Louisiana’s Outback and winds through more than 180 miles of bayous, Gulf beaches and back roads where you can experience alligators, birds and wildlife in their natural habitat. The Cajuns traversed this marshland and bayous using pirogues. While boats are often used, you can still tour the Creole Nature Trail in the comfort of your car with the free Creole Nature Trail Smartphone app. While in the area, you might want to see another historic form of travel in nearby DeQuincy, Louisiana, a community strengthened by the Kansas City Southern Railroad. DeQuincy is located near Lake Charles, LA, between Houston and New Orleans. It’s always been a railroad town and railroading continues to play a major role in the town’s economy and civic structure. The DeQuincy Railroad Museum chronicles the history of the railroad from construction, to using the rail sys32 • Byways

Louisiana’s Outback. Photo courtesy Monsour's Photography, Lake Charles, LA.

tem as a form of travel and even being employed by KCS Railroad. It is situated at 400 Lake Charles Ave., DeQuincy, in the 1923 Kansas City Southern Railroad

The DeQuincy Railroad Museum in Louisiana.

Depot in the downtown historic district. The depot is one of the most outstanding examples of the Mission Revival style of architecture in the South. Some of the artifacts on display include a 1913 steam locomotive, a passenger coach, and two vintage cabooses. Also on display are many model trains and an extensive collection of Gauge 1 model steam and diesel engines. It is also the site of the Louisiana Railroad Days Festival, which is held on the second weekend in April each year and is a family friendly event. Located near the museum is the new DeQuincy Town Hall Museum. Exhibits include industry memorabilia and a Wall of Honor paying tribute to locals who have served in the U.S. military services. For more information, call the DeQuincy Railroad Museum at 337-786-2823 or visit www.dequincyrailroadmuseum.com For more information on the Creole Nature Trail, visit Byways • 33

Oregon’s Northeast Corner Offers Two Great Scenic Train Experiences

uring the heyday of the great western migration along the Oregon Trail, Oregon’s northeastern corner was known for its tall mountains that presented one of the biggest obstacles to pioneers making their way west to the famed Willamette Valley. For many of today’s travelers, the region is noticed for its friendly communities that serve those passing through on Interstate 84 and the wide vistas seen beyond their windshield. Those who take the time to explore the backroads quickly encounter many hidden treasures worth seeking out. People with a passion for trains and railroads are delighted to discover two excursion trains, operating within 100 miles of each other. The Eagle Cap Excursion Train and the Sumpter Valley Railroad provide very different but equally delightful rail experiences. Putting the two together in one tour itinerary forms the basis for a fun and exciting journey through a highly scenic and enchanting region of Oregon. Departing from Elgin, 20 miles north of La Grande, the Eagle Cap Excursion Train is a 1940s vintage diesel train that operates beneath the peaks of the Wallowa and Blue Mountain ranges. The train follows the shores of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers, both known for their rugged beauty and quality rafting and fishing. The route of the railroad is through a roadless area, offering 34 • Byways

Take a trip back in time on the Sumpter Valley Railroad, Oregon’s only surviving narrow gauge railroad.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train, a 1940s vintage diesel train, travels beneath the peaks of the Wallowa and Blue Mountain ranges.

views of a landscape that can’t be seen from an automobile. High, timbered ridges tower above while rugged basalt cliffs hug the track. The train crosses the Rondowa Bridge, where the two rivers converge and continue their journey to join the Snake, then Columbia Rivers. Wildlife often seen by passengers includes elk, mule deer, Bald Eagles, osprey and various waterfowl, with rare spotting of black bear or moose. Train rides vary from two to four hours, with many including a meal and entertainment. The distance covered ranges from 20 to 40 miles, with round trip or oneway options. The train runs on a section of the historic Joseph Branch, a century-old line that connects the remote and famously beautiful Wallowa Valley with La Grande, where secondary highways connect with Interstate 84 and freight trains on the Union Pacific Railroad pass en route to Portland, Oregon. The Elgin depot has bus parking, a gift shop, displays and rest rooms. Go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com for the 2014 schedule and information and contact Peggy Weishaar, group sales contact, train@alegretravel.com or 800-323-7330. On the Sumpter Valley Railroad, take a steam-powered trip back in time on Oregon’s only surviving narrow gauge railroad. Located a mere half-hour from Baker City on the Elkhorn Scenic Byway, it’s a fun and affordable journey back to the days of gold mining and the Wild West. On weekends and major holidays, Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend of September, excursion trains run from McEwen to the historic gold mining town of Sumpter where you can explore the famous Gold

The Eagle Cap follows the shores of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers.

Dredge, get a bite to eat, and do a bit of shopping. For more information on the Sumpter Valley Railroad, its special events and the 2014 season, please visit them online at www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org, or call 541894-2268. As area travel experts, we can help you plan a tour itinerary or a vacation around a ride on these two railroads, incorporating the many nearby sights and attractions that are woven together along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, such as the Wallowa Lake Tramway, the Joseph Art Walk, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City and a jet boat trip on the Snake River, deep into the heart of Hells Canyon. Get a taste of what is available at www.hellscanyonbyway.com, then contact us for more information and a sample itinerary. http://www.eaglecaptrainrides.com http://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org Winter excursion on the Sumpter Valley Railroad.

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g n i n e p p a H s ’ t Wha

Nebraska’s Carhenge! 36 • Byways

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ising like monoliths from ancient times on the western edge of the Sandhills of Nebraska stands a formation of vehicles from days gone by. Carhenge, which replicates Stonehenge in England, consists of the circle of cars, 3 standing within the circle, and includes a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Car Art Preserveâ&#x20AC;? with sculptures made from cars and parts of cars. Located just north of Alliance, Nebraska, Carhenge is formed from vintage American automobiles, painted gray to replicate Stonehenge. The artist of this unique car sculpture, Jim Reinders, experimented with unusual and interesting artistic creations throughout his life. While living in England, he had the opportunity to study the design and purpose of Stonehenge. His desire to copy Stonehenge in physical size and placement came to fruition in the summer of 1987 with the help of many family members. Thirty-eight automobiles were placed to assume the same proportions as Stonehenge with the circle measuring approximately 96 feet in diameter. Some autos are held upright in pits five feet deep, trunk end down, 38 â&#x20AC;˘ Byways

while other cars are placed to form the arches and welded in place. All are covered with gray spray paint. The honor of depicting the heel stone goes to a 1962 Caddy. Carhenge was built as a memorial to Reinders’ father who once lived on the farm where Carhenge now stands. While relatives were gathered following the death of Reinders’ father in 1982, the discussion turned to a memorial and the idea of a Stonehenge replica was developed. There is no charge to visit, and there is a gift shop at the site. See more at: http://carhenge.com

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Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America. Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators plus selected travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptions are complimentary. An iPad & iPhone version is available for consumers in iTunes and Newsstand in the App Store. Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, and selected travel agents, bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine, 42 Cabin Hill Lane, Mount Jackson, VA 22842. Telephone 540477-3202. Fax 540-477-3858. Toll-free 800-469-0062. ©Copyright 2014 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher. Editor and Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner

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