Sent by JB Bane:

PRESS RELEASE
Union County Tourism 102 Elm Street La Grande, OR 97867 541.963.8588 or 1.800.848.9969 fax: 541.963.3936

For Immediate Release

Date: October 18, 2006
Contact: Steve McClure, Union County Board of Commissioners
Phone: 541.963.1001
Fax: 541.963.1079

RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE RETURNS TO ELGIN

LA GRANDE, OREGON__The Wallowa Union Railroad and the Friends of the Joseph Branch announce the return of passenger rail service between Elgin and Wallowa County. The first passenger train trip to depart from Elgin in nearly five decades will take place this November 18. The trip will begin with a short celebration at 10 a.m., honoring the acquisition of the piece of track that connects Elgin with the rest of the Wallowa Union Railroad. The property includes adjacent land that allows ample room for parking and a passenger boarding area. Of major importance to the railroad's Eagle Cap Excursion Train operation, the purchase provides an opportunity to bring more economic benefit from the train into Union County businesses.
The specially scheduled "Elgin Launch" excursion departs at 11 a.m. for the approximately four hour ride from Elgin to Vincent and back. Vincent, located between Rondowa and Minam, is the location of a short railroad spur that historically served a major logging operation. The train ride will include lunch and is available for $50 per person, any age. To make reservations, please call Alegre Travel, 963-9000 or 1-800-323-7330. Seats are limited.
"We are extremely pleased to have reached an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad on the purchase of the one-half mile of track we needed to bring the excursion train into Elgin. After several months of preparation, the purchase arrangements were completed September 29. The railroad now owns the entire track from Elgin to Joseph," said Steve McClure, Union County Commission, in a joint announcement with Mike Hayward, Wallowa County Commission. The two commissioners co-chair the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority, the governing body of the railroad.
McClure said the railroad has worked on acquiring the roughly half-mile long piece of track from the beginning, knowing that having the ability to originate some of the excursions in Elgin will increase the number of people choosing to ride the train. As originally purchased, the track owned by WURR ended half a mile shy of Elgin due to Union Pacific having retained that much track for liability protection when they sold the Joseph Branch to Idaho Northern Pacific. Although WURR came that close to Elgin, the lay of the land and width of the right-of-way did not allow any room to manage and board passengers. The closest place to do so, was nearly four miles by rail but about twenty miles by automobile, making it not feasible for originating excursions from there.
"The purchase gives the railroad flexibility in designing trips that appeal to travelers," McClure said. "By offering some trips from Elgin, we will increase overall ridership, improving the railroad's revenue and increasing its economic impact on northeast Oregon." It will shorten the drive time for people coming from the south and west, provide more access to the popular roadless canyon segment of the track and give travelers who may not have enough time for the added travel the opportunity to take a train ride. Motels, restaurants and shops in Union County will see an increase in business from train passengers.
"We appreciate Union Pacific for working with us on this important acquisition," said Commissioner McClure. The property is across Baltimore Street from Elgin's city hall and includes the former site of the depot that served passengers during the railroad's busy times in the twentieth century.
Carmen Gentry, Mayor of Elgin, says she is very excited about the Eagle Cap Excursion Train finally becoming more a part of Union County. "It is a great opportunity for Elgin and it will bring positive growth to our community. Bringing the train into Elgin, will boost our local economy, create more visitors to our RV Park and increase visibility for our industrial park. This could not have come at a better time for Elgin and we are ready.
The railroad and the non-profit group that assists with the excursion train are already looking ahead to 2007 and planning a schedule that will include many trips that originate in Elgin. Each year, they learn more about what the public favors in trip lengths and destinations and where the best markets for the train live. Adding to the variety of trips gives riders choices that help them fit a train ride into their vacation plans. For more information, go to www.eaglecaptrain.com. To make reservations, contact Alegre Travel, 963-9000 or 1-800-323-7330.
Located in the mountainous northeast corner of Oregon, the historic "Joseph Branch" of the Wallowa Union Railroad was within days of being dismantled for salvage in 2002. The 63-mile section from Elgin to Joseph had been abandoned for several years and the right-of-way itself was in jeopardy. Wallowa and Union Counties, with a combined population of barely over thirty thousand people, couldn't sit by and watch a vital piece of their history and hope for the future disappear. The two county governments formed the Wallowa Union Railroad and purchased the railroad and limited freight and passenger rolling stock in May, 2003. The railroad hauls freight and operates the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. The Friends of the Joseph Branch is a non-profit corporation, formed to provide volunteers to help plan and staff the excursions and to assist with fundraising and improvements to the train. See the train website for history of the line and information on how to join the "Friends" and become a volunteer.

* * *

Janet Dodson, Executive Director
Union County Tourism
(also known as the La Grande/Union County Visitors & Conventions Bureau)
102 Elm Street
La Grande, Oregon 97850
541-963-8588 or 1-800-848-9969
www.visitlagrande.com