The Sumpter Valley Railroad offers rides short rides from Sumpter May 25-27 during the annual Sumpter Flea Market.

ELGIN, SUMPTER — There is still time this fall to take a train ride through the landscape of Eastern Oregon thanks to the Eagle Cap Excursion Train and Sumpter Valley Railroad.

Excursion Train

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train canceled several riders earlier this year. On Sept. 28, the Friends of the Joseph Branch and the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority decided to add three more rides to the schedule.

“Over the years, we have developed a very important tourist attraction for Northeast Oregon and work hard to keep it going, despite obstacles such as the pandemic, wildfires and expensive track or equipment maintenance,” said Ed Spaulding, board president.

The Excursion Train will run a “Two Rivers” ride on four Saturdays — Oct. 16, 23, and 30 and Nov. 6. This route follows the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers to where they join at Rondowa. A boxed lunch is included and served along the way. The train leaves Elgin at 10 a.m. and returns around 1:30 p.m. Fares are $70 adults, $65 seniors, and $35 for ages 3-16. Age 2 and younger always ride free.

Halloween costumes are encouraged for the Oct. 30 train, and prizes will be awarded for the Funniest Face Mask and Most Creative Face Mask.

A “Two Rivers Bonus” train is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20. This route follows the Grande Ronde River from Elgin to Rondowa, then up the Wallowa River to Minam. The six-hour round trip departs at 10 a.m. and includes a boxed lunch and snack. Fares are $75 adults, $70 seniors, and $40 ages 3-16.

To make reservations, go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com. For questions, call 541-437-3652 or email tickets@eaglecaptrainrides.com.

SVRR

The Sumpter Valley Railroad will again offer the annual fall foliage trains and the photo train in October. Traditionally offered as a two-day option, this year’s photo train is just one day, Saturday, Oct. 23.

The fall foliage trains will run on Friday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 24. On both days, trains depart from the McEwen Depot at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fares are $25 adults, $22 seniors/military and $15 for ages 3-17. Ages 2 and younger always ride free.

The photo train on Oct. 23 is a full-day adventure starting at 7 a.m. and featuring multiple stops to capture scenic shots of the train and the changing colors. Cost is $150.

A Halloween night train is happening Friday, Oct. 29, with rides leaving the Sumpter Depot at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Fares are $15 adults, $14 seniors/military, and $8 ages 3-17. This coincides with the “Haunted Dredge” experience at the Sumpter Valley Dredge.

More short trains are planned for Saturday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., departing from the Sumpter Depot, which will have a costume contest and Halloween treats. Fares are $15 adults, $14 seniors/military, and $8 ages 3-17. This coincides with the “Haunted Dredge” experience at the Sumpter Valley Dredge.

In November, a Moonlight Train featuring wine and cheese is happening Friday, Nov. 19. The train departs from the McEwen Depot. Tickets are $55 for adults, and $20 for kids (cheese samples only).

On Saturday, Nov. 20, a full-run steam train leaves McEwen Depot at noon and riders can roast hot dogs and marshmallows at the Sumpter stop. Tickets are $25 adults, $22 seniors/military, $15 for ages 3-17, or $70 per family (two adults and two children).

To purchase tickets, go to www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org.