[Portland Station]   [Other Portland Railroading]   [Willamette River]  
PORTLAND STATION
The trip begins with the Empire Builder, Train #28. Head end power is #133. Call to board was done on time for a 4:45pmPST departure. However, when power to the train was applied, the system failed, only providing 137 volts instead of the required 480 volts. Troubleshooting began. After an hour, no solution was found. Conductor Kitty, in consultation with the dispatcher and others, decided a powe rchange was required. Engine #76 was pulled off the Oregon Cascades train at the station for an early morning departure. The change was made and after all tests were done (see video), we departed Portland 1:45 late.

Portland, OR (0 mi)

Famous station clock

Portland Station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safety marker lights

 

 

Diaphram passage


Last car of train

My sleeper car

Power cables

Peak at controls

Coupler and snow plow

 

First car stands ready

Cascades train where #76 came from

 

Engineer Kitty brings #76

New Head End power

Emissions data

Builders plate

[4:39]

OTHER PORTLAND RAILROADING
Portland is also home to large operations of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific (UP) railroads. Also, smaller, local railroads can be founr like the Portland & Western (P&W). These railroads uses trackage running right through the station area.

 

7828 GE ES44DC

7392 GE ES44DC

7392 GE ES44DC

 

4561 EMD SD70M

4561 EMD SD70M

4561 EMD SD70M

4561 EMD SD70M

4561 EMD SD70M

5150 EMD SD70M

UP 5340 GE AC45CCTE
[0:22]

 

3003 EMD GP40-2

2317 EMD GP40-2

WILLAMETTE RIVER
After leaving the station, we venture out along the Willamette River. In the Portland area, this includes railyards, oil terminals and several shipbuilding areas before moving into rural Oregon. At Vancouver, WA, we see the Bonneville Dam and power plant. We then travel along the Columbia River Gorge.

Mt Hood

 

Willbridge oil terminal

Columbia River Draw Bridge

Brindge is open, causing a delay

The reson for the dridge delay

Crossing the Willamette

[1:16]

Military shipbuilding

8446 EMD SD70ACe

7422 GE ES44DC

7317 GE ES44DC

 

Ornamental guard towers

 

 

Entering Cape Horn tunnel

 

 

Multnomah Falls

 

 

Bonneville Power Plant

Bonneville Dam

Bonneville Dam

Bonneville Dam

 

Sunset

END OF DAY #1
GO TO DAY #2