Ep.04 – US Railway Travelogue

Episode 4 of US Railway Travelogue finds Tim Davies continuing onto the second part of the San Francisco to Portland leg of his trip on the first of the iconic Amtrak trains he is taking, recording the sights and sounds of ‘The Coast Starlight‘.

Route of The Coast Starlight.

With the train running about half an hour late, this episode picks up at a station called Chemult.

Chemult Station. Credit: Eubene.

Chemult Station. Credit: Tim Davies.

Chemult Station. Credit: Tim Davies.

As well as the sights and sounds, Tim manages to speak to a few of the passengers to discover why they are using the train, rather than other forms of transport available, such as flying.

After a while, the train crosses through the Cascades mountain range, and eventually some 22 tunnels – as well as some beautiful scenery.

The Cascades. Credit: Tim Davies.

The Cascades. Credit: Tim Davies.

Hamlet in the Cascades. Credit: Tim Davies.

Town in the Cascades. Credit: Tim Davies.

Town in the Cascades. Credit: Tim Davies.

As the train continues to pass through breathtaking views, Tim chats to another passenger, Bob, about what brings him to the train, and about how the scenery compares to back home in Colorado.

Willamette River. Credit: Tim Davies.

Lookout Point Lake. Credit: Tim Davies.

Lookout Point Lake dam. Credit: Tim Davies.

Agriculture along the Willamette Valley. Credit: Tim Davies.

Agriculture along the Willamette Valley – even a road with painted markings! Credit: Tim Davies.

Agriculture along the Willamette Valley. Credit: Tim Davies.

The train eventually makes it to Eugene, Oregon – named after the town’s founder.  It is the western-most town on the Amtrak system.

Eugene Station South.

Eugene Station sign. Credit: Tim Davies.

Stopped at Eugene for air. Credit: Tim Davies.

Stopped at Eugene for air. Credit: Tim Davies.

Heading out of Eugene, the train passes a significant number of freight yards.  Tim steals an opportunity to talk to CJ who looks after the ‘Parlour Car‘ on the Coast Starlight, about what the job entails, and how he got the job.

North of Eugene. Credit: Tim Davies.

Onwards, to Albany.

Albany Station sign. Credit: Tim Davies.

Albany Station. Credit: Loco Steve.

Albany Station. Credit: Tim Davies.

Next stop Salem – an impressive, mansion-like station.  The city is famous for being home to Kettle Foods – the people behind the famous Kettle Crisps!

Salem Station. Credit: Ron Reiring.

The train then passes through the Oregon City area.

Logs on the move, south of Oregon City. Credit: Tim Davies.

Oregon City paper mills. Credit: Tim Davies.

Oregon City paper mills. Credit: Tim Davies.

This leg of Tim’s journey came to an end in Portland.

Union Station, Portland. Credit: Tim Davies.

At Union Station, Portland. Credit: Tim Davies.

Tim Davies and Sound Vault would like to thank Amtrak who have helped make the recording of this podcast possible, and all of the crew of The Coast Starlight on this trip who made it so memorable.

Music credits:

Theme: “Steam Railway”, AK012, Composer: Kimber-McTiffen; Track Number 1, Royalty Free from “The Special Interest Video Selection“; (AKM Music);