La Grande may have less traffic than in the past, but if you live out in the sticks of Wallowa County, we have great scenery but have to travel to La Grande to hear a grade-crossing toot or see any rolling stock that actually is rolling. (That doesn't count the occasional WURR Eagle Cap Excursion Trains, which I definitely appreciate.)

I like it when my fiancee has a hair appointment in LG since I get to do some rare train watching. I'm happy there still are trains to spot.

A few days ago when we were in LG, most main intersections were blocked for five minutes by a 100-plus-car UP double-stack undergoing a crew change Not long afterward, there was a three-car Idaho Northern freight heading south. For me, it was great. My fiancee was amused. "Wow," she said, "longest train I've seen in a long time."