"Schedule" for the Ayer Sub is a somewhat loose term. A few of its trains do kinda have one, but much of what rumbles over Joso is timed by the flow and handling via CP and at places like the (south of) Boardman coal plant and the grain/potash terminals near the coast. Plus the occasional presence of MofW activity. On a good day, I've seen as many as 10 or 11 trains there in daylight, and on other days as few as two or three.

This time of year, your day might start with an M-HKSK if it's suffered a long night of work en route at Wallula, Ayer, etc. M-HKET is usually a mid to late afternoon departure out of Hinkle, and may also be delayed by work en route. Q-ETHK can show up just about any time of day. And M-SKHK is typically a late afternoon departure from Spokane, with possible work at Hooper before he reaches Joso. Beyond that, I'm told the manifest mix is a bit down right now due to less loose car traffic out of Canada, hence there have been some really long southbounds lately in the 120-plus car range to compensate for the reduced number of runs.

Add to that one, two, possibly three grain loads south (it's running heavy right now) plus empties north per day, a possible potash load south and empty north, Boardman coal south three or four times per week, and yes those Watco/Blue Mountain grain shuttles. Last I heard (subject to change), the loads were leaving Hooper Thursdays and Saturdays, empties north on alternate days. Variable with harvest. And not that it crosses Joso bridge, you might catch Great Northwest's Ayer Turn on the low line under the south end of the bridge.