Tom,

I'd heard about those trips where the Portland NRHS chapter would ask SP&S to tack the Mt. St. Helens on eastbound No. 4 for a round trip to Bend. The only day that could be run was a Friday departure from Portland because the northbound mixed would not connect with any train in Wishram, except on Saturdays when it left Bend at 7pm instead of 1am, and could connect with either No. 3 or No. 1. However, the BN merger on March 2, 1970 eliminated that "local control", and that Pullman lounge never made it to Bend again.

I did hear a story that one time they made that trip when the train was stuck at South Junction because of a derailment ahead of it. After waiting in the canyon for hours, a bus showed up to get everyone out of there. However, instead of leaving, they commandeered the bus to make a food and beer run to Madras. Everyone returned to the car and I guess they got home to Portland a day late. I wonder if anyone has any photos of that trip.

Lee Hower