I've lived in the Portland area for nearly 20 years now, and the Vancouver depot area still never fails to thrill...

On my very first trip to the area, in May 1993 to look for a house, I visited the depot and was immediately introduced to its assets and to the diverse cast of characters who had then and continue to hang out there.

There are some new places to check out if you haven't been there in a while...

The new 39th Street overpass, although it replaced a grade crossing with some good photo angles, now gives us some extra overhead shots, including the locomotive service area and the turntable at the north end of the yard.

The new pedestrian overpass that spans the tracks east of Interstate 5 also has some great angles, and also allows you to "spot" those trains that are slowing for or have stopped at the 8th Street interlocking. You can get to it off the riverwalk that parallels the tracks there, and there are also some good restaurants right by there.