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The Last Day at the Izaak Walton Inn and


The Last Day at the Izaak Walton Inn and  

"Spring Training" for 1,895 miles on the Empire Builder and

 Coast Starlight back to Fullerton, California.

Since departure time on the westbound Empire Builder is at 7:31 p.m., you have all day at the Inn before departure.  We paid for a late checkout at 3 p.m. for $35.

During the previous two days, we had seen all we could of East and West Glacier and photographed trains at our favorite spots along Hwy. 2, so we decided we would not need the rental car this last day.  Instead, I edited the 1,000 photos I'd taken so far on this trip, enjoyed taking more photos of the morning arrival of the Empire Builder, had breakfast and lunch in the Inn's restaurant, and spent some time around the Inn and in the porch swing watching the humming birds, swallows, and robins.  I even got a tour of the work- in-progress on the new caboose by the Inn.


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During the last day, there were still trains to watch, as with this helper going uphill pushing a stack train.


This steam-era water tank still stands in the Essex Yard.
When some evening guests arrived and wanted a tour of her new caboose, Jamie invited me to take an in-progress look as well.


Soon-to-be Luxury Accommodations next to the GN 441.
From the Front Porch.

I didn't realize there was a red version of humming birds.
The pedestrian bridge builders thoughtfully put a camera hole in the fence.


Unusually warm for mid May, I'd say.
On my walk, I found some Mountain Springs.

Don found a good table in the 'Dining Car' Restaurant in the Inn for reading, and listening to the scanner for approaching trains.
Motive power from many RR's pass the Inn.

Time to close our 2010 visit to the Izaak Walton Inn, Essex, Montana, 

and Head Home on the westbound Empire Builder.



While waiting on the Izaak Walton Inn's platform, a freight headed uphill.



Before the grain train had passed, our Empire Builder arrived.

View from a Superliner

on the Empire Builder down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.




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Middle Fork of the Flathead River, with Glacier National Park's mountains in the background.


After sunset, photography keeps getting better.










Above: Columbia River and the south side of the Columbia Gorge at breakfast time.

Left: This full consist of the Empire builder, puts Portland sleeper passengers in the very last car with the opportunity to photograph the head end power and some cars up ahead.


View from a Superliner

on the Empire Builder down the Columbia River Gorge.




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Multnomah Falls, maybe.
I liked the low clouds over the falls.






The Columbia is so wide above dams that it is almost still.

The Bridge of the Gods is a steel truss cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River between Cascade Locks, Oregon and Washington state near Stevenson.

Portland Train Station

We had about 4 hours between the Empire Builder and the Southbound Coast Starlight.

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One of the advantages of this connection in Portland is the Metropolitan Lounge where you can leave your luggage, have refreshments, watch TV, and enjoy Wi-Fi, all free with a sleeper ticket on the next train.


Downtown
We took the light rail to Jake's for lunch.


View from a Superliner

on the Coast Starlight's Parlour Car


Parlour Car Attendant,  Carmella

This crew worked together very well.  The 3 sleeper attendants, above, helped Carmella make Wine Tasting an enjoyable experience.  Cruz, above center, was our Car Attendant.

Salinas, California's No. 1237
The Coast Starlight, with Parlour Car, at Salinas.


Salinas Station
No. 1237 at Salinas Station.


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