Valley Flyer - Hito Hill

SP 3383 W. the Valley Flyer at New Era, Oregon - April 1994

SP 3383 W. leaves the siding at Hito, Oregon after meeting the southbound Coast Starlight. Ahead is valley floor running to Salem.

Early spring in the northern Willamette Valley. Puddles and flowering fruit trees, crocus and daffodils, new lambs, and new shoots of green grass. SP leaves the little gorge of the Willamette through the south end of the Tualatin Mountains at New Era. Ahead is Canby and the crossing of the Mollala River, then Aurora and the crossing of the aptly named Pudding River, and then the short grade up Hito Hill.

Get Your Kicks on Rte. 99 E.

SP 9778 leads Amtrak's southbound Starlight at Oregon City, Oregon.

SP 9808 W. with an LA bound pig at Coalca, Oregon
Coalca was the name of a Mollala Indian Chief.

SP 9815 W. at Oregon City with the BNRVQ train.

SP 9815 W. at Oregon City with the BNRVQ train.
Look Ma, no nets!

SP 9815 W. at New Era, Oregon with the BNRVQ train.

SP 9815 W. at New Era, Oregon with the BNRVQ train.

SP 9815 W. crossing the Mollala River, just south of Canby, Oregon

These shots were taken in the fall of 1994 when I was living in S.E. Portland, and chases of Westbounds down 99E were the thing to do. SP's speed lettered SD70Ms were certainly a bright spot then.  Some good geographical information here:  Artifacts Along US 99 E.