Georgia-Pacific's sprawling kraft paper mill sends steam into the low clouds hanging above Toledo, Oregon, and the Yaquina River on June 27, 2002, during my first visit to the Beaver State.
On June 11, 2008, Portland and Western's Harbor Turn crosses Holcomb Creek near Hillsboro, Oregon, on the largest wooden railroad trestle still in use.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls through Harris, Oregon, just before the sun sets in the Coast Range Mountains on June 14, 2008.
The morning sun and the placid Willamette River greet Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler in Albany, Oregon, following the train's mostly overnight run to Toledo and back.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler prepares to depart its namesake town in western Oregon on the morning of June 25, 2008.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler passes a spindly-looking suspension bridge over the Yaquina River on June 25, 2008. Remarkably, someone drove an 80s-vintage car across this just moments later as I was packing up. Wish I'd been shooting video!
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls through wheat fields between Albany and Corvallis on the evening of June 29, 2008.
Framed by a covered bridge over the Marys River, Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls through Harris, Oregon, just before sunset on June 29, 2008.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Willamette River in Albany, Oregon, on the morning of July 11, 2008. The two green bridges in the background carry the east- and westbound lanes of U.S. 20.
Portland and Western's OE Express crosses the Willamette River on the Oregon Electric District between Harrisburg and Junction City, Oregon, at twilight on July 30, 2008.
Portland and Western's American Turn local freight train crosses the Willamette River on the former Oregon Electric Railroad between Harrisburg and Junction City, Oregon, on the morning of July 31, 2008.
Just before sunset on September 14, 2008, Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Willamette River in Albany, Oregon, at the start of the train's nocturnal run to Toledo and back.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Marys River near Philomath, Oregon, on the evening of November 3, 2008.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls north on Holly Street in Junction City, Oregon, on January 16, 2009.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls down Fourth Street in Harrisburg, Oregon, on the foggy morning of January 16, 2009.
Portland and Western's American Turn freight train rolls south through the Willamette Valley between Junction City and Harrisburg, Oregon, on the foggy afternoon of January 16, 2009.
Portland and Western's American Turn freight train rolls south over the Calapooia River in Albany, Oregon, as the morning sun cuts through the fog on February 3, 2009.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler cuts through thick fog in Corvallis, Oregon, on the evening of February 4, 2009.
The American Turn rolls south through the morning fog on Portland and Western's Oregon Electric District between Albany and Junction City on February 4, 2009.
Looking south up the Willamette Valley from a rural crossing of Portland and Western's Oregon Electric District on February 5, 2009.
Clouds obscure the rising moon at the Harvest Drive crossing of Portland and Western's Oregon Electric District on February 9, 2009.
Portland and Western 2313 leads a former Southern Pacific caboose north past a grain elevator near Independence, Oregon, on the Westside District on February 16, 2009.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Willamette River as it leaves Albany, Oregon, at sunset on February 16, 2009, for an all-night run to Toledo and back.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls north near Harrisburg, Oregon, as clouds roll above the Cascade foothills in the distance on February 17, 2009.
Trees in the fields south of Albany, Oregon, frame Portland and Western's American Turn local freight train rolling north on the afternoon of February 18, 2009.
Portland and Western 1804 shoves a work train of ballast hoppers into a siding between Albany and Corvallis, Oregon, beneath a beautiful sky on March 3, 2009.
Blue flag protection indicates men working on Portland and Western 3007 inside the railroad's Albany shops on March 10, 2009. Shot on assignment for Locomotive magazine.
Portland and Western 2316 rests outside the railroad's Albany diesel shop on the morning of March 10, 2009. Shot on assignment for Locomotive magazine.
Portland and Western GP9 locomotive 1803 leads the railroad's Toledo Hauler as the train prepares to depart the yard in Albany, Oregon, on the afternoon of April 25, 2009.
Spring clouds roll above the Willamette River in Albany, Oregon, as Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler leaves town in the late afternoon of April 25, 2009.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls under power lines in the Willamette Valley between Corvallis and Albany, Oregon, just after sunrise on May 7, 2009.
At the end of its all-night run to Toledo and back, Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Willamette River into Albany, Oregon, just after sunrise on May 7, 2009.
Portland and Western shop worker tends to one of the railroad's locomotives inside the Albany shop on May 8, 2009. Shot on assignment for Locomotive magazine.
Portland and Western Railroad shop workers use an overhead crane to position a new power assembly for GP40-2 locomotive 3002 at Albany, Oregon, on May 8, 2009. Shot on assignment for Locomotive magazine.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls south through the fields between Albany and Junction City, Oregon, on May 11, 2009.
Portland and Western's American Turn local freight train heads south up the Willamette Valley as clouds roll above the Coast Range mountains on May 11, 2009.
One of Portland and Western's diesel doctors grinds down a part inside the railroad's Albany shops on May 20, 2009. Shot on assignment for Locomotive magazine.
Portland and Western SD9 locomotive 1854 inside the railroad's Albany shops following a rebuild. June 12, 2009; shot on assignment for Locomotive magazine.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls west into the Coast Range Mountains at Harris, Oregon, as the shadows grow long on the evening of June 26, 2009.
Portland and Western GP40-2 locomotive 3001 leads the Toledo Hauler west at Harris, Oregon, on June 29, 2009.
Portland and Western's American Turn freight train rolls north past haybales near Harrisburg, Oregon, on July 23, 2009. SD45 locomotive 3052 was unusual power for this train.
Portland and Western's American Turn freight train rolls north past a wheat field near Harrisburg, Oregon, on July 23, 2009. SD45 locomotive 3052 was unusual power for this train.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls past colorful maple trees in downtown Corvallis, Oregon, on October 29, 2009.
Portland and Western's Harbor Turn passes oak trees and an obelisk grave stone in the St. Francis Cemetery just east of Banks, Oregon, on October 30, 2009.
Portland and Western's Harbor Turn crosses a small trestle near North Plains, Oregon, on the grade to Cornelius Pass on October 30, 2009.
Portland and Western's Harbor Turn crossing Holcomb Creek Trestle near Helvetia, Oregon, on October 30, 2009. This is the largest timber railroad trestle still in use.
Portland and Western's Corvallis Switcher makes a rare run south of town to retrieve stored flatcars on the otherwise unused Lower Westside line on November 4, 2009.
Portland and Western's Corvallis Switcher passes a massive oak tree during a rare run south of town to retrieve stored flatcars on the otherwise unused Lower Westside line on November 4, 2009. Mary's Peak, highest in the Coast Range at 4,097 feet, dominates the background.
The morning of November 5, 2009, is just beginning to break over Portland and Western's Albany shops as GP40 locomotive 3005 rests under the sanding tower.
Portland and Western SD45 locomotive 3052 is set to become an SD40-3 with a new prime being delivered by crane at the railroad's Albany shops on November 5, 2009.
One of Portland and Western's diesel doctors uses a cutting torch during a main generator replacement on one of the railroad's locomotives at the Albany shops on November 5, 2009.
Portland and Western's Westsider freight train rolls through the fields near McMinnville on an unusually clear December day in 2009.
Portland and Western's Westsider freight train rolls north through fields near McMinnville, Oregon, on December 2, 2009.
Portland and Western's Westsider freight train rolls north through fields near McMinnville, Oregon, on an unusually clear December 2, 2009, although the fields still hold puddles from the more typical rain of late fall.
Portland and Western's Westsider freight train crosses a short trestle near McMinnville, Oregon, on December 2, 2009, as the Coast Range Mountains loom in the background.
Portland and Western's Westsider freight train rolls north over a timber trestle in Amity, Oregon, on December 2, 2009.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls north on the afternoon of an unusually clear December day in the Willamette Valley in 2009.
Portland and Western GP9 locomotive 1801 leads the American Turn north on Fourth Street in Harrisburg, Oregon, on December 21, 2009.
Portland and Western GP9 locomotive 1801 leads the American Turn north between Junction City and Albany, Oregon, on December 21, 2009. The locomotive's colors were inspired by the "black widow" paint of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls north near Junction City, Oregon, under swirling clouds on the winter solstice in 2009. GP9 locomotive 1801 leads the train.
Recent logging in Oregon's Coast Range provided a clear view of the Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler negotiating an s-curve on December 29, 2009.
Hoar frost clings to the trees and tracks at milepost 722, just east of Blodgett, Oregon, on the Portland and Western's Toledo District where the Toledo Hauler approaches on December 29, 2009.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls east at Harris, Oregon, framed by the covered bridge over the Marys River on the drab winter day of December 29, 2009.
Portland and Western Railroad GP39-2 locomotive 2315 leads the American Turn north near Junction City, Oregon, on February 5, 2010.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls north past a mill on the Oregon Electric District between Junction City and Albany on February 12, 2010.
Portland and Western's OE Express freight train heads south on the Oregon Electric District between Albany and Junction City on February 17, 2010.
Portland and Western's American Turn rolls north through a road crossing on the Oregon Electric District north of Junction City on February 17, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls into the morning sun approaching the end of its run at Albany, Oregon, on February 19, 2010.
Portland and Western's American Turn heads up with the Willamette Valley with three boxcars in tow on the morning of February 24, 2010.
Portland and Western's American Turn freight train at is namesake, the sprawling American paper mill just west of Halsey, Oregon, on February 24, 2010.
Portland and Western's American Turn freight train rolls up the Willamette Valley following a rain shower on the morning of February 25, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Marys River on a timber and steel trestle on March 7, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls west along the Yaquina River near its destination of Toledo, Oregon, as twilight settles over the Coast Range mountains on March 7, 2010.
Portland and Western's Willamina Turn rolls west with empty flatcars for the lumber mill at the end of the Willamina Branch, passing irrigation equipment in a field on May 27, 2010.
Portland and Western's Willamina Turn rolls east with loaded lumber cars, past a sprawling oak tree near Ballston, Oregon, on the evening of May 27, 2010.
The clouds glow at sunset about Whiteson, Oregon, as Portland and Western's Willamina Turn heads home with fourteen loaded lumber cars on May 27, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler curves east through the deep green of western Oregon's Coast Range mountains on June 10, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses the Yaquina River and heads into a tunnel in the Coast Range mountains on June 10, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls east through the Coast Range mountains along U.S. highway 20 on June 10, 2010.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler heads east through dense foliage along Nashville Road between Nortons and Nashville, Oregon, on June 10, 2010.
Portland and Western's Wauna Turn heads east on the Astoria Line along Beaver Creek with seven cars on October 14, 2010.
Portland and Western's Job 663 out of Vancouver, Washington, heads for BNSF Railway's Willamette River drawbridge on January 3, 2010.
Portland and Western switcher crossing the Willamette River between Milwaukie and Lake Oswego, Oregon, with a single covered hopper car to take back to the yard in Tigard on February 18, 2011. The boats carry sturgeon fisherman.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler is nothing but a blur as it rolls past a moss-covered tree as it rolls through the Coast Range mountains in western Oregon on March 26, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls east along Nashville Road behind four locomotives and two slugs between Nortons and Nashville, Oregon, on March 26, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler prepares to depart its namesake town near the Oregon coast at dawn on March 31, 2011.
Mist rises over the Coast Range as Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls east up the Yaquina River on the morning of March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler passes cows grazing in a field along the Yaquina River on March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls east up the Yaquina River, passing a backyard garden on March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler cuts through dense fog and misty on a gloomy morning in the Coast Range mountains on March 31, 2011.
Following a crew change in front of the Chitwood covered bridge, Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler continues its eastward trek on March 31, 2011.
With engineer Lou Thelen at the throttle, Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler negotiates reverse curves near Nashville, Oregon, in the Coast Range mountains on March 31, 2011.
Graffiti on a former Southern Pacific wood chip car offers good advice for life in western Oregon.
The Yaquina River is much smaller stream away from the tidal influence of the coast as Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler heads east on March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler runs east through the Coast Range along winding Nashville Road between Nortons and Nashville on March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler crosses a timber trestle while climbing the grade from Nashville to Summit, Oregon, on March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler approaches the crest of the grade over the Coast Range at Summit, Oregon, on March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train rolls east at Harris, Oregon, framed by the covered bridge over the Marys River on the early spring day of March 31, 2011.
Portland and Western Job 663 rolls south on the Union Pacific main line along the Willamette River in Oregon City, Oregon, on April 8, 2011. The track at far left heads into the Blue Heron paper mill in the background.
Portland and Western's Harbor Turn crosses Holcomb Creek trestle on June 17, 2011.
Portland and Western Railroad's train 663 crossing the Steel Bridge over the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Oregon, on July 8, 2011.
Portland and Western's Westsider freight train heads north past the aging wood elevator at Independence, Oregon, as the sun rises on March 18, 2016.
Wall mural honoring the logging heritage of Willamina, Oregon.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler rolls east along the Yaquina River near Elk City, Oregon, on March 20, 2016.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler curves east through western Oregon's Coast Range on March 20, 2016.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler freight train heading east up the Yaquina River past moss-covered trees on March 20, 2016.
Portland and Western's Toledo Hauler heads east past the Marys River Lumber mill in Philomath, Oregon, on March 20, 2016.
Portland and Western freight train 664 crossing the Willamette River between Lake Oswego and Milwaukie, Oregon, on March 21, 2016.