Amtrak Pioneer 25 - Motanic, OR August 14th 1996

The Amtrak Pioneer has just come over the Oregon Blues and is gliding down Old Emigrant Hill about 20 miles outside of La Grande, OR. Sadly, The Pioneer was discontinued in 1997.

[@krutherfurd]

I rode the Pioneer (and Desert Wind) as often as I could during this period and the trains were always full. Sadly, these trains were victims of politics. I'd love to see them come back and would definately ride them again often if they did. The UP route from Portland to Denver is one of my favorites. Thanks for your video - I only took slides and prints when I rode. You need the view your video provides to get the whole picture and it looks great!

[@LostOzarkRambler]

Nice bit of history there. Great video.

[@rwrynerson]

This is a reminder of what we're missing now! A movement has started to get this train back on the rails. I've posted some background in a new video and will forward this URL with mine to people working on it.

[@mafarnz]

That's cool! I've seen freights at this location. Wish we could get the Amtrak back.

[@Ih8kone]

Amtrak is currently discussing the possibility of restoration of the Pioneer.

[@MarceloBenoit-trenes]

Bring back the Pioneer and Desert Wind!

[@maddennis55]

This must have been a holiday train, longer than usual! Normally, it would be a single loco with four cars (coach-bagg/coach/diner/sleeper) plus a long distance thru baggage car. A former Amtrak agent in Boise once told me this train was cut because there was little ridership out of sw Idaho and east Oregon. They can't sell tickets on a sold-out train, and the train was usually packed by time it got here!

[@stingpower]

My wish list to see Amtrak start up again...1-Pioneer 2-Desert Wind and 3-Floridian(via ATL!!!!!)

[@jgd2338]

What about the North Coast Hiawatha?

[@876statestreet]

I hope the day comes when we see this train reinstated. Unless you're driving your own car, transportation to Eastern Oregon is slim pickens

[@salemcripple]

I don't know why the hell they canceled this route. I live in Oregon, and every time i rode this train it was packed full.

[@Cal90208]

The mandate that kept it funded expired. States had time to submit proposals for funding, none passed

[@mugshotesp]

@lotwyo Not bad for the long distance trains now of days

[@Ih8kone]

Amtrak is currently discussing the possibility of restoration of the Pioneer.

[@royalflush5000]

Still? I know they did a study 10 years ago, but I didn't know they were still discussing running this train again today.