Run-time: 1h 15mins approx.

In this programme we follow the route of the mighty Columbia River in the north-west corner of the United States, along which the mainlines of the Union Pacific and BNSF Railroads run. Huge amounts of freight are carried on these two tracks to and from Portland where much then goes aboard ships to continue its journey across the Pacific Ocean. We also witness numerous scenes of Union Pacific’s 4-8-4 no: 844 traveling west at the head of the Portland Rose tour, between Huntingdon and The Dalles in Oregon.

Our first section covers the route between Memaloose and The Columbia Hills State Park, as BNSF and UP freight trains head along the river banks through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge, formed out of basalt rock around 17 million years ago. Dash-9 C44CWs, SD70 and AC45CE are just three of the loco classes seen amidst the sun-scorched wilderness.

The Mount Hood Railroad is visited at the City of Hood River, where GP9, GP38, SD40, AC45CCTE, Dash-9s and SD70M are seen between here and Columbia Hills State Park.

Our next section features the lines as they run eastwards towards Roosevelt, BNSF Dash-9 44CWs and SD75M provide the majority of the motive power as unit coal trains, autoracks and long manifests are seen running beneath the steep valley sides.

Union Pacific’s mighty 4-8-4 steam locomotive no: 844 is featured in our next section as we follow the locomotive as it heads west over the Union Pacific route from Huntingdon to Hood River. The loco is seen tackling the steep grades and is passed by a number of UP freights along this busy main line. In all, nine shots of the locomotive are included in this programme. The locomotive is seen at Lime, Oxman summit, Hot Lake, Kamela summit, Mission, Le Page Park, Wasco and at MCClure Lake.

We also include in the programme four taster shots of trains which will be included in the next two volumes of American Railway. We see double-stack container trains on the Marias Pass route, across the long bridge at Sandpoint, Idaho, and finally at West Malaga, Washington.