The Coos Bay Subdivision of the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad was originally built by the Southern Pacific.  It originally ran from Eugene in the Willamette Valley to just east of Florence on the coast, where it turned south to Reedsport, North Bend, Coquille, Myrtle Point and terminated at Powers.  Today the rails stop at Coquille.  The area surrounding Coos Bay was once one of the largest lumber producing areas in Oregon.   With the decline of the

timber industry many of the mills are gone

and rail traffic has been reduced to just one

train a day.

    Because the railroad is active, extreme

caution must by used when riding the line.

Schedules  will vary from the official time

tables and it is imperative to check on a daily

basis.  Generally, trains run from Eugene to

Cordes (Coos Bay) on Sunday, Tuesday and

Thursday, and return on Monday, Wednesday

and Friday.  Normally, there are no trains on

Saturday, but of course, there are exceptions

to all rules and maintenance crews can be

expected any time.  Waiting to ride until the

daily train passes is the safest proceedure.

     There are many sections of the line which

are virtually isolated.  Only a few scattered

farms or cabins may be seen and your only

encounter may be fishermen.  Choose your

segment carefully, and be very discreet.

Remember, trespassing is breaking the law.

Proceed at your own risk!

Subdivision

One of the most beautiful lines

in the Pacific Northwest, the Coos Bay Branch crosses mountains,

follows streams, runs along the shores of lakes and salt water inlets, hides itself amidst lush forests and skirts towering

costal sand dunes.  There are tunnels, bridges and many long trestles.

by Peter

Coos Bay

Top:  One of the many steel bridges crossing the Siuslaw River between Swiss Home and Richardson along the Old Stage Road between Eugene and Florence.  Above:  Lilly pads clog one of the inlets along the shores of Siltcoos Lake between Florence and Reedsport.  There are nine tunnels on

the line, the longest is 4,184 feet!

Above:  Birch and Lupine line the tracks along the shores of Siltcoos Lake.  Right:  Early morning overcast colors the water a murky green, aided by heavy concentrates of algae in the shallow inlets.

There are numerous trestles along

the many lakes, some so long you

hesitate to start across them.

Not all have walkways

and guard railings.

Right:  Most of the bridges crossing the Siuslaw were built between 1906 and 1913.  Interestingly, all have their own style and personality.

An abandoned line runs from Gardener Jct. to Gardener just north of Reedsport which served a paper plant.

It was called the

Longview, Portland & Northern Rwy.

The plant has  just been demolished (5-26-02) and the rails will probably be removed soon. At right, the LP&N  crosses the Smith River which broadens into wide tidal sloughs.

Left:  A welcome grotto of cold mountain water cascades into a clear pool next to the roadbed.

Below:  Mile after mile of bright  yellow Scotch Broom borders the tracks in early Spring on the Longview,  Portland & Northern Rwy.

Above:  This fairly well maintained bridge is a contrast to most ot the unpainted and rusting crossings.

Right:  Deep in a forest of Pine,

Cedar, Cypress,  Maple and Birch,

one almost expects to see the "little people".

One of the few wooden trestles that crosses a gap over land,  this one is in the South Slough section between

Cushman and Siboco.  Again, the Scotch Broom is in full bloom.

Because of the mild costal environment the

country is lush with vegetation. You can be

shivering in a foggy drizzle one moment and

basking in the warm sunshine the next.

Diversity in climate and scenery make this

a very special route.

Click the photo

to visit the

Coos Bay Photo Album