The Mount Hood Railroad Offers Some Of The Most Breathtaking Views In Oregon
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 28, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
When you live in a place like Oregon, surrounded by natural beauty, it can be easy to lose sight of just how extraordinary the state really is. Sometimes we all need a reminder to stop and smell the roses (or, in our case, cherry blossoms). And the Mount Hood Railroad is the perfect place to do just that. This charming passenger train is a big dose of nostalgia; an experience that will send you back to a simpler time. And while the train itself is utterly delightful, it’s the scenery on these excursions that you’ll remember most. The Mount Hood Railroad is one of the best train rides in the USA that offers some of the most breathtaking views in Oregon, and is the perfect way to relish the resplendence of our state’s scenery.
Hood River is located along the eponymous Oregon river, in the shadow of the state's majestic Mt. Hood.
The Union Pacific acquired the line in 1968 for fruit and lumber transportation; but, as local industries switched to truck-based transportation, freight on the Mount Hood line dwindled, and the Union Pacific proposed abandoning the railroad altogether.
Today, the Mount Hood Railroad offers a variety of excursions year-round, taking Oregonians through some of the most breathtaking areas around the Hood River Valley.