ELGIN — The Eagle Cap Excursion Train will not run this season because of the pandemic, officials said. When considering the average age of passengers and volunteers, the enclosed and close environment on the train, Friends of the Joseph Branch board members voted unanimously not to run. Instead, they will concentrate this year on making further improvements to the equipment, work with the Wallowa Union Rail Authority to upgrade the tracks, and lay the groundwork for the 2021 season.

“A majority of our passengers are of the population most vulnerable to the virus and it would be difficult to keep the social distance parameter during the trips, while carrying enough passengers to cover costs,” said Ed Spaulding, board president and engineer. “As always, our top priority is the health and safety of passengers and volunteers, and to ensure they have an enjoyable experience. We believe the best way to achieve that is to delay all activity until the virus is under control.”

The train runs on a roadless stretch of track between Elgin and Minam in Northeast Oregon and follows the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers.

The nonprofit Friends of the Joseph Branch operates the Eagle Cap Excursion Train and the Elgin Depot for the Wallowa Union Railroad, the two-county partnership that owns the historic Joseph Branch line and its assets.