It was September 2001, and the final season for Samtrak was coming to a close. I'd been conductor on the little open-air tourist train for a little over a year, and now the train was being discontinued. I'd be out of a job. The last run came and went with little fanfare. The train was sold out, and there was a little emotion as we rolled into the Sellwood station for the last time, but little did I know that this last run would lead to something much bigger and better at the Willamette Shore Trolley.

It's kind of funny, really, looking back on it. On that last run of Samtrak, I was introduced to Rod Cox, the General Manager of the Willamette Shore Trolley. I'd heard about the trolley across the river, even saw it once when driving through their home terminal of Lake Oswego, Oregon. I had never, however, gone over and taken the 13 mile round trip along the Willamette River. We talked quite a bit during the run and he even offered me a ride on their last run of the season which took place that same afternoon.

After dropping our passengers (and Rod) at Sellwood, we took the train down to the yard and tied it down for the last time. I then got into Rod's car and we drove to Riverplace where I boarded the trolley -- a double-decker tram built in 1902 for Blackpool Trams in Blackpool, England. On the 45 minute ride between Riverplace and Lake Oswego I became hooked on this new line. Once at Lake Oswego, Rod met me at the station and we talked for quite awhile. During that conversation I somehow committed myself to working for him on the track crew, or the section. That was my last encounter with Rod and the W.S.T. until the next spring.

One early spring morning, Rod called me on the phone and told me the track crew was going out on the line and working on replacing some track bolts and asked me if I'd be able to join them. Of course I would! I raced down to the Lake Oswego carbarn where I met the crew. We worked all day and into the night on replacing old worn out bolts.

Several weekends were spent on this project. When we were finished, Rod approached me and asked if I'd consider being the Assistant Roadmaster. That's second in charge of entire Maintenance of Way department! I was thrilled to say the least.

I also during that time met our Roadmaster, Ron Vandehey. A friendly guy with an outrageous sense of humor, Ron is willing to help you when you need it, and not afraid to tell you what he really thinks of you. Ron joined the WST back when the operation was out at the Glenwood Trolley Park back in the 1980's. I was quickly shown his trademark Nathan P-3 Airchimes that he mounted on his pride and joy Fairmont MT19 Speeder, which he'll gladly demonstrate for anyone who cares to listen. (He loves to brag how they are the same type of horns that were used on Southern Pacific's SD9s.) He enjoys railroading so much he even works on manufacturing real railcars for Gunderson in Portland. Ron and I hit it off great from the beginning and are now very good friends.

Between that Spring of 2002 and the Summer of 2003, I continued my role as assistant roadmaster and worked very hard to make sure all work was getting done correctly. This included a variety of jobs - from little ones such as cutting brush along the line to the major jobs such as changing out ties & rails and even building a 75 foot extension to the end of track at Lake Oswego (which we accomplished in less than a week using all volunteer labor!) One of my favorite jobs is changing out rails. This involves pulling the old spikes, plugging the old spike holes, unbolting and removing the old rail, installing the replacement rail, then liningup, spiking and rebolting the rail, and finally tamping any areas to smooth the roadbed.

Then it happened.... the unthinkable. Ron called me aside one day and told me that he was having back pains and that his doctor said that surgery was going to be needed. This meant he'd be unable to do any kind of railroad work for quite awhile while his back healed post surgery. I offered to step up and make sure all work would continue to get done in his absence. Shortly after, I found myself appointed as "Acting Roadmaster", to last until Ron's return sometime in 2004.

Ron's back surgery has since happened and he is now in recovery mode. All signs point to a good recovery and our whole crew is hoping he has a speedy recovery. We can't wait to hear them Nathan Airchimes ringing again!

Brian R. Sopke, in addition to his activities for the Willamette Shore Trolley, is a brakeman trainee with the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad. He has been known to represent himself in court and make good friends move 18 foot bridge ties on short notice. Brian can be reached at sopke@solidnet.com. This is his first byline for NWOR.