Ione, Washington "The Great Train Ride"

The North Pend Oreille Valley ( pronounced Ponderay) Lions Club and the Pend Oreille Valley

Railroad (POVA) have united to operate several weekend excursion rides along the

Pend Oreille River to Metiline Falls Washington. There are several tunnels and bridges

along the way. I was fortunate enough to take one of their excursions.

This is our porter...

and our Miss Jody is ready to go....

...and our Miss Joey is already digging into her box lunch....

The train has three classic railroad cars, three open-air stock cars and a caboose.

The 20 mile trip takes about one and a half hours.

We chose a stock car to ride in....and here is Jody, Butch and Tom.

...and here is Butch, Jody and Joey....

This view is from the Box Canyon Bridge

Mr. Tom grinning from ear to ear....

Tom and Patty have joined the Lion's club and help out on these train rides.

Now we know why dogs love to stick their heads out the car window...

.....It has been said that the "Cutter" Gang has been known to rob the train....and guess what???? they did.

All the money taken is donated to the Arts Department of Metiline Falls.

One of the old trestles bridges......

This (11 year old) young man was telling Tom some jokes and making Tom blush!!!

GO FIGURE......

The Inland Empire Spokane Model T Club attended the same excursion and it was great fun seeing some of these old cars....

This lady was dressed in a duster, scarf and goggles of the era.....talked to her and she said it was in defense......because their car had a windshield for the drivers side, but not the passenger.....

she said she didn't smile a lot while driving....

It's pretty sad when the car that you rode in as a teen-age is now being called a friggin antique....

...and this old fire engine needs Sadie.

Patty stayed behind and worked at the station......