The PNWR’s “Hauler” arrives on Water Avenue on Friday night, July 24, 2026.
While we’re on the subject of trains, let’s have brief look at one of the many freight trains rolling through different parts of Albany on most days.
The bike and I happened to be on Water Avenue downtown on Friday night:
This Portland & Western Railroad train comes through town on most weeknights and sometimes on Saturday too. Then, from what I have seen, it makes the return trip later that same night.
On this Friday, the northbound train was unusually early. I have often seen it coming through town about 9 p.m., give or take half an hour or so.
The train is known as the Albany Hauler. It runs on the old Oregon Electric Railway line between Eugene and Albany, or more precisely between Eugene and the Millersburg yard.
I’ve seen a YouTube video that says the Albany Hauler leaves from the “Bethel Street Yard” in Eugene. On Google maps, though, the yard alongside Bethel Drive in Eugene is labeled the Union Pacific Eugene Yard.
This is what railroaders call a “manifest” train, meaning its consists of cars containing different kinds of freight.
No doubt that is more than you wanted to read. Well, it was free, wasn’t it? (hh)
This little story has been edited to get rid of what a commenter below has pointed out were mistakes in the original version.
Please use correct info and do a little research instead of using Google’s AI slop to write it. Most of the information in this article is wildly incorrect. I am very disappointed in your research and investigating skills with this article. You are confusing 2 separate trains, the Albany Hauler and the Eugene Hauler which start in 2 different locations in Eugene and turn in 2 different yards in Albany. There are multiple facebook groups with retired engineers that could help you. I read your articles for their timeliness, viewpoint and accuracy. This article is none of those things. Please do better.
Dear Engineer, if you have a better source, why not just tell us about that?
Thanks. How about explaining the two different trains so we can all learn something?
So Hasso was incorrect on a couple things. No reason to be an angry old engineer about it. Like he says, please explain.
Hasso stated, “If you ask Google AI about this train…” and mentioned nothing about the factual nature of said statement.
Why anyone in their right mind would look on Facebook for anything is beyond the pale.
Yes, I agree. Facebook is not the site to look for anything of substance.
That shows EXACTLY how short sighted you are.
There are many Facebook groups that have a lot of substance. I personally moderate a high school & Old School (my home town) . Both are basically nostalgic sites, since the high school closed in 1971. The other requires you have lived there >50 years ago. One about 300 members and the other 9.4k.
The op stated their are groups of people that would possess that knowledge. Of course the rest of that response was pretty stupid, but they weren’t totally wrong.
I’m curious how your hateful response will totally miss the mark, proving my point.
And Hasso ended with “…Well, it was free, wasn’t it?”
Sure glad you didn’t wake up on the wrong side of the bed. I also question your alleged qualifications. A real engineer would have the ability to read and understand.
Oh my….how does a nice train story end up a verbal fist fight…Only on facebook…