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‘Train robbery’ takes riders back in time

The Columbian
Published: July 23, 2010, 12:00am

o What: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad “train robbery.” The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad takes passengers through the forests of north Clark County as they contend with costumed train robbers and lawmen.

o When: Noon and 2:30 p.m. July 24-25 and Aug. 21-22.

o Where: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, 207 S. Railroad Ave., Yacolt.

o Admission: $15; $14 for seniors 60 and older; $10 for children 5-11; $8 for children 2-4; free for children 1 and younger. Reservations are suggested.

o Information: http://www.bycx.com, 360-686-3559.

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad’s semi-annual “train robbery” captures the excitement of the days of notorious bandits Jesse James and Butch Cassidy, but without all the danger and bloodshed. The outlaws who will storm the vintage diesel train this weekend are volunteers wielding guns filled with blanks, and the sheriff and deputy are ready to step in and save the day.

The first of this summer’s train robbery events will take place July 24 and 25 in Yacolt. The ride covers approximately 7 miles and winds through a 330-foot tunnel and the forests of north Clark County. It takes about an hour and a half, sometimes a bit longer. The train holds approximately 160 people in its four cars, which date from the 1940s to the 1960s.

o What: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad "train robbery." The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad takes passengers through the forests of north Clark County as they contend with costumed train robbers and lawmen.

o When: Noon and 2:30 p.m. July 24-25 and Aug. 21-22.

o Where: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, 207 S. Railroad Ave., Yacolt.

o Admission: $15; $14 for seniors 60 and older; $10 for children 5-11; $8 for children 2-4; free for children 1 and younger. Reservations are suggested.

o Information: http://www.bycx.com, 360-686-3559.

Train robbery rides, along with Headless Horseman excursions at Halloween and Christmas tree runs, are among the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad’s most popular offerings, said special events organizer Bill Young.

“Everyone is having such a good time,” said Young, who lives outside Battle Ground. The authentic feel of the event adds to the appeal, he said.

The ride begins peacefully enough. Volunteers give passengers Mardi Gras beads and fake gold coins, and then the train roars out of Chelatchie Prairie Railroad’s station.

But as it approaches Moulton Station, things take a turn for the worse. Masked bandits pop out from the bushes and ride up on horseback. They board the train, take a hostage and steal the beads, coins and contents of a strongbox. Sometimes the hostage is a planted volunteer, but other times an unsuspecting passenger is chosen. It’s up to the sheriff and his deputy to catch the lawless rascals.

“You get people coming on board, the kids get excited about it, and it’s just a lot of fun,” said Paul Nasiatka of Gresham, Ore., volunteer train conductor and brakeman.

After the robbery, the train continues on its journey. On the way back, it stops at Moulton Station. There, people can chat with the robbers and lawmen, take photos with them, and ride their horses. They also can walk down to Big Tree Creek Falls.

The train robberies are as fun for the volunteers as they are for the riders.

“I just like to entertain people,” said Dana Bourn, a truck driver from Yacolt who leads the gang of robbers. “I have fun with it. It gives me something to do with my horses.”

Bourn has recruited at least four friends and coworkers to play robbers with him this weekend. Working to bring Bourn’s troupe to justice will be Gary Mack and George Mattson.

This will be the fifth year Mack, an avid horseman from Battle Ground, has played the sheriff. Mack, who also leads business presentation workshops, will ride Trouble, his palomino paint mare.

“It’s entertaining for the kids,” Mack said.

Mattson, a retired freight train conductor who lives east of Battle Ground, also enjoys being an entertainer. Mattson, who’s active in the local equestrian community, will play the deputy at this weekend’s robbery events. He owns an old-time photo studio business called Days Gone Bye, so dressing in period costume and acting out scenes from history is a good fit for his interests.

“I do this because I like to be around people having fun,” he said. “Everybody from the little kids to the adults, they all have big grins on their faces like possums eating peanut butter.”

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