YACOLT — The old train lumbered south from Yacolt, along Yacolt Creek, deeper into the woods, menaced the whole way by a spectral rider atop a dark horse, a rider with no head.
The train moved through the thickening ferns and firs, the path rent pitch black as it passed through a tunnel cut into the hillside, yet the ghastly horseman continued following.
The train pulled into a station near Yacolt Falls, where the riders took shelter from the rider and the rain as thunder cracked above — and their kids got pictures with the Headless Horseman.
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad turned its old steam train trip through north Clark County into a spooky and scenic ride, with costumes, candy and Headless Horseman ahead of Halloween, as the nonprofit train restoration and enthusiast group has done for years.
The noon train pulled into Moulton Station just as Sunday’s heavy rains began.
Volunteers had cookies, candy and warm drinks for riders.
Gayathari Zeithaml was watching her three young children dig through a hay pile, built by volunteers, for candies and coins.
Her family moved to Camas from North Carolina just a few months ago, and she heard about the train ride online.
“They love it, especially the boys,” she said while Jaiman, 8, dressed as a shark, Milan, 5, dressed as a “PAW Patrol” character, and Leela, 3, dressed as a witch, hunted for treats.
“We were told that our neighborhood’s really fun for Halloween, so we’re really excited about that,” Zeithaml said.
Brian Zeithaml, her husband, pointed out the full train cars, and was a bit surprised.
“Everybody sort of told us about this, even down in Camas and the Vancouver area,” he said. “People come up here to see it.”
Halloween rides are done for the year, but regular programming continues each weekend. The organization will have Christmas-themed rides, with Santa and package ticket deals that include competitively priced trees, starting in November.
Learn more about the railroad at www.BYCX.org.
