Passengers of all ages peer out the windows of a vintage locomotive as they pass by views of Tillamook Bay, past lakes and beside the Pacific Ocean along the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad.

On rides between depots in Wheeler, Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, they see rock formations, great blue herons, fishermen and enthusiastic onlookers waving at the train.

The railroad offers a variety of rides throughout the year on its vintage diesel locomotives and its authentic steam locomotives.

As its signature ride, the Coastal Excursion is available from May to September and offers a 90-minute round trip. Evening journeys include the Moonlight Train, which is limited to ages 21 and over.

In the fall and winter, the railroad offers a family-friendly fall excursion, Halloween Coast Train and Candy Cane Express. When the days start getting longer and flowers begin to bloom, the railroad begins its spring excursion.

In addition to taking in the scenery, passengers get to learn about the history of the area, information about local wildlife and the importance of environmental conservation.

The Southern Pacific line was built between 1906 and 1911. The Port of Tillamook Bay later bought it and used it as a freight railroad until 2007, when a dramatic storm wiped out its connection to Portland.

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad founder, Scott Wickert, and volunteers had already started operating the tourist attraction with a steam train in 2003. Since the Great Coastal Gale of 2007 left the Tillamook branch isolated, it became the sole organization to use the line.

Now, recreational rides have grown in popularity, offering passengers an experience of going back in time to the era when train travel was in its prime.