Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation

Oregon Rail Heritage Center provides for the preservation, operation and public enjoyment of three historic steam locomotives that were donated to the City of Portland by their respective railroads in 1958, at the end of the steam era. One of these, the SP 4449, pulled the American Freedom Train around the country during the nation's Bicentennial celebration in 1974-75. In addition to the Portland locomotives, we maintain and operate two vintage diesel switcher locomotives and have been designated by the Oregon Historical Society to be permanent owners of the Mount Emily Shay No. 1. The Shay will form the core of an evolving exhibit about the essential role played by railroads in building Oregon's logging economy. Historical railroad equipment and artifacts are on display throughout our museum and rail yard. We strive to bring the Pacific Northwest's rich and diverse railroad history alive for our visitors. We are a free museum, open 4 days per week. We are staffed by volunteers who are committed to and passionate about our mission. More than 35,000 people visit the museum each year. We host regular events for members that feature speakers and presentations focused on local railroad history. We showcase both permanent and temporary exhibits. We sill soon complete our latest and most massive exhibitthe completely restored 99-year-old Brooklyn Turntable. Originally operating in the Southern Pacific (now Union Pacific) Brooklyn Railyard a few miles south of the museum, the turntable was dismantled and moved to our current location when our building opened in 2012. Rehabilitating the Carnegie steel turntable bridge and its moving parts will stretch at least five years, culminating in a Grand ReOpening in fall 2023. In addition to its educational function, the turntable will expedite movement of locomotives and rail equipment inside the Enginehouse and in the railyard.

Holiday Express is our foundation's signature event and chief fundraiser. For four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Holiday Express excursion trains carry sold-out crowds--mostly families with young children. Vintage rail cars, decorated and lighted inside and out, are pulled by one of the organization's steam locomotives or, in recent years, by a logging steam locomotive on loan to the museum. Passengers enjoy holiday-themed music and displays inside the Enginehouse while waiting to board. The museum's gift shop is open, and hot chocolate and cookies are sold. Each of the 80 or so runs travels 45 minutes along the Springwater Corridor next to the Willamette River south to Oaks Amusement Park and back. Inside the train, Santa and his elves dispense holiday cheer and candy canes to riders of all ages. Some 150 volunteers work tirelessly to create a memorable holiday experience for more than 19,000 riders. While Holiday Express anchors our year-end offerings, the Oregon Rail Heritage Center also operates weekend train excursions from March through October. Traveling the same route as the Holiday Express, these outings offer open-air cars and themed celebrations. The motive power for these rides can be steam or diesel, depending on the excursion's theme.