Steam Train Rides in Portland

[steve_relei]

Press Release

"Portland's Steam Locomotives Help Celebrate Trail Opening with Rides"

Last Updated Tuesday, June 10, 2003

Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2003

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Before contacting, please read the Frequently Asked Questions

[email protected]

Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation

PO Box 42443

Portland, OR 97242

What:

Historic Steam Locomotive Rides for Springwater on the Willamette Grand Opening

When:

Saturday, June 28th 9:30am-8:30pm only

Where:

Springwater on the Willamette Trail

SE 4th Avenue & Division Place

SE Spokane at Sellwood Waterfront Park

The Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation is planning a major public awareness event in conjunction with the City of Portland's Grand Opening celebration for the Springwater on the Willamette Trail. This newly opened trail runs from OMSI to Oaks Park along the Oregon Pacific Railroad. Portland's two steam locomotives will be pulling a special passenger train to celebrate the Grand Opening from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm on June 28th. The two engines will take turns pulling trains all day Saturday until 8:30 pm. Trains will embark from SE 4th and Division Place and Sellwood Waterfront Park on Portland's eastside.

The Springwater on the Willamette Grand Opening is a rare opportunity to ride and see the Southern Pacific 4449 ( the American Freedom Train) and the Spokane, Portland and Seattle 700, two of the largest operating steam locomotives in the country.

The Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) is a private non-profit organization formed by a coalition of locomotive volunteers and community members. Its mission is to find a permanent home for the locomotives, save the Brooklyn Roundhouse and build a rail museum. Member organizations of the ORHF include: Friends of Oregon Railroad & Navigation 197, Friends of the Southern Pacific 4449 Inc., Pacific Railroad Preservation Association - Spokane Portland & Seattle 700, Northwest Rail Museum, Pacific Northwest Chapter of National Railway Historical Society, Brooklyn Action Corps, and Portland Parks & Recreation. All ticket sale proceeds will go towards achieving the ORHF's mission.

One-way ticket prices are $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under twelve years old. Tickets will be sold for specific one-way trips at SE 4th and Division Place and trackside at Sellwood Waterfront Park. Parking for the event is limited. Concessions will be sold at 4th Avenue for the Friends of the 4449, Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (700) and the ORHF. Operation LifeSaver will also join the 4th Avenue Station area and make presentations on safety around railroads.

Join this historic fundraiser for the ORHF and have a great train ride! Register on the ORHF website to receive the very latest updates at www.orhf.org. The Springwater on the Willamette Grand Opening is a collaboration of Portland Parks & Recreation, Metro Parks and community organizations including the ORHF. This event is made possible with the help of Oregon Pacific Railroad, Portland & Western Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad and other ORHF sponsors.

For further information, please read the Springwater Event Frequently Asked Questions and visit Portland Parks & Recreation's official Springwater on the Willamette Grand Opening website.

This is a chance for people to see, ride, photograph, and enjoy these big, historic steam locomotives in action. The line--the former East Portland Traction--is also historic (1903) and quite scenic (along Willamette River). Take advantage of this if you can. Amtrak (& UP freights) goes by near the SE 4th Avenue & Division Place platform. Samtrak will also be operating.

 

[F40PHR231]

Umm, Samtrak doesn't run anymore. However, we'll be using their cars... F40 #231 will also be down there. Should be a lot of fun!

 

[steve_relei]

It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed seeing the steam locomotives--they pulled southward to Sellwood and pushed backward--and seeing trains on that line, which is highly scenic. I enjoyed seeing the other railroad equipment that was there.

Thanks to all involved.

 

[amtrakadirondack]

Samtrak will also be operating.

What in the heck is Samtrak? :blink: :blink: :blink:

 

[steve_relei]

Samtrak was a "kiddie" train operated by the Oregon and Pacific Railroad (a short line) from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) three miles south to Oaks Park near the Sellwood Bridge (southeast Portland across the Willamette River from downtown). The line was completed in 1903 and was a trolley line from East Portland through Sellwood to Gresham and Estacada--one line diverted south to Oregon City. Passenger service was discontinued in 1958. Freight service continued until about 1990. The segment from East Portland to north Milwaukie is still in service, servicing several food processing companies, and the rest of it is now a bike/hike trail. From East Portland to Sellwood, the rails and the trail parallet each other.

The Samtrak train consisted of a small locomotive and an open-air car and a caboose. The fare was $5 each way. The line is very scenic: it travels along the east side of the Willamette River with panoramic views, passes through several wetland and other wildlife preserves, past Ross Island. Oaks Park is an amusement park that was in fact built originally by the East Portland Traction Company to lure passengers onto its trains.

 

[F40PHR231]

Steve_relei got it right, however, "Samtrak" no longer runs. It quit 2 years ago.

What we did on June 28th, was do the same thing Samtrak did, except with a real locomotive! SP 4449 and SP&S 700, a few more cars, was a blast!

 

[steve_relei]

is true that Samtrak doesn't run anymore; I did not mean to suggest that it did. I was just explaining what it was and the line that it traveled. It would be nice if it could be reinstated sometime; it is a scenic route. I got to ride the train behind SP&S 700. The train went slowly, I would love to see it out on open track to where it can open the throttle and run at full steam. Maybe some day.

It should also be noted that this is 2003, and the line was built and put into service (as a trolley line) in 1903, making this the 100th anniversary of it. It is still a historical line and historical area in which it served, and people still seem to have fond memories of it.

At one time, the line went all the way out to Gresham and to Estacada--not only trolleys but electrified freight trains also. It was as interesting route. Most of the route can still be followed by bike or foot on the trail that parallels it and/or that occupies the original route.