Rail Heritage Center hosts fun and educational ‘Train Day’

INCLUDES LIVELY RAILROADING VIDEO | Discover why the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation puts on this annual event, which attracts so many outer East Portland folks …

-1 It’s ‘Train Day’ once again at East Portland’s Oregon Rail Heritage Center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

It was ‘all aboard’ for a one-of-a-kind celebration of transportation history as the Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) again put on a full day of historic steam and diesel locomotives, exhibits – and of course, train rides – all to commemorate ‘National Train Day’ on Saturday, May 10th.

Inside the ORHC Enginehouse, guests were asking questions of the mechanics who keep these towering locomotives running, and looked over the exhibits that tell the history of railroading here in the Pacific Northwest.

Welcoming guests to ‘Train Day’ are ORHF President Rick Franklin and Operations Committee Chair (and SP 4449 volunteer of 30+ years) Pat Tracy. ORHF Vice President Roger Woehl is the happy photo-bomber providing the “rabbit ears” for Franklin and Tracy.

“We’re all thrilled to be celebrating ‘Train Day’ here at the ORHC,” welcomed Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) President Rick Franklin.

“Historically, this day celebrates when the ‘Golden Spike’ was driven 156 years ago, to join east and west, as the tracks first crossed our entire nation: Railroads tying this country together,” Franklin told East Portland News.

See highlights of the ORHF’s 2025 ‘Train Day’ in our video:

“What’s important about this day is helping kids learn the importance of railroad services to the economy of our nation,” explained Franklin.

“The fact is, railroads still haul freight from one end of this country to the other, and keep commerce viable, and rolling along,” he punned, with a twinkle in his eye.

Little locomotive engineer Harold “drives” in the cab of the miniature locomotive display – as his mom, Liz Johnson, looks on.

Also, inside the Enginehouse that day were:

Model railroad displays, showcasing intricate train layouts
Information tables staffed by rail-focused partners, including Operation Lifesaver, Willow Creek Railroad, the Union Pacific, Friends of the Washington Park and Zoo Railway, Santiam Excursions, and the Albany & Eastern Railroad
Hands-on activities for kids to explore

As the ORHC campus nears completion, guests took note of the historic, salvaged rails, set in the Front Plaza’s pavers, and the working semaphores, a wig-wag signal, searchlights – all operating with the push of a button.

These visitors are marveling at the size and specifications of this Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700 locomotive “tire”, now mounted upright in the Plaza.

Also in the Plaza, their historic locomotive bell now hangs in a tower, and a “tire” – the band of steel from around the wheel of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700 locomotive – is upright, and on display.

Guests watch as the Union Pacific’s 1616 President Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Locomotive takes a circular spin on the ORHC turntable.

As a special presentation, Union Pacific Railroad showed off its Locomotive No. 1616, a commemorative locomotive honoring President Abraham Lincoln – the man who signed the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, authorizing construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Look at the line of guests on the north side of the Enginehouse, admiring the “steamed up” Southern Pacific 4449 locomotive, which was open for cabin tours.

The Polson No. 2 steam locomotive pulls out of the ORHC, pulling another load of riders on an excursion on the rails through Oaks Bottom.

Every 90 minutes, their 113-year-old Polson Logging Company No. 2 steam locomotive sounded its whistle, signaling another scenic journey along the Willamette River on the rails to Oaks Park and back.

“It’s also the opportunity for us to ‘show off’ this Rail Center, started by a group of us 12 years ago, with the vision of keeping our historic steam locomotives from being scrapped – and indeed, keeping them still operating!

“It’s wonderful that, here, we can show the next generation how steam locomotives work,” Franklin said. “The best part of all this is watching the kids who walk in – and seeing their eyes open wide in wonder, as they behold our locomotives ‘steamed up’.”

There’s always lots to see and do at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center!

To learn more about the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, located near the foot of the Tilikum Crossing bridge and near OMSI, see their official website at CLICK HERE.

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