I awoke to a bright and cold January day the morning of my interview with Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation’s (ORHF) president, Doyle McCormack. Mr. McCormack is also the president of Friends of Southern Pacific (SP) 4449, a beautifully restored steam engine which is maintained by ORHF in a roundhouse in the Portland, Oregon area. I had been keenly anticipating meeting with Mr. McCormack since I first encountered another ORHF restored engine, Spokane, Portland and Seattle (SP&S) 700 shortly after I moved to the area in 2004.

For a railfan such as myself, the local visit of a restored engine as well-maintained as SP&S 700 is a real treat. The annual Christmas run made by SP&S 700 to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington fully decorated for the holiday is anticipated by young and old train enthusiasts in the area as a harbinger of Christmas. It has not snowed enough to stick for any of the SP&S 700 visits since I have been here. Still the holiday spirit pervades the railyard when Santa waves from the train.

It was with this background that I chose to make my semester project related to ORHF and its efforts to continue its train restorations while trying to raise funds for a permanent home.

I learned in my interview with Mr. McCormack there are many reasons for the need to establish a new home, not least of which is the fact the roundhouse and buildings used by ORHF are leased and are technically on railroad property. This means the property could be sold out from under them by the railroad or by the municipality at any time. This is not likely to happen any time soon, but ORHF cannot remain complacent.

I also learned from him that they are hoping to establish a railroad and restoration museum. As a part of this effort they would disassemble the roundhouse and reassemble it on the site of the new museum. Their fundraising efforts continue in the face of these prospects.

I also got a chance to visit the roundhouse and see the restoration and maintenance work in progress at the roundhouse. Being one of the rare below-freezing days in this area, there were actually icicles hanging from the static engines in mid-repair and restoration. This just emphasized for me the quiet chill of the unheated roundhouse. It is hard to explain the feeling of near reverence train lovers feel when they get close to these powerful beauties, but it is undeniably real.

Next time: Why so circumspect?