Sunny Sunday at the Roundhouse

Bright sunlight and warm temperatures greeted my last visit to one of my favorite places to visit. A warm Sunday afternoon brings lots of volunteers to the roundhouse in the Portland, Oregon area. Yesterday was a hopping day, but I did get to speak with Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation’s (ORHF’s) Vice-President, Robert Slover. Mr. Slover is a quiet man, but this barely hides his passion for trains. I understand that passion.

I asked Mr. Slover if any excursions are scheduled for any of ORHF. “Not right now,” he replied. He encouraged me to stay tuned, as that could quickly change. Among the issues that limit ORHF excursions are track availability, locomotive availability, and insurance for excursions. There has been an increase in cargo trains on area tracks, making excursions harder to schedule. “Insurance is not cheap,” he adds. His description of the trip planning process made it clear it takes quite some time and lots of patience to put them together.

In the meantime, he invites those interested in discovering more about ORHF’s trains and roundhouse to visit the www.orhf.org website to see their important work in progress.

Keith's Been Working on the Rail Cars . . .

Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) member Keith Fleschner is a busy man. As a restorer of passenger cars for a non-profit organization responsible for maintaining historic trains, he understands his place in the overall process. Although his job is not as high profile as people who work on locomotives, it is still important. On days he can contribute time to work on passenger cars at the ORHF roundhouse near Portland, Oregon, he is unflaggingly on task. He helps the group prepare for upcoming excursions and shows. These events are opportunities to share their hard work with other train lovers. They are also how ORHF brings in funding for a future steam train museum and roundhouse in Portland, Oregon.

Keith keeps busy at his work while patiently answering questions about trains, the restoration process, and himself. He points out the areas where his current project will be repaired and restored after the past season’s runs. “Rail cars are just like houses,” he offers, “you can always find something to do if you look for it.” It is easy to see he is working on both the inside and outside of his current passenger car. He shows seat bolts needing tightening and electrical wiring problems resulting from converting this car from direct current to alternating current. He takes his job seriously.

Asked how he became involved in train restoration, Keith smiles. “About ten years ago, a friend of mine, who was really into trains, asked if I would like to come to the roundhouse and learn how to work on one. How could I say no?” he chuckles. “Here I still am.” He points at the car. “I still learn new things all the time.”

To get involved with the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, to experience past excursions, to find out about future trips and shows, or to see pictures of their work, visit www.orhf.org. ORHF’s newsletter is available for online download at that site. You can also support the Foundation’s efforts to build the museum and roundhouse.

Unrelated, But Interesting, Truck Train

Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation Brings Train Lovers Hope

Doyle McCormack is president of Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF), a group dedicated to restoring and running classic steam trains. Their annual schedule includes excursions throughout the spring and summer from their departure spot near Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon. The highlight of the year, and the group's major fundraising event are the Holiday Express trains. These excursions run Saturdays and Sundays from late November through mid-December. One of ORHF's steam engines, SP 4449 brings Santa to Portland to share candy and scenic rides with train loving children of all ages.

The purpose of the Holiday Express is to share and promote a love of stem trains. It is also used to raise funds for ORHF's planned rail museum and roundhouse (train maintenance facility). The new buildings and location are needed because the office space OHRF currently leases is the property of Union Pacific Railroad and the land used for the roundhouse is considered prime business development land and could be sold from under them at any time.

ORHF is currently restoring or maintaining three classic steam trains. Two of them, SP 4449 and SP&S 700, run well and are used for excursions throughout southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon to allow people to experience the fun of travel by steam train. A third engine, Oregon Rail and Navigation (OR&N) 197 is currently being restored. This will take some time. It is in early stages of repair at his time, but the members of ORHF patiently work toward the day OR&N 197 will join ORHF’s other working engines in their new facility.

My last entry as a Newspaper lead...

would read something like this.

The Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation is seeking to raise funds and volunteers to build a steam train museum in the Portland, Oregon area. They are under pressure to do so as soon as possible because the land they lease from the Union Pacific Railroad for their roundhouse is valuable. It could be sold out from under them at any time for development.

I should have said "Soon, why so circumspect?" in my last entry. I'll share that soon.