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.