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Member Organizations
The ORHF is made up of 7 organizations that share one goal: To secure
land and build a new home for Portland's three steam locomotives. |
Built in 1905 by Baldwin Locomotive Works as a 4-6-2 "Pacific" type
locomotive for the E. H. Harriman rail empire that later merged into
the Union Pacific, she's 79' long and, with 200 psi boiler pressure and
76" diameter drivers, is capable of sustained speeds of 80 mph.
This treasure of the early 20th Century era of steam locomotives
arrived in Portland just in time for the 1905 Lewis & Clark
Centennial Exposition, just 17 months before the Wright Brothers first
flew at 9.8 mph, when Teddy Roosevelt was President and 3 years before
Henry Ford rolled out his first Model T. She then went on to serve
Portland commerce for over 50 years before retirement in the 1950s.
Residing as only a display piece in Oaks Park like her sisters since
1958, in 1996 she was moved to the Brooklyn Roundhouse where she is
undergoing restoration today by the all-volunteer Friends of the
OR&N 197.
Website: www.orn197.org |
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Built in 1938 as a 4-8-4 Northern Pacific Class A design, she is close
to 111' long, 10' wide and almost 17' tall. With locomotive and tender
weighing almost 440 tons and a boiler pressure of 260 psi, her 77"
diameter drivers can apply 5,000 horsepower to the rails and exceed 80
mph. It's oil fired, and features design specified roller bearings
throughout which was quite advanced for the era.
This beautiful example of the latter years of steam locomotive
development pulled the famous Empire Builder until that train was
dieselized in 1947. She continued to faithfully provide passenger
service from Portland up the Columbia River Gorge to Spokane until
1956, and in 1958 the 700 was ultimately placed on permanent display at
Oaks Park in SE Portland. Returned to operation in 1990, she is
lovingly operated and maintained by the all-volunteer Pacific Railroad
Preservation Association.
Website: www.sps700.org
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Built in 1941 as a 4-8-4 GS-4 locomotive, she is 110' long, 10' wide
and 16' tall. With locomotive and tender weighing 433 tons and a boiler
pressure of 300 psi, her eight 80" diameter drivers and unique firebox
truck booster can apply 5,500 horsepower to the rails and exceed 100
mph. The only remaining operable "streamlined" steam locomotive of the
Art
Deco era, this grand Lady of the High Iron pulled Southern Pacific
"Daylight" coaches from Los Angeles to San Francisco over the scenic
Coast Route and then on to Portland until 1955.
Retired to Oaks Park in 1958 for display only, many thought 4449 would
never run again. In 1974 she was completely restored specifically to
pull the 1976 Bicentennial Freedom Train throughout the United States
to the delight of over 30 million people. SP 4449 has also operated
numerous excursions since. She is arguably one of the most beautiful
locomotives ever built and
kept that way by the all-volunteer Friends of SP 4449.
Website: www.4449.com
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The PNWC was formed in 1955 as a non-profit Oregon corporation
affiliated with the National Railway Historical Society. The NRHS is a
non-profit organization, which was formed in 1935 for historical and
educational purposes. The Pacific Northwest Chapter is one of more than
171 affiliates throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Over 250 members contribute to the PNWC-NRHS by collecting and
preserving historical data and artifacts, advocating for modern
railroad transportation, and hosting rail-related events in the greater
Portland area. The PNWC-NRHS supports ORHF by increasing awareness of
its objectives, participating in ORHF-related fundraisers such as the
Holiday Express as well as lending historical rail cars for the event.
Website: www.pnwc-nrhs.org
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The Northwest Rail Museum is a nonprofit organization incorporated in
the State of Oregon in 1986. They are dedicated to the preservation of
the excitement and history of steam engines and rail travel, with a
focus on the Pacific Northwest.
NRM's ultimate goal is to establish a
museum site where the SP 4449 engine and other important artifacts can
be stored and displayed. The excursions operated by NRM are designed to
commemorate rail history events and educate the public about rail
travel. Passengers on each excursion are provided with a trip guide
showcasing historic and geographic features along the route.
Website: www.northwestrailmuseum.com |
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All three steam locomotives listed above are owned by the City of
Portland, and managed by the Portland Parks & Recreation
Bureau.
They provide care to over 10,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and
offers thousands of programs for all ages at its community centers,
swim pools, and other recreation facilities. The City of Portland is
very supportive of ORHF's efforts to secure land and build a new home
for its three steam locomotives.
Website: www.portlandonline.com/parks |
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A part of Brooklyn Action Corps, the Brooklyn Historical Society is a
group of mostly Brooklyn residents who are interested in the history of
the Brooklyn neighborhood, including the three steam locomotives that
reside in the neighborhood's Brooklyn Roundhouse and its turntable.
Website: www.brooklyn-neighborhood.org |
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Oregon
Railroad & Navigation Railway #197
Spokane,
Portland & Seattle Railway #700
Southern
Pacific #4449
Pacific
Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society
Northwest Rail
Museum
City of Portland - Parks & Recreation