Going to be traveling to Portland OR later this summer from LA will be driving, anyone recommend a few train related stops or activities in the Portland area or on the way up? Wife has already nixt stopping at Roaring Camp, too far out of the way, poo!
The steam locomotive 4449 is in Portland somewhere. I think there is a museum that goes with it as well.
Vic, too bad your wife said no to the Roaring Camp railroad. That’s a good one. Another good one off 101 in Willits is the Skunk Train. It doesn’t go all the way to Fort Bragg like it use to because of a tunnel cave-in a few years ago, but it’s still worth the time to ride the train and enjoy the Redwoods. You can also catch the Skunk in Fort Bragg, but the ride is a lot shorter than the Willits excursion. Also in Fort Bragg on the coast is a real nice G-scale layout run by the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Navigation Company.
Craig Townsend said:
The steam locomotive 4449 is in Portland somewhere. I think there is a museum that goes with it as well.
Here ya go http://www.orhf.org/oregon-rail-heritage-center/our-locomotives/sp-4449/
Also consider the California Rail museum in Sacramento if you haven’t been there.
Yep! The Sacramento Railroad museum is a must-see. Love that SP Cab Forward! And while you’re there, visit Old Sacramento.
And also the Western Pacific museum in Portola. Good stuff!
Vic Smith said:
Going to be traveling to Portland OR later this summer from LA will be driving, anyone recommend a few train related stops or activities in the Portland area or on the way up? Wife has already nixt stopping at Roaring Camp, too far out of the way, poo!
I haven’t heard from Richard Smith lately; that’s a great stop, sort of along the way… Port Orchard.
Ditto what they said, Rode the Ft. Bragg Skunk train back in 2008 had a great time, missed the steam loco, it was down for repairs. Long long time ago… mid 90’s went to the Sacramento RR museum, want to go back again, there also used to be a place kind of off the path between Lodi and Rio Vista on Hwy 12???. going to google it and see
Western Railway Museum, on hwy 12 west of Rio Vista, about half way to Suisin City, go there then go to the Jelly Belly factory and do that tour, then you can catch I-80 to Vacaville, then I-505 N to I-5 and continue on your way. Added bonus of maybe having to wait if bridge across teh Sacramento River is up for a large boat
Victor;
I’m surprised that no-one has suggested that you should contact “Richard Smith” in Port Orford…he is on “The way up”.
Richard is a fine gentleman, who has a GREAT LS railroad, that should be visited.
Contact Richard. He is a member of LSC, and welcomes visitors, as long as you contact him to make arrangements.
With the same name as you have; “Smith”, he should be on your list before anyone else.!!
Fred Mills
Thanks guys, don’t think the Skunk will be doable as we’ll probably be going straight up the 5. I’ve been to the CSSRRM a few times, would like to hit it again this time if time allows.
You can do some serious train watching from the AMTRAK station in Vancouver, WA, just across the Columbia River from Portland. North and south, plus east/west at the wye.