Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad facts for kids
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Garibaldi, Oregon |
| Locale | Tillamook County, Oregon, US |
| Dates of operation | 2003–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 46 miles (74 km) |
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) is a special kind of train line. It's a heritage railroad, which means it uses old, historic trains. It's also a non-profit group, so it's run for fun and education, not to make money. The OCSR operates in Oregon, US.
Its main route is between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. They also offer special trips to places like Wheeler and along the Nehalem River. The trains travel on tracks that go along the beautiful Tillamook Bay and the Oregon Coast. They also pass through thick forests along the Nehalem River. The OCSR uses its collection of old trains on about 46 miles (74 km) of tracks. These tracks used to belong to the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. The OCSR leases them from the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad. The station in Garibaldi is the only one with a wheelchair lift, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the ride.
Contents
What the Railroad Does
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad runs amazing old trains! They currently have two steam locomotives that are used regularly. One of them is the famous No. 25. This steam engine was built by the American Locomotive Company. It's a 2-6-2 type, which describes its wheel arrangement.
Did you know? The No. 25 train was even used in the movie Stand by Me! It was originally built in the early 1900s to help with logging.
Besides the steam trains, the railroad also uses diesel locomotives. These include the Great Northern Railway No. 274 EMD F7. They also have the former Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad's EMD SD9 No. 6139. Another one is the former Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad's EMD GP9, No. 101.
Fun Train Rides and Trips
The train rides are offered during certain times of the year, so they don't run all year long. It's always a good idea to check their website for the latest details!
Standard Excursion: A Classic Ride
The Standard Excursion is a fun 90-minute round trip. It takes you between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach and back. The ride itself is about 30 minutes each way. In the middle, you get a 30-minute break to explore. You can even choose to stay longer and catch a later train back if you want!
Special Seasonal Adventures
The OCSR offers several exciting trips throughout the year:
- Moonlight Express: This is a 90-minute round trip from Rockaway Beach to Wheeler. Imagine riding the train under the moonlight!
- Fall Splendor Excursion and Spring Splendor Excursion: These are longer, 2-1/4 hour round trips. They take you between Rockaway Beach and Wheeler, perfect for seeing the beautiful changing seasons.
- Halloween Coast Train: A spooky 60-minute round trip between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi.
- Candy Cane Express: A festive 60-minute round trip between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, perfect for the holidays!
They also have other special trains at different times, like:
- Spring Break Excursion (similar to the Standard Excursion)
- Easter Eggstravaganza Train
- Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Remember, trains don't run every day. They run most often during the peak summer season.
Exciting Restoration Projects
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is always working on cool projects! They are busy restoring and rebuilding old steam locomotives.
One amazing project was the complete restoration of the Deep River No. 7 "Skookum." This is a special type of steam engine called a 2-4-4-2 Mallet locomotive. Its restoration was finished in 2019, bringing it back to life!
Another project is to restore the former Sunset Timber No. 1. This is a 3-truck Heisler locomotive. It was moved to Tillamook in 2015 to begin its journey back to working condition.
Locomotives: Meet the Trains!
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has an amazing collection of locomotives! Here are some of the cool trains they have:
| Number | Builder | Type | Built | Acquired | Status | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 25 | American Locomotive Company |
|
1925 |
|
Operational |
 |
Built for the McCloud Railway |
| No. 3 | Heisler Locomotive Works |
|
1917 |
|
Operational |
 |
Built for Craig Mountain Lumber Co. Acquired from Rio Grande Scenic Railroad |
| No. 2 | Heisler Locomotive Works |
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1910 |
|
Undergoing maintenance |
 |
Built for The Curtiss Lumber Co. of Mill City, OR |
| No. 7 | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
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1909 | Operational |
 |
Also known as "The Skookum." It's currently on loan to the Niles Canyon Railway. | |
| No. 1 | Heisler Locomotive Works |
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1913 |
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Stored, awaiting restoration | Built for the Sunset Timber Company. | |
| No. 23 | Lima Locomotive Works |
|
1887 |
|
Stored, awaiting restoration to continue | Built for the Stimson Lumber Company. | |
| No. 5 | Heisler Locomotive Works |
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1922 |
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Stored, awaiting restoration | Was in service for only four years before a crash. Recovered in 2002. | |
| No. 8 | Lima Locomotive Works |
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1924 |
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Stored, awaiting restoration in Tillamook | Previously owned by Fred M. Kepner. | |
| No. 38 | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
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1934 |
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Stored in pieces, awaiting move and restoration | Built for Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. | |
| No. 90 | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
|
1926 |
|
Stored, awaiting restoration |  |
Built for Polson Logging Company. |
| No. 1 | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
|
1925 |
|
Stored, awaiting move and restoration | Appeared in the movie Emperor of the North Pole. | |
| Nos. 104 & 105 | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
|
1923 & 1925 |
|
Stored, awaiting move and restoration | Both went through multiple private owners. | |
| No. 274 | General Motors Electro-Motive Division | EMD F7 diesel-electric | 1950 |
|
Operational |
 |
Built for the Great Northern Railway. |
| No. 101 | General Motors Electro-Motive Division | EMD GP9 diesel-electric | 1956 |
|
Operational |  |
Also known as "The Moo." |
| No. 6139 | General Motors Electro-Motive Division | EMD SD9 diesel-electric | 1954 |
|
Operational |
 |
Built for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. |
All of the railroad's locomotives are cared for at special shops. These shops are located in Garibaldi, Oregon, Tillamook, Oregon, and Centralia, Washington. The big restoration work happens between Tillamook and Centralia.
See also
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
