Steam & Excursion > 50 Years Ago Today .....

... the Portland Zoo Railway steamer "OREGON" first ran on its own power as George Burton backed it out of the Northern Pacific Terminal Company of Oregon Guilds Lake roundhouse at Lakeyard on NW Yeon Avenue in Portland, Oregon. Although it is quite similar in appearance to commercially built 4-4-0s such as the same-gauge Crown Metal Products engine #119 for the Omaha Zoo Railroad, it is a one-of-a-kind and the only locomotive built by the all-volunteer Oregon Locomotive Works. The story of why the "OREGON" is a model of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad's steamer #11, the "RENO" ( http://wnhpc.com/details/vt0007 ), may be read at http://www.oregonzoo.org/AboutZoo/history_of_the_Oregon.htm. The pictures are from the WP&Z Railway archives.

The "OREGON" was delivered to the North Portland site of the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair on June 19, 1959, nine days after that 100-day celebration opened, and entered service the following day pulling five cars lettered "Oregon Centennial Railway". One of those five cars was later sold to the Omaha Zoo Railroad where it continues in use today.

As a teenager I traveled from Spokane to ride behind the "OREGON" on the exposition grounds and now, a half-century later, I'm honored to be an engineer running her on the Washington Park & Zoo Railway ( http://www.oregonzoo.org/AboutZoo/train.htm ).

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Amazing it has been that long. I got the chance to run that engine a few years ago. I would love to do it again someday. It really was fun and the engine runs extremely well.

Come join the Pacific Northwest Chapter, NRHS and others for the official celebration of the Oregon's 50th anniversary at the Oregon Zoo on June 20th, festivities start at 10 AM.

I'm delighted to have these photos and the information. Thanks very much!

John Bush
Omaha