Steam & Excursion > ORHF Holiday Express 2012, 1 week to go!

Hard to believe we’re only one week away from this year’s ORHF Holiday Express with the SP&S 700 and SP 4449, in Portland, Oregon.

For those that may not know, they’re doing THREE weekends this year, beginning next Friday November 30th. For more info and schedules, check out ORHF’s Holiday Express page:

http://www.orhf.org/about-orhf/holiday-express/

ORHF crews are currently getting ready for the event. Last I heard, both engines will run this year, but on different weekends. The PRPA crew was replacing a tire on the 700 to get it ready. Both engine crews will be installing lights and ORHF crews are putting up brand new lights on all the cars this year. ORHF and OPR volunteers cleaned the line last weekend to get it ready.

The Oregon Pacific Railroad owns the railroad that ORHF will be operating on and OPR crews are currently retamping and aligning the route and have replaced a number of ties as we do every year in preparation for the giant steam engines to run. Also, lots of work being done to our caboose that sits out at Oaks Station on display. And speeders will also be on hand to give public rides.

All profits after expenses go to support the new engine house in SE Portland, near OMSI, that has been constructed, but still needs funds to operate and expand. So your patronage is welcomed and needed. There's lots to do and see this year.

Here’s our Holiday Express video from 2008 that gives you a good idea of what it’s like, including lots of in cab footage and unique shots you won't see elsewhere. That was the year it snowed too!

http://www.oregonpacificrr.com/holidayexpress2008.wmv

Feel free to post any prior ORHF Holiday Express photos and memories in this thread if you’d like! Thanks for viewing.

Brian McCamish
Oregon Pacific Railroad
http://www.oregonpacificrr.com/

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Thanks for the plug Brian. It is a pleasure working with you and Dick. As an additional note, the
Oregon Rail Heritage Center is maintaining regular public hours during December, Thursday through
Sunday, 1 to 5 PM.; just east of the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in SE Portland.
The ORHC will have some new exhibits beginning in 2013 including the 700's old driver "tire".
Announcements will be made on this board. Arlen

Do we know which weekend which engine will be running?

Rob, gotta make it this year!

The schedule has the 700 pulling the first, the 4449 the second and third. Arlen

Brian894x4 Wrote:
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> Feel free to post any prior ORHF Holiday Express photos and
> memories in this thread if you’d like! Thanks for viewing.

The 700 waiting to leave the Brooklyn Roundhouse for the Holiday Express three years ago.

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Here are a couple more from three years ago. 700 leaving the station and Jim700 running her. And we can't forget 4449--this one from last year.

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Will the 700 crew have the new tire installed on the main driver, Fireman's side, in time?

Jack, the new tire is on the 700......and I have PRPA board approval to retain the old tire
as one of our Oregon Rail Heritage Center exhibits.....Arlen