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Last Update: January 30, 2012
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS on the OREGON PACIFIC RR  2012
Copyright © 2004-2011 All Rights Reserved
2011 - a Year in Review    2012 - Looking Forward

Update: January 2, 2012

2011 was yet another extremely busy and eventful year for the OPR.    The following are just some
of the many highlights and events that occurred over the past year.

The year began as the OPR and its crew undertook a major project of reconstructing the Johnson Creek Trestle on the East
Portland Branch.  This project was done entirely by the OPR's own crew and involved replacing the entire upper deck of the
trestle.

By early spring, the OPR would welcome another piece of vital equipment, a new Swingmaster Speed Swing, which was
delivered via flatcar.  The Swingmaster was immediately put to work in other projects throughout the rest of the year and will
continue to play a major role as the OPR is constantly upgrading and maintaining it's railroad and equipment.

Beginning in the spring and continuing through the fall, the OPR undertook the project of upgrading 4 major crossings on the
East Portland Branch, with all new track, ties and crossing panels.   Additional work included the relocation of a switch and
preparation for a future additional siding and crossover track in the Sellwood area.

In mid Spring, the OPR was involved in yet another TV/movie production with the filming of an episode of TNT's Leverage.   
OPR No. 100 and OPR caboose No. 11 as well as passenger cars from various owners associated with ORHF were used in
the one day production.  The scene was shown on an episode called "The Van Gogh Job" later in the summer.

The OPR's brand new GMD-1 No. 1413 was invited to attend National Train Day at Portland's Union Station.  Chris
McLarney's restored UP caboose, which is stored on the OPR, also attended.   Tours were given of the 1413 by OPR crews
throughout the day.

2011 would mark the year that the Union Pacific would retire it's historic SW 1500 fleet.   While this does not adversely affect
the OPR, it's a significant milestone, since the historic SW 1500s were operated over the OPR's East Portland Branch during
the final years of the Portland Traction Company and the SW 1500s often interchanged with the OPR on both branch lines.

During the summer months, the OPR hosted several charters as well as a major 4th of July Speeder Event, where privately
owned speeders were allowed to operate over both branch lines.

The famous "Oaks Park Station" of the OPR was renamed "The Oaks" Station to accurately reflect its historical heritage and
its original station name when it was operated as a trolley stop for Oaks Park between 1905 and 1957.

In July, the OPR began a major project to custom build a brush cutting machine as an attachment to the new Speedswing.
The brush cutter will be very large in size utilizing the engine of a bobcat excavator to power the brush cutting head.
The project is still in the works.

Walter Bebee's family was given an opportunity to come out and ride the OPR, pulled by the No. 1202, Mr. Bebee's namesake
locomotive.   Mr. Bebee was a good friend and mentor of Richard Samuels throughout his early adult life.

In the late summer, the OPR made the decision to not restore the No. 187, a rare EMD NW5 in storage on the OPR since the
early 1990s.   Because of numerous other projects, limited resources and more active locomotives that are actually needed, it
was decided not to put resources into restoring the NW5 and it is currently up for sale.

The OPR No. 900 caboose was repainted in preparation for the Holiday Express.   New wood siding was also added by the
crew.   The caboose may undergo additional refurbishing when the nicer weather returns in 2012.

Late summer and early fall, marked major changes for the OPR yard as crews prepared for the construction of the ORHF
complex next door as well as the relocation of the OPR yard in the spring of 2012.  These changes had a direct and major
impact on the OPR as the OPR lost its runaround track and now has limited switching ability inside its yard.  This will all
change in 2012 as a brand new yard is hopefully constructed to replace the old yard which will be removed to make way for
the new Trimet Milwaukie Light Rail Line.

By October, the OPR announced that it had purchased a historic former Southern Pacific Business Car, the "Santa Rosa".
The car would be shipped to the OPR in November and is currently stored on the East Portland Branch.  Plans are to use the
car on public and private excursions on the OPR beginning in 2012.

The OPR attended the public ground breaking of the new ORHF facility, located directly next to the OPR yard.
The new ORHF facility will have a direct impact on the OPR as ORHF equipment, including the steam locomotives that will be
stored and displayed there, will interchange with the OPR.

2011 saw major updates to the OPR website as new pages were added as well as many hundreds of valuable and rare
historical photos from the Samuels family and elsewhere were added to the website.   Stay tuned for even more major
updates, articles and photos in 2012.

The OPR crew replaced hundreds of ties on the East Portland branch in preparation for the Holiday Express Event.  This is in
addition to many hundreds more replaced on the Molalla Branch and East Portland Branch for normal servicing.   Additional
track work including major realignment and track work in the OPR's old yard to accommodate the large steam locomotives and
allow them to interchange onto the OPR.

Finally, the year was rounded out with the annual Holiday Express, hosted by ORHF, on the OPR's East Portland Branch.
This year's event included both of the steam locomotives as the SP&S 700 pulled trains one weekend, while the SP 4449
pulled trains the following weekend.    The event appears to be a success as trains were largely sold out, especially on the
second weekend.

2012 promises to be a busy year, full of major challenges and events.

Among just some of the MAJOR expected events to impact the OPR in the coming year is the reconstruction and relocation of
the OPR yard.

The continued building of the ORHF complex and the relocation of the steam locomotives and equipment from the Brooklyn
Roundhouse, to the new ORHF facility via the OPR.

The city of Portland will be undertaking a major project of adding a huge culvert under the OPR mainline and springwater trail,
north of Oaks Park.  This project will close the Springwater trail and require the intermittent closure of the OPR's East Portland
Branch during the construction period of late spring, early summer.

2012 will also mark changes for the OPR's locomotive fleet.  The No. 1202, which has been a mainstay for the East Portland
Branch will likely be relocated to the Molalla Branch as a back up engine, while the 1413 takes over the role as the primary
engine for the East Portland branch.

2012 will likely mark the beginning of construction work on the multi-year Sellwood bridge replacement project.   Because the
current Sellwood bridge crosses over the OPR, the new bridge will as well and this project will directly impact OPR operations.

Major track equipment, such as the Jackson Tamper, which had spent the last several years working and upgrading the East
Portland Branch, will be relocated to the Molalla Branch in 2012 as the crew prepare major upgrades and repairs for that
branch beginning in 2012 and beyond.

The OPR looks forward to a busy year, but as always, its crew is ready to take on any challenges and train service to the
customers of the OPR and the public will continue.

Stay tuned to this page for the latest updates, news and events of the upcoming 2012 year.
Metal Theives Caught in the Act on the OPR

Update: January 7, 2012

On Friday,  January 6th, three less than intelligent individuals attempted to steel the remains of an old OPR excavator that
was stored in the East Portland Yard in preparation for future scrapping.   The suspects trespassed into the OPR yard and
began to dismantle the equipment in broad daylight and load it onto their minivan.     Employees from the next door Stacy &
Witbeck Contractors, reported the theft in progress to the OPR.    The OPR crew was already switching in Sellwood and
headed to East Portland, light engine, while calling Police to also respond.

Police arrive at approximately the same time the OPR crew did and the suspects were still on scene committing their act of
theft.   At least one suspect had a warrant and was arrested.  The other suspects were trespassed and prosecution was
referred to the DA.

Metal theft is a constant issue with the OPR as well as other railroads and businesses.   The OPR prosecutes all theft and
crime committed, to the fullest extent of the law.    Also, the OPR wants to remind everyone not to trespass on railroad
property without express permission.   This especially includes the East Portland Yards and Milwaukie Shops area as well as
the storage areas and yards of the Molalla Branch.

Very special thanks to the employees of Stacy & Witbeck for being diligent and notifying the OPR of the theft.  Also to the City
of Portland Police for quickly responding.
Johnson Creek Floods, OPR Johnson Creek Bridge Being Watched

Update: January 20, 2012

On Thursday January 20th, Johnson Creek reached flood stage.   The OPR has a trestle that passes over Johnson Creek on
the East Portland Branch's AmeriCold spur.   While it is not expected that the bridge will be impacted, it is being watched as
high water has damaged the trestle in the past.   Here is a photo taken by Richard Samuels of the high water level at the
bridge.
East Portland Yard Reconstruction Prep Work Continues

Update: January 20, 2012

The prep work needed prior to the major East Portland Yard Reconstruction continues.   The main phase of the relocation
and reconstruction of the OPR yard will take place later this spring.  Meanwhile, OPR crews are removing the remaining
sections of unused track, including switches and rail that will be used elsewhere on the line.

Shown here is the remains of the former middle yard track that most recently came off of the ORHF spur.   The rail and switch
were removed.   They will be used for a new siding and crossover that will be located in Sellwood near 11th street.
1951 Portland Traction Company Time Tables Found

Update: January 20, 2012

Two historic and rare time tables were recently located.   They were in perfect condition and list the time tables for the Oregon
City Division and Bellrose Division trolley systems.   Check out our Portland Traction Company history page for a lot more
information and photos!

The brochures are one page front and back for each division.   The Oregon City division time table is larger in size.
Oregon City Division
time table
Bellrose Division
time table
Washout Affects the Molalla Branch (now back in service)

Update: January 22, 2012

On Friday January 20th, crews were preparing to take a train from Liberal to Canby when they ran across a major washout on
the Molalla branch near the Molalla River bridge.   The washout did not damage the track, but enough of the road bed next
the track was washed away that crews did not feel it was safe to attempt to go through.    The train was taken back to Liberal
and crews spent the rest of Friday lining up equipment, rock and preparing to fill in and repair the washout first thing on
Monday.    The washout is along the Molalla River and was likely caused by the recent flooding due to the heavy rains and
snow melt.   Photo by Tim Samuels.   Stay tuned for a full photo essay of repairing this washout!
Chris Fussell Photo of OPR Train at East Portland with ORHF Complex in View

Update: January 30, 2012

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, Chris Fussell took this photograph of an OPR train coming into the East Portland Yards.  In
the foreground is the ORHF complex, still under construction, with a pile driver on the ORHF property driving piles in
preparation for the new building and track, which will house the SP 4449 and SP&S 700 steam locomotives owned by the City
of Portland.   Photo courtesy of Chris Fussell.
New Then & Now Photo of the East Portland Yards

Update: January 30, 2012

Below are two shots taken between 25 and 30 years apart, looking north in the OPR's East Portland Yards, near the UP
interchange.    The left photo was taken sometime in the 1980s by Richard Samuels, showing the Portland Traction Company
Yards and Southern Pacific Interchange.   Photo on the right shows the massive changes have occurred since then.   The
track shown on the left in the new photo is actually brand new track that was layed several years ago and not related to the
original yard, which was entirely removed after the first photo was taken.   Check out our other Then & Now photos on our
Then & Now Page.