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Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

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Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Overview
HeadquartersGaribaldi, Oregon
Reporting markOCSR
LocaleTillamook County, Oregon, US
Dates of operation2003–present
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length46 mi (74 km)
Other
Websiteoregoncoastscenic.org
Oregon Coast
Scenic Railroad
Legend
Union Pacific RR
(formerly Southern Pacific)
 Banks, Oregon
connection severed
due to 2007 landslide
 Salmonberry River
Wheeler
South Wheeler headshunt
Nehalem River
Nehalem Bay
Brighton
Nedonna Beach
Manhattan Beach
 Rockaway Beach
Twin Rocks
Watseco
Barview
Coast Guard station
Tillamook Bay
 Garibaldi
Garibaldi yard
US 101.svg US 101
US 101.svg US 101
US 101.svg US 101
Tillamook Creamery
(proposed)
 Tillamook Air Museum
maintenance yard

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (reporting mark OSCR) is a heritage railroad, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization,[1] operating in Oregon, US, primarily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, with additional special trips to Wheeler, Nehalem River and into the Salmonberry River canyon. The railroad travels on tracks that pass along the edge of Tillamook Bay and the Oregon Coast, and through thick forest along the Nehalem River.[2] The OCSR runs its collection of vintage rail equipment over 46 miles (74 km) of former Southern Pacific Transportation Company track under a lease from the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB), an entity distinct from the OCSR.[3][4]

Stations

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Station / Waypoint Coordinates
Salmonberry River 45°45′01″N 123°39′11″W / 45.75023°N 123.65302°W / 45.75023; -123.65302
Wheeler 45°41′24″N 123°52′56″W / 45.68997°N 123.88213°W / 45.68997; -123.88213
Rockaway Beach 45°36′47″N 123°56′39″W / 45.61301°N 123.94414°W / 45.61301; -123.94414
Garibaldi 45°33′32″N 123°54′42″W / 45.55883°N 123.91175°W / 45.55883; -123.91175
Tillamook Air Museum 45°25′13″N 123°48′09″W / 45.42031°N 123.80247°W / 45.42031; -123.80247

Garibaldi Station is the only station on the system equipped with a wheelchair lift.

Railroad Operations

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General Operating Schedule—As of 2025

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  • Early-Spring through mid-spring—Trains run on an 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day weekend service
  • Mid-Spring through mid-Fall—Trains run every day
  • Mid-Fall through Christmas—Trains run on an 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day weekend service
  • January and February—No trains run

The above information is intended as a rough guide. Contact the company for details.[5]

Excursions

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Excursions are seasonal, and do not run all year round. Travel on some excursions where alcohol is served are age restricted. Current details are on the railroad's Web site.[5]

Oregon Coastal Excursion is a 90 minute round trip between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach and return. (Or between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi and return.) It is 30 minutes each direction with a 30 minute layover. Passengers may stay longer and take any available return trip.

Moonlight Excursion is a romantic, steam-powered train ride from Garibaldi to Wheeler and back. Sandwiches and snacks are usually available for sale on this excursion; check the company web-site for details. Alcohol is served on this train—meaning this ride is only available to Passengers 21+

Fall Splendor Excursion and Spring Splendor Excursion are 2-1/4 hour round trips between Rockaway Beach and Wheeler.

Halloween Coast Train is a 60 minute round trip between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi.

Candy Cane Express is a 60 minutes round trip between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach.

Dinner Train This service was discontinued after the 2023 season. There are currently no plans to reintroduce this service in the near future. Sandwiches and snacks are usually available for sale on the Moonlight Excursion; check the company web-site for details.

Additional Seasonal Trains are offered at various times, including:

  • Spring Break Excursion (similar to the 'Oregon Coastal Excursion')
  • St. Patrick's Pub Train
  • Easter Eggstravaganza Train
  • Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular

Special Services

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Cab Rides are available on most trains. For an additional fee, passengers can ride in the cab of a steam locomotive or diesel locomotive—as available. (Reservations are highly recommended. Restrictions apply.)

One-way ticket Travel in one direction (no return) can be arranged by calling the railroad.

Charters Various locomotives and/or car configurations are available for private or semi-private charter.

Locomotives

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The railroad currently operates two steam locomotives in regular service. One of these is the former McCloud Railway number 25,[6][7] a 2-6-2 type made by the American Locomotive Company. The locomotive was used in the movie Stand by Me. It was built for use in logging in the early 20th century.

Operating Diesel locomotives include the Great Northern Railway number 274 EMD F7,[8] former POTB EMD SD9 number 6139, and former Port of Tillamook Bay EMD GP9 number 101.

Roster

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Locomotive details[9][6][8]
Number Image Builder Type Works Number Built Acquired Status Notes
1 Climax Locomotive Works 20-ton Class A Climax locomotive 804 1907 2024 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for the Cascade Lumber Company, later served the Cabin Creek Lumber Company. To private owner Victor C. Monahan after retired in the 1970s, then donated to OCSR in 2024 by his family. Notable for being the world's only surviving standard gauge Class A Climax steam locomotive.[10]
1 Heisler Locomotive Works 85 Ton 3-truck Heisler 1272 1913 2015 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for the Sunset Timber Company of Raymond, Washington.
1 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T Tank locomotive 58206 1925 2021 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for the Anderson & Middleton Lumber Company, acquired by the Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railway, to Fred M. Kepner in 1984, to the Oregon Coast Scenic following his death. Appeared in Emperor of the North Pole.
2 Heisler Locomotive Works 2-truck Heisler 1198 1910 2003 Undergoing maintenance Built for The Curtiss Lumber Co. of Mill City, Oregon.[1]
3 Heisler Locomotive Works 2-truck Heisler 1364 1917 2016 Operational Built for Craig Mountain Lumber Co. Acquired from Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
5 Heisler Locomotive Works 62 Ton 2-truck Heisler 1462 1922 2002 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for the Buffelen Lumber Company of Tacoma, Washington. Was only in service for four years before crashing into Eagle Gorge, Washington. Recovered in 2002.
7 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-4-4-2 Mallet locomotive 33463 1909 Operational Built as Little River Railroad 126, later Deep River Logging Co. 7 (nicknamed "The Skookum"). On loan from the Roots of Motive Power Museum (Willits, California), in service at the Niles Canyon Railway.
8 Lima Locomotive Works 90 ton 3-truck Shay locomotive 3254 1924 2021 Stored, awaiting restoration Built as Cascade Timber Co. (Reliance, Washington) 108, to Long-Bell Lumber Company 1008, then Pickering Lumber Co. 8 (2nd) (Standard, California). Later owned by Fred M. Kepner and sold to OCSR following his death.
23 Lima Locomotive Works 28 ton 2-truck Shay locomotive 169 1887 1998 Stored, restoration suspended Built for the Stimson Lumber Company.
25 American Locomotive Company 2-6-2 66435 1925 2011 Operational Built for the McCloud Railway.
38 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-6-2 Mallet locomotive 61781 1934 2021 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. Sold to the Sierra Railroad and renumbered 38 in 1952, to Rayonier Incorporated in 1955, to Fred M. Kepner in 1984, then to the OCSR following his death.
90 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-8-2 59071 1926 2019 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for Polson Logging Company (bought out by Rayonier Inc. in 1948). Sold to the Oregon Memorial Steam Train Association in 1964.
101 General Motors Electro-Motive Division EMD GP9 diesel-electric 21703 1956 2006 Operational Built as Chesapeake and Ohio Railway 6606; nicknamed "The Moo".
104 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2 56851 1923 2021 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for Oregon-American Lumber Company, sold to Long-Bell Lumber Company, then to International Paper, later to multiple private owners including Fred M. Kepner, and to OCSR following his death.
105 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T Tank locomotive 58193 1925 2021 Stored, awaiting restoration Built for Oregon-American Lumber Company, sold to Long-Bell Lumber Company, sold to International Paper, later multiple private owners including Fred M. Kepner, was shortly used by the Vernonia, South Park & Sunset Steam Railroad, and to OCSR following Kepner's death.
274 General Motors Electro-Motive Division EMD F7 diesel-electric 11066 1951 2010 Operational Built for the Great Northern Railway; EMD 567 engine upgraded with EMD 645 power blocks.
6139 General Motors Electro-Motive Division EMD SD9 diesel-electric 20121 1954 2006 Operational Built as Chicago Burlington & Quincy 337.

All of the railroad's locomotives are serviced at the locomotive shops in Garibaldi, Oregon, Tillamook, Oregon and Centralia, Washington. Restoration work is split between Tillamook and Centralia.

Projects

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As of 2015, several steam locomotive restoration/reconstruction projects are planned or underway. Among them is the complete restoration of the Deep River No. 7 "Skookum", a 2-4-4-2 Mallet locomotive. This restoration was completed in 2019.[11][12] Another restoration project is for the former Sunset Timber No. 1, a 3-truck Heisler locomotive that was moved to Tillamook in 2015.[13][14]

Incidents

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2007 Landslide

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In December 2007, the Oregon Coast was struck by the Great Coastal Gale of 2007. Hurricane force winds and torrential rain caused extensive damage to the railroad in the Salmonberry River Valley. More than 7 inches (180 mm) of rain fell in less than 24 hours. Flooding and landslides washed out several embankments and one large bridge. This caused a break in the line between the coastal areas and Banks, OR. The majority of the line is now isolated from the rest of the North American rail system—causing all rail-freight operations past this break to cease. The scenic, coastal areas (where tours are given) were largely unaffected. The estimate to reconnect the line was $57.3 million (2008 dollars)[15] equivalent to $83,683,000 in 2024. It is unlikely that the Salmonberry River portion will be reopened anytime soon.

Salmonberry River

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During 2014 the OCSR has been in a series of legal challenges with the State of Oregon over their attempts to reconstruct track in the Salmonberry River corridor that had been damaged in winter storms of 2007.[16][17] The central issue was the OCSR's work included placing rock fill on the bank of the river, for which they had not obtained state permits, potentially impacting native salmon and steelhead. OCSR's position was that as a railroad, federal law exempted them from state environmental regulations. In March 2015, a decision was reported that exempted the OCSR from the state regulations.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "About Us". Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad.
  2. ^ Grayson, Lee. "Scenic Train Rides in Oregon". USA Today. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  3. ^ "Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad". Port of Tillamook Bay. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  4. ^ Rimel, Anthony (April 4, 2012). "Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad wins lease to extend track". The Daily Astorian. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Oregon Coast Train Rides". Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Kept up to date.
  6. ^ a b "McCloud River Railroad #25". Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. March 30, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Ruark, Jeremy C. (June 3, 2011). "Locomotive may help with July 4th excursion run between Garibaldi and Rockaway". Headlight-Herald. Tillamook, Oregon. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Great Northern #274". Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "Oregon Coast Scenic RR - OCSR". Trainweb.org. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  10. ^ Franz, Justin (October 25, 2024). "Oregon Coast Scenic Acquires Rare Climax". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  11. ^ "Deep River Logging #7 'Skookum'". Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  12. ^ Hansen, Martin E. (December 16, 2014). "Reassembled 2-4-4-2 'Skookum' again upright after nearly 60 years". Trains. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  13. ^ Killen, Dave (April 23, 2015). "Historic steam locomotive transported from California to Oregon". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  14. ^ Neal, LeeAnn (April 24, 2015). "Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad's latest acquisition travels 700 miles to Tillamook … by road". Tillamook County Pioneer. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  15. ^ https://archive.today/20250307181148/https://www.okthepk.ca/publicArchive/201106oregonCoast/news03.htm
  16. ^ Showman, Sally (April 8, 2014). "Judge to decide fish fight between state, railroad". KOIN 6. KOIN. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  17. ^ Profita, Cassandra (March 31, 2014). "Oregon Railroad Defies State Order To Stop Work In Salmonberry River". Northwest Public Radio. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  18. ^ "Oregon Coast legal victory a win for restoration of tracks". Trains. March 19, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
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