New Rail Heritage Center nears completion near OMSI

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Volunteers associated with the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) lost their Brooklyn Yard Roundhouse home in June. They knew it was coming, though, and the good news is that their new building, just east of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), is nearing completion, according to ORHF Vice President Ed Immel.

“The building and property has been named the ‘Oregon Rail Heritage Center’,” Immel revealed, as he led a private tour of the still-under-construction facility, in the shadow of the newly-rebuilt McLoughlin-to-MLK Boulevard viaduct.

Although ORHF had considered dismantling and moving the Brooklyn Roundhouse (which was actually square), the cost to do so was prohibitive. “But, we were able to salvage some of those great big doors, and historic light fixtures.”

The heavy rail repair equipment and the parts stockpile sits secured in locked trailers at the new site, awaiting the building’s completion. “Moving encouraged us get rid of a lot of junk, though,” he added.

The building and train yard might have been completed by now, Immel commented, had construction not been delayed by the discovery that some of the property had been reclaimed from marshland decades ago with the use of sawdust fill. “Because of the weight of our engines and rolling stock, we had to go back and redesign the foundation.”

Because of the complexities caused by changing the foundation, and dealing with earthquake standards, the ORHF could have built a “pole barn” in Washington County for a tenth of the cost, Immel conceded. “But we bought this piece of property because of the central location, including the new streetcar line, rail lines, and access to the highway.”

The building contractor has told ORHF to expect completion of their new building by mid August.

As the organization prepares for the planned grand opening on September 22, Immel remarked that ORHF is working with nearby OMSI’s marketing and education specialists on the interpretative aspects of their project.

“Our people are happy to have a warm and dry place to work. But, for the Rail Heritage Center to fulfill its potential, we need to create exhibits and develop programs that will attract, entertain, and educate casual visitors. There aren’t enough rail enthusiasts to support the Center by themselves.”

About the fundraising effort, Immel admitted, “We’re going to be able to open the building, but we need more money to complete the roundtable and second-story interpretative area.”

ORHF is best-known in Inner Southeast Portland for offering the nostalgic “Holiday Express” train excursions along Oaks Bottom to and from Oaks Park each December. Learn more about the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation online: HYPERLINK “http://www.orhf.org” www.orhf.org