Can you tell that the Eichelt family was having a wonderful time, riding the Holiday Express locomotive excursion train in mid-December…?

The sound of a steam locomotive’s whistle echoing up from Oaks Bottom beside the Willamette River, starting on Thanksgiving Day weekend, again signaled the start of the Holiday Express rail excursions hosted by the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF).

“This is our 18th year, and we have 79 scheduled runs over four three-day weekends, through December 17th,” ORHF publicist Carolyn Meeker told THE BEE.

With the Southern Pacific No. 4449 being just too heavy to run on the Oregon Pacific Railroad tracks anymore – and with the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700 being rebuilt – this year ORHF’s newly-acquired 1912 Polson Logging Co. #2 steam locomotive was the one to pull the Holiday Express excursion train out for runs from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) museum. “Each run features Santa and his elves, and departs from the festively-decorated ORHC Enginehouse here on S.E. Water Avenue, just east of OMSI,” informed Meeker. It’s too late for BEE readers to take this ride this year, but it’ll be back next year, starting again on Thanksgiving. Get your tickets early – it does sell out.

Unlike summertime train trips from the Center, passengers riding the Holiday Express traveled in heated vintage rail cars – decked out for the Holidays – as they journeyed from the heart of east Portland, along the banks of the Willamette River through the Oaks Bottom Natural Area to Oaks Park, and back again.

Weekend daylight rides provide a unique view of the natural areas between the Center and Oaks Amusement Park. At night, riders enjoy a view of the city lights.

LATE BULLETIN:  On Friday, December 22, ORHF decided to run the Holiday Express for two more weekends — December 22-24, and December 29-31. Go to their website for more information, including available dates and times, and ticket prices – and to purchase tickets securely online while they last – https://orhf.org/train-rides

Now, take a moment to watch this exclusive BEE VIDEO as the historic steam locomotive pulls carloads of revelers away from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, heading toward Oaks Amusement Park, on one of its weekend excursions: CLICK HERE