Railroad Heritage Foundation to buy, run, ‘Sellwood’s Railroad’

Published 12:00 am Sunday, December 22, 2024

For decades, the continuing story about East Portland’s “short-line” Oregon Pacific Railroad (OPR) has been a fascinating one.

Since the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) came up with the idea of having Christmastime Holiday Express steam-locomotive powered excursions through Oaks Bottom, those outings have run on “Portland Division” tracks owned by Oregon Pacific Railroad (see the related Holiday Express story elsewhere on this month’s website).

When its founder, President and Chief Engineer, Richard A. “Dick” Samuels, passed away on May 28, 2021, many speculated about the future of the railroad, which was left in the hands of his three sons – all of whom had already been working for the Oregon Pacific Railroad for decades.

When, on December 3rd, the Rail Foundation announced, “[We have] entered a sales agreement to acquire the Oregon Pacific Railroad”, THE BEE spoke with the Samuels brothers – Tim, Brian, and Craig – in their railyard near Ochoco Street about the planned sale of their family business.

“First, we just wanted to say thanks for taking an interest in our railroad throughout the years,” said Tim (whom Brian and Craig nominated to be the family spokesperson – because “he’s the eldest”). “We’ve enjoyed our time operating a short-line railroad, and working with our father over the years.

“30 years in the railroad industry is tiring, and wears on your body and mind; we will all have our 30 years in for railroad retirement as of October of 2026,” acknowledged Tim.

Railroad a continued success

“A lot of people thought we would struggle operating the railroad when our father passed away, but we all think we have done a pretty darned good job over the last 3-1/2 years – the railroad is in the best physical and financial condition it’s ever been in. We feel we have ‘nothing left to prove’, and we know our father would have wanted the Portland line to go to the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation – an organization that he helped to found! – so it’s simply a perfect fit for everyone,” Tim went on. “So, the three of us are all excited to pass the railroad on to the ORHF – to watch it grow and prosper. As for us, we’ll more time for our families and to pursue other interests for which we’ve had so little time.”

When the sale is eventually completed, the ORHF will acquire all assets of the “Portland Division” of the Oregon Pacific Railroad. That includes the five miles of track between OMSI and western Milwaukie; the locomotives; the track maintenance equipment; and the shop.

A year in the making

“The idea for the agreement to transfer ownership of the Oregon Pacific Railroad to our organization has been in development for over a year; starting when the Samuels brothers approached us, expressing their interest in selling the railroad,” ORHC Executive Director Renee Devereux told THE BEE. “Our relationship with this railroad spans more than 20 years, and we’ve relied heavily on the use of its line for our revenue and excursion runs, like the Holiday Express.

“Dick Samuels, the visionary behind the Oregon Pacific, had a deep passion for sharing the joy of railroading, and was regularly in the locomotive for Saturday train rides, bringing smiles to passengers of all ages.

“For him, being in the locomotive and guiding a train full of happy passengers, was truly his happy place,” Devereux recalled. “After his passing, we at the Rail Heritage Center took on the responsibility of continuing those Saturday train rides, ensuring his legacy lives on by providing these experiences for our guests, and visitors to Portland.”

The primary consideration in the purchase, from the ORHF’s perspective, Devereux said, “is securing the future of rail excursions in Portland, not only for today but for generations to come. This acquisition ensures the continued operation of these cherished experiences.”

The transaction is expected to be finalized in the fall of 2026.