As part of the annual “Train Day” celebration, the Polson No. 2 steam locomotive pulled out every hour and a half from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center – taking another load of riders on a rail excursion through Oaks Bottom and back. (Photo by David F. Ashton)

It was ‘all aboard’ for a one-of-a-kind celebration of transportation history. Once a year, Southeast Portland’s renowned Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) celebrates the day that the “golden spike” was driven in the ground at Promontory Point, Utah, for the first time uniting the nation with rails coast to coast, in 1869. It was a great moment in our nation’s history.

And, at Oregon’s vibrant train museum, May 10th each year is a day of historic steam and diesel locomotives, exhibits – and of course, train rides – all to commemorate ‘National Train Day’.

Inside the ORHC Enginehouse, guests were asking questions of the mechanics who keep these huge locomotives running, and looked over the exhibits that tell the entire history of railroading here in the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re all thrilled to be celebrating ‘Train Day’ here at the ORHC,” welcomed Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) President Rick Franklin. “What’s important about this day is for kids to learn the importance of railroad services to the economy of our nation. The fact is, railroads still haul freight from one end of this country to the other, and keep commerce viable, and rolling along!”

Also, inside the Enginehouse on that day were:

• Model railroad displays, showcasing intricate train layouts
• Information tables staffed by rail-focused partners, including Operation Lifesaver, Willow Creek Railroad, the Union Pacific, Friends of the Washington Park and Zoo Railway, Santiam Excursions, and the Albany & Eastern Railroad
• Hands-on activities for kids to explore

Also in the Plaza, their historic locomotive bell now hangs in a tower, and a “tire” – the band of steel from around the wheel of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700 locomotive – is upright, and on display.

As a special presentation, the Union Pacific Railroad showed off its Locomotive No. 1616 – a commemorative locomotive commissioned to honor President Abraham Lincoln, the man who signed the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, which authorized the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Every 90 minutes on this year’s “Railroad Day”, the 113-year-old Polson Logging Company No. 2 steam locomotive sounded its whistle, signaling another scenic journey along the Willamette River on the rails to Oaks Park and back for visitors to the Rail Heritage Center.

“It’s also the opportunity for us to ‘show off’ this Rail Center, started by a group of us 12 years ago, with the vision of keeping our historic steam locomotives from being scrapped – and indeed, keeping them still operating!

“It’s wonderful that, here, we can show the next generation how steam locomotives work,” Franklin said. “The best part of all this is watching the kids who walk in – and seeing their eyes open wide in wonder, as they behold our locomotives ‘steamed up’.”

To learn more about the Center, located near the eastern foot of the Tilikum Crossing Bridge, and just across from OMSI to the east, visit their official website – www.orhf.org

The MAX Orange Line stops right at the Center; and, for those driving, there’s a large parking lot available.

Now, enjoy some of the highlights of this year’s Train Day in Southeast Portland, in this exclusive BEE VIDEO – https://youtu.be/2swXCk4eLQk