RailsNW: Train Blog

1911 was a big year for Tillamook County, for that was the year modern rail transportation arrived. The Pacific Railroad and Navigation Company (otherwise known as the ‘Punk, Rotten and Nasty’), incorporated in October 1905, punched a rail line through the Coast Range and down the Salmonberry Canyon, ultimately meeting up with the other end of the line under construction from Tillamook northward through Bay City, Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach and Wheeler.  The first train from Portland arrived in Tillamook in October 1911, and soon tourists were flocking to the beach.

Nearly 100 years later, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad continues to operate regular passenger services to enjoy the spectactular Oregon Coastline between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach at a leisurely speed of only 8 mph.  Ride Thurs-Monday Memorial Day through the end of September, www.ocsr.net.

OCSR is the brain child of President Scott Wickert. It has been his vision of a steam railroad and a logging/antique railroad equipment museum that has brought the group together. His goal is simply to keep these pieces of history available for the public to learn from and to appreciate.  In 2002 Scott Wickert entered an agreement with the Port of Tillamook Bay RR (POTB) to bring his steam locomotive, CLC #2, to Tillamook to begin steam train operations in 2003.  The geared Heisler locomotive celebrates its 100th birthday in 2010!

RailsNW will also run again our popular excursion on the OCSR up to Wheeler on Saturday, July 24th:  the one and only Oregon Coast Crawler will take you on an amazing 5 hour journey.  Originating in Garibaldi, we make a leisurely trip up the Oregon Coast affording fantastic panoramic views of both Tillamook and Nehalem Bays. Our vintage train stops for a waterside picnic lunch (prepared for us of locally made ingredients by the Blue Heron Creamery) and free time at Wheeler as well as an afternoon snack and beach stop in Rockaway Beach.  A minimum of three photo runbys have been scheduled and more will be added if time permits

After our lunch stop during which we service the engine we do it all again in reverse from Wheeler, allowing for different sightseeing opportunities on the return trip. No other railroad in North America offers the range of scenery found on the Tillamook Branch Line, and no train in recent years has made it possible to experience it all behind steam power.
An open car will be part of our consist to enjoy the fresh air and unparalleled views.

As this trip is limited to less than 100 passengers, we highly recommend making your reservations ASAP. Feel free to call us at 503-292-5055 if you have any questions.  More information and online reservations can be found here:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/charter/garibaldi_steam/garibaldi_steam.htm

A ride on Verde Canyon Railroad’s historic route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back into Arizona’s other grand canyon is an unforgettable experience.

Home to America’s national symbol, the majestic bald eagle, the Verde Canyon is accessible only by rail.

The historic route is nestled between two national forests and adjacent to a designated wilderness area. This unique geological wonderland features rugged, high desert rock faces and spectacular panoramic views. This distinctive confluence of desert and wetland is populated by a variety of wildlife, which thrives among the indigenous trees, shrubs, cactuses and wildflowers.

Passengers on this popular excursion train are enthralled as the eagle-decorated vintage engines roll past towering, crimson cliffs, near ancient Indian ruins, over old-fashioned trestles and through a 680-foot manmade tunnel on a four-hour round trip to deserted Perkinsville Ranch and back.

Expert narration and open-air gondola guides leave passengers with a sense of history, archaeology, geology, wildlife and the Indian lore of the Verde Canyon. Original music also is an integral part of the excursion that takes passengers through Arizona’s longest-running nature show.

Verde Canyon Railroad, nestled in the heart of the expansive Verde Valley, is ideally located above the heat of the desert and below the cold of Arizona’s high country.

It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.