Portland’s industrial heritage is entwined with being at the crossroads of many different railroads for over a century. The east-side Brooklyn Yard hosted one of the last remaining roundhouses with a turntable. Since the Yard was converted to intermodal transport, the City’s three historic steam locomotives and most of the machinery necessary to maintain them was moved to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Here we also host a variety of vintage passenger cars, diesel locomotives, and other rolling stock.
The last historic piece of the Brooklyn Yard, a 100′ turntable, is also onsite, waiting to be installed in the front of the Center. As with nearly all of the pieces at ORHC, it will be operational, turning locomotives, and maybe even giving rides!
This permanent home allows these rail treasures to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Support ORHC
- Size 2.75 acres
- Phase 1 Cost For base building and loan payment to city: $5.8 million
- Architect Hennebery Eddy Architects
- Contractor Lorentz Bruun Const.
- Track Design HDR Engineering
- Building 19,200 SF (80’ x 240’) 2 tracks for 4 locomotives. Drop table.
- Features Bays for machining equipment, painting, and each locomotive group. Offices, conference room, public viewing and interpretive area.
- Design Traditional design elements on building exterior will capture the history and essence of everything inside.
- Outside Area for turntable and 5 radiating spurs for car or locomotive display (future phases)
- Public Transit Easy walking distance from Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail, Eastside Streetcar and buses.
- Accessibility Yes. ADA accessible.