Now that the restored Brooklyn Turntable has been moved into the pit in front of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Phil Barney has begun building an historically accurate replica of the original operator’s cab. (The original had been destroyed years ago in Brooklyn Yard when a switch engine missed the turntable track and crunched into the operator’s cab.)

Phil Barney has been with Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation since its first iteration around 2000. His wife, Laurel Lyon, helped create the nonprofit that became ORHF and served as its first president. Laurel succumbed to chronic illness in 2018.

Phil is an accomplished woodcrafter. His work can be seen all over the Enginehouse. Phil restored the massive wooden Brooklyn roundhouse doors at the building’s north end and created a replica pair for the south end, where tracks meet the turntable.

Phil hopes the operator’s cab will be ready this summer when the turntable has been electrified and motors are in place to move the big bridge.