For Scott Gordon, locomotives were never just a passing childhood fascination. They were the start of a lifelong adventure on the rails. Growing up in Puyallup, WA, near the railroad tracks, Scott and his brother found themselves captivated by the loud rumble and rhythmic clatter of passing trains.

Scott vividly remembers his first ride on Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad’s steam engine as a young boy. That ride wasn’t just exciting; it was life changing.

“That was my thing! Steam engines became my thing,” he shared.

Scott and his brother would return to Mount Rainier Railroad summer after summer, their passion growing stronger with every visit. By the age of 15, they weren’t just passengers any more. They were learning how engines operated.

“We were always hanging around asking to ride in the engine. One day, one of the guys said, ‘You want to learn how to fire the engine?’ That was it—we were in,” Scott recalled.

That volunteer opportunity turned into part-time work, and eventually, a full-time position after high school and into early college.

FAMILY CONNECTED BY RAIL

In 1999, Scott got a job with Tacoma Rail, which launched a 25-year career. But even while working full-time, he always found time to volunteer to keep steam alive. He contributed his services to Mount Rainer Railroad, Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, and eventually here at Oregon Rail Heritage Center.

He first met our crew members when the legendary SP 4449 made an appearance in Tacoma, WA, in 2011. Scott made connections with that group and then got involved with the Brooklyn Roundhouse, where SP 4449, SP&S 700, and OR&N 197 were sheltered before Oregon Rail Heritage Center was built. He quickly became a dedicated volunteer and helped fire up the locomotives during Holiday Express.

During a Holiday Express event in 2018, Scott met Cherisse, his wife. While pulling the SP 4449 into Oaks Park Station, he spotted her waiting on the platform.

“I saw this pretty lady, and I went down and talked to her…I don’t remember what I said, but it must’ve been the right thing because we’re coming up on five years of marriage,” he laughed.

As it turns out, Cherisse was already familiar with the world of steam. Her son Tristan is a train enthusiast, and they had been visiting the Brookyln Roundhouse thanks to Pat Tracy, a mutual connection. Today, the trio—Scott, Cherisse, and Tristan—share their passion for locomotives together.

After retiring with Tacoma Rail, Scott and Cherisse made a life-changing decision: they bought a trailer and hit the road, heading to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, where Scott works periodically. As of this month, he is currently exploring the Colorado and New Mexico mountains working behind oil-fueled and even coal-fired engines.

A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER

Scott is often found in the Enginehouse, working on various projects. One of his recent efforts has been helping restore the Mount Emily Shay #1. With decades of hands-on experience, including firing the Shay nearly 30 years ago in Prineville, OR, Scott is perfectly positioned to help bring this engine back to life.

One of his favorite memories as a volunteer with ORHC was during the filming of the documentary Train Time in 2018. This film is a cinematic tribute to BNSF’s rail legacy, and it also features the SP 4449. A small crew was assembled to showcase the engine on screen. Scott, along with fireman Pat Tracy and engineers Mike Warren and Doyle McCormack, worked through an intense four-day shoot. They ran the SP 4449 from Vancouver to Wishram along the Columbia River Gorge, putting in 18- to 20-hour days. Embracing the long hours, he describes it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Scott’s story is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. From a wide-eyed kid watching trains in Puyallup to a knowledgeable operator firing up legendary locomotives, his life has revolved around trains.

What keeps him coming back to volunteer is the joy of sharing something extraordinary. Whether it’s the awe on a child’s face seeing a steam for the first time or the quiet admiration of someone pausing to look up at the towering SP 4449, Scott knows that these moments matter. With ORHC bringing history to life in ways a static museum never could, the legacy of steam is alive—and still moving—thanks to dedicated volunteers like Scott.