Preserve the past. Power the future. Be part of the team.
Love history? Trains? Working with people? Volunteering at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center is a great way to give back, learn something new, and help keep Portland’s rail legacy alive. Whether you’re greeting guests, assisting in the gift shop, helping with excursions, or getting hands-on with historic locomotives, there’s a place for you here.
No rail experience is required — just bring your curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to be part of a great team.
Why Volunteer With Us?
Volunteering at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center is more than giving your time — it’s becoming part of a community that keeps railroad history alive for future generations.
As a volunteer, you can:
Meet great people who share your interests
Learn new skills and discover the stories behind historic locomotives
Help create memorable experiences for thousands of visitors each year
Support community events and train excursions
Play a role in preserving Oregon’s railroad heritage
Whether you can volunteer occasionally or on a regular schedule, every contribution helps keep the Oregon Rail Heritage Center running.
Volunteer Application Process
Interested in joining the team? Start by filling out our online volunteer application.
Once we receive your application, our volunteer team will reach out to schedule a conversation so we can get to know you better and learn about your interests. During that conversation, we’ll talk about the different ways volunteers help bring the Center to life and explore where you might enjoy getting involved.
If you have questions about volunteering or need assistance with the application process, please email [email protected]. We look forward to connecting with you.
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities so people with many different interests and skills can get involved.
Docents are the storytellers of the museum and serve as one of the primary connections between our historic locomotives and our visitors. They share the stories of railroading, explain the equipment on display, and help create an enjoyable and educational experience for guests while ensuring safety in our working enginehouse.
Great docents enjoy meeting people, learning new things, and sharing their enthusiasm for history.
Admissions and Gift Shop volunteers help welcome visitors and ensure they have a great experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.
Volunteers assist guests with purchasing admission tickets and memberships, answer questions about the museum, and support the Gift Shop — an important part of our operations — by helping visitors select souvenirs, processing payments, and assisting with memberships and donations.
Greeters are often the first people visitors meet when arriving at the Center. With a friendly welcome and a smile, they help guests get oriented and share what’s happening that day at the museum.
Volunteers help bring our train rides to life in roles such as Car Host, Loading Host, Stationmaster, and Will Call attendant. These volunteers assist passengers with boarding, check tickets, help answer questions, and ensure guests have a safe and enjoyable ride.
Train Operations volunteers work directly with our trains in positions such as Engineer, Conductor, Brakeman, and Fireman. These roles require specialized training and certification. Certification includes at least 40 hours of classroom training and 80 hours of on-the-job training, but you don’t need prior railroad experience to get started. If you’re willing to learn, show up, and work safely, we’ll help you get there.
If you already have railroad operating experience or certification, we would love to hear from you. Please contact [email protected].
Many of the locomotives and railcars at the Center are restored and maintained right here in the Enginehouse. Volunteers with skills in welding, machining, mechanical work, carpentry, painting, and other trades play an important role in preserving these historic machines.
If you have specialized skills and are interested in helping with restoration work, please contact [email protected].
Our annual Holiday Express event relies on dozens of seasonal volunteers. Positions include train excursion support, Will Call attendants, parking hosts, hot cocoa and cookie sales, and more.
Friendly faces and holiday spirit help make Holiday Express a magical and memorable experience for the thousands of families who visit each year.
