Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation

Holiday Express is our foundation's signature event and chief fundraiser. For four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Holiday Express excursion trains carry sold-out crowds--mostly families with young children. Vintage rail cars, decorated and lighted inside and out, are pulled by one of the organization's steam locomotives or, in recent years, by a logging steam locomotive on loan to the museum. Passengers enjoy holiday-themed music and displays inside the Enginehouse while waiting to board. The museum's gift shop is open, and hot chocolate and cookies are sold. Each of the 80 or so runs travels 45 minutes along the Springwater Corridor next to the Willamette River south to Oaks Amusement Park and back. Inside the train, Santa and his elves dispense holiday cheer and candy canes to riders of all ages. Some 150 volunteers work tirelessly to create a memorable holiday experience for more than 21,000 riders. While Holiday Express anchors our year-end offerings, the Oregon Rail Heritage Center also operates weekend train excursions from March through October. Traveling the same route as the Holiday Express, these outings offer open-air cars and themed celebrations. The motive power for these rides can be steam or diesel, depending on the excursion's theme.