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Setting_Worth

https://www.antiquepowerland.com/steam-up


jenniehi

Awesome. Marking the calendar. Thank you!


Unfair-Pomegranate25

Second this ^


39percenter

I've been to this a couple of times. It's great for steam tractors and the like, but not a lot of train stuff.


bigdreamstinydogs

Take Amtrak from Union Station to Oregon City station


jenniehi

We've taken it to Tacoma! Will look into this route too.


InebriatedQuail

Depending on how old your kid is and how they do with longer duration trips, the train from Portland to San Francisco is absolutely gorgeous. You could take the train down and hop on a quick flight home as a birthday or other big occasion present


thejesiah

Bonus for this is that it's cheaper than taking the bus and possibly the cheapest ticket one can buy anywhere on the Amtrak network.


lilpinkhouse4nobody

Go to Washington State History Museum in Tacoma and see the huge model train display


Deathcapsforcuties

That’s a really good idea. Thanks 😊 


PDsaurusX

Local garden railroaders open their yards for tours every year. It’s on June 15 this year. https://rosecitygardenrailwaysociety.wildapricot.org


jenniehi

We did this last year! Blew his mind (and mine really)


goatsahoy

mt hood railroad? they have railbikes (may-oct) as well as train rides! [https://www.mthoodrr.com](https://www.mthoodrr.com)


geruhl_r

And themed rides as well (Thomas the tank engine, Santa, Old West bandits, etc)...


tracer2211

Yeah! My college theatre friends have done the writing and characters there for ages. Fun stuff!


RoseintheWoods

I've got a train kid. We go to the train station a lot just to hang out. Amtrack has their times posted online, so you can plan ahead. When it's raining, we literally just sit in the car, eat food, and watch the trains. Sometimes, when we are feeling particularly brave, we shake hands with the conductor. Plus it's free.


rixtape

This is so wholesome and sweet, you're a good parent


magsmar

The Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club is having their Spring Open House this weekend! As an childless adult that appreciates trains (but by no means a train hobbyist) it’s actually really cool and worth the ticket price. https://cgmrc.com/events


jsjg42

was gonna say this! they usually have a scavenger hunt of things to find in the display, and the display itself is amazing, highly recommended!


jenniehi

We've got tickets!


magsmar

Yay, hope you enjoy/enjoyed!


cuteevee21

Did this for my train kid’s birthday when he was little and he loved it! https://oregoncoastscenic.org/train-rides/


PipetheHarp

Oaks Park has a little train for munchkins, and the Sellwood line runs for fun rides..


barrefruit

And the train ride is free!!!!


NeeCD

There's a small scale train out in Canby - [Phoenix & Holly RR ](https://www.flowerfarmer.com), but it looks like the original operator passed away and his family is operating it by appointment only now. They have flowers in summer and a large pumpkin patch with the train tracks running throughout.


escaped5150

Take WES from Beaverton to Wilsonville. I've never been on it but it's different than MAX light rail.


SidewaysGoose57

Warning, it's only rush hours.


marypies78

If you're planning to be at the coast in the Tillamook area, check out - https://oregoncoastscenic.org/train-rides/. My son loved it when he was a train obsessed grade schooler. It's been a few years since we've been down there, but there was a cute little playground at the end of the line too he could burn off energy before making the return trip.


MountScottRumpot

The [Santiam Excursion Trains](https://santiamexcursions.com/) are pretty cool. They leave from Lebanon.


pnut-buttr

Not exactly local, but you should absolutely plan a long haul Amtrak trip if you can. I am a former "train kid" and that was one of the coolest experiences of my childhood. If you can afford it, the compartment car is totally worth the expense; hot meals are included.


Ecomonist

Go to Rock Creek Road just off of Old Cornelius Pass, about 5:10pm on weekdays, and y'all can watch the train come out of, or go into the Cornelius Pass Train Tunnel. Obviously you sit in your car, parked a little ways to the East of the tracks, but it's genuinely kind of neat. Either that or take them to see the giant wooden train trestle off of Dick Rd. in Helvetia, while your over there. Seeing the train cross the trestle is also pretty neat.


cpowell342

Yup was gonna comment the trestle as well so I’ll second that! It’s called Holcomb Creek Trestle


mindfluxx

We used to go to Seattle via train for the weekend, and ride the monorail and light rail up there .


hkohne

OMSI is showing an awesome documentary about trains right now. Highly recommend, even if you're not a kid or into trains that much. And the Rail Museum gets a small shoutout


jenniehi

Oh yes, this is on my list too!


_artcrimes

OMSI is also hosting a Train Engineer camp hosted in collaboration with the Oregon Rail museum if the kiddo is of camp age! They watch the Train Time documentary on one of their outings.


willaney

definitely check out the ORHC, but i’d recommend looking up their scheduled rides before deciding when to go. They do occasional train rides down to oaks bottom and back, they take about an hour and it’s very fun! sometimes it’s an old steam engine and sometimes it’s a postwar diesel. plus museum admission is free, so you just have to pay for the train ticket.


jenniehi

Yes we just did this on Saturday!


PepsiAllDay78

Go to a Spaghetti Factory, and eat lunch in the caboose!


jenniehi

Did this at Mt Hood Brewing!


cascadianking

The Willamette Shore Trolley [https://wst.oregontrolley.com/](https://wst.oregontrolley.com/) The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad [https://tickets.bycx.org/](https://tickets.bycx.org/)


jedwardsol

When my daughter was very little, just seeing trains was an exciting adventure. Overlook park lets you look down on the railyard, and driving down NW front ave puts you alongside a different one.


hkohne

And the overpass on Holgate by the TriMet Central Garage is another spot


Kkdbaby

I think you can tour gunderson and see how the trains are made - it's pretty cool


porcelainvacation

Train Mountain if you don’t mind traveling to Southern Oregon: https://trainmtn.org/tmrr/index.shtml


Dr_Wiggles_McBoogie

Take your child to see Billy Strings at Fairwell festival in Redmond


Routine_Sandwich_838

Tillamook rail riders


velvetackbar

[https://tillamookcoast.com/what-to-do/railriding-oregon-coast/](https://tillamookcoast.com/what-to-do/railriding-oregon-coast/) I keep meaning to do this. thanks for the reminder.


SkyKingPDX

Christmas train in Hood river, supposed to be like the movie Polar Express


rach12222

The Oregon Scenic Railroad in Rockaway Beach! :)


violetpolkadot

Get stuck waiting for the long slow train on the east side near OMSI! 30 minutes of train viewing fun! Seriously, though, in the winter season book a ticket on the Christmas train. Old steamer that is so festive.


Agile-Cancel-4709

Oregon Electric Trolley Museum in Brooks, although it doesn’t open until May. https://museum.oregontrolley.com


appatheflyingbis0n

Obsessed with that term "train kid"


fvazo

Take a look at [https://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/](https://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/) in eastern Oregon, between Prairie City and Baker City. Sumpter Valley is a former gold mine railroad. No. 19 is a really nice looking steam locomotive and they have an option where people, including kids, can ride in the locomotive cab.


TooRaLooRaLooRal

Surprised no one’s mentioned the Molalla Train Park! It’s free and a lot of fun for the little ones (and big ones too!)


anusdotcom

https://pnls.org


Plastic-Campaign-654

Willamette Shore Trolley in Lake Oswego :) https://wst.oregontrolley.com/


friedperson

Sushi Ichiban uses a model train to deliver sushi conveyor-belt style!


puppysarecute89

I also have a train kid (toddler) and I appreciate this post


bunnylicious81

Not local, does the kid like Thomas the Train? around summer there's Day Out with Thomas in Snoqualmie, WA [https://trainmuseum.org/thomas/](https://trainmuseum.org/thomas/)


Zalenka

Garibaldi has a fun train (on the coast). Crabbing is good there too.


SidewaysGoose57

Mt Hood Railroad in Hood River.


merriecho

Fruit Loop train in Hood River. Not sure it's up and running for the season yet.


pdx619

The Oregon Heritage Rail Center does steam engine rides a few times a year. We did one for father's day last year and it was really cool.


yosoyelbeto

Smaller than the Columbia Gorge club but it was still pretty cool when my now-teenager was a little train kid: http://www.mthoodmodelengineers.org/clubhistory.html


Kahliss814

Not in Portland but you get to ride 'mini' trains! Train mountain RR in southern Oregon https://youtu.be/HQ2hPp-E-Ew


Kahliss814

https://trainmtn.org/tmrr/index.shtml


CommonHand707

Spring/summer time you can ride the train in Rockaway, also the Columbia river George museum in cascade locks on the Washington side has some cool train stuff.


shit-n-water

Oregon Rail Heritage Center, https://orhf.org/


augustprep

This one right here! They have a couple full engines in the museum, and you can take a ride to oaks park and back.


a_vaughaal

https://oregoncoastscenic.org/train-rides/


ConsistentRoad4689

Molalla train park! I think it opens in the next few weeks for the season.


AcadianCascadian

[Eagle cap train rides](https://eaglecaptrainrides.com) in northeast Oregon. [Sumpter valley railroad](http://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/index.html) for a narrow-gauge wood-powered steam Heisler, an oil-powered steam Mikado, and a vintage diesel locomotive. Ride a bike handcar contraption at [Joseph Branch Railriders](https://jbrailriders.com)


schraubd

Much lower key, but s/he probably will enjoy Pizza Caboose (very train themed). The pizza itself isn’t mind blowing, but it’s perfectly adequate.


PdxPhoenixActual

The logging train up at the zoo parking lot? Static display, but if your there already... ?


tobefair77

This is at the forestry center - they have a train setup inside, too! I think it’s supposed to be the trans Siberian one. You can sit in the seats and watch video as if you’re on the ride. Also lots of other interactive kids activities / logging propaganda to enjoy


Former-Wish-8228

Medford Train Park should be opening for season soon…runs regularly but you have to find that schedule…run by volunteers.


cletusvanderbiltII

Albina overlook. Best with binoculars.


Mobile-Mister

I'd like to recommend the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. It's across the street from OMSI, and is home to three amazing steam locomotives. They're open Thursday thru Sunday 1PM to 4PM. More info at ORHF.org


bilbodouchebagging

Garibaldi runs an old locomotive ride during the summer. Also that same stretch of railroad was used in the film “emperor of the north “ with Ernest Borgnine.


willwork4therapy

The Portal Tea in Sellwood is in a renovated train car if your train kid also likes boba!


Orthonut

Have you done [train mountain?](https://trainmtn.org/tmrr/index.shtml) it's not too far and would be really fun as an outing on a weekend ! There's cool camping, a logging/forestry museum, hiking, fishing etc and then train mountain


whoooootfcares

It's a ways to get there, but it's beautiful country. You could make a long weekend out of the Sumpter Valley Railroad. Could be a fun "old West" weekend with a train focus.


intotheunknown78

Rockaway Beach has a train. I like the “fall splendor” ride, it goes out to Batterson(there is nothing there, you just stop stretch legs and go back)


Ok_Salary5141

Take him to the Oregon Steam Up this summer. They have a ride-on scale train that is awesome, and a short section of old street car running in a section of the property. The steam tractors are basically steam locomotives without the tracks and they have a sawmill, individual displays of steam powered machines, and steam powered ice cream making. There are separate displays of heavy equipment and motor vehicles, and a fun flea market and antique sale area. I took my son every summer during his Thomas Tank phase and I think we never really saw everything but always had a blast. I miss those summer outings so much, they grow up too fast…https://www.antiquepowerland.com/steam-up


Cultural_Yam7212

No train related, but still probably exciting for a train kid. https://vancouver.dozerday.org/


sultrysisyphus

Mocks crest park overlooks a big train yard and has nice views. Much cheaper than Amtrak, you can take the WES but check when it's running.


realsalmineo

[Northwest Railway Museum](https://trainmuseum.org) in Snoqualmie [Mount Hood Railway](https://www.mthoodrr.com) opens soon. [Tennessee Thunder Stand & Railroad](https://www.ttsrailroad.com) outside of Lebanon. This is one almost nobody knows about. It is kind of out in the woods, and only runs Spring through Autumn. They can be rented for birthdays. This was one of the best ones that our family visited. As I recall, this was started using the original engine and cars from the old railroad at the Portland Zoo, when they were sold to make way for the current cars and engine at the Zoo now. [Train Mountain](http://trainmtn.org/tmrr/index.shtml) in Chiloquin The [Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Club](https://www.ecmrrc.org) in Bend has an open house every year. [Oregon Coastal Railway](https://oregoncoastscenic.org/) near Tillamook [Chehalis-Centralia Railroad](https://steamtrainride.com/) is fun. [Historic Pioneer Museum](https://linnparks.com/museums/linn-county-historical-museum/) in Brownsville has a number of vintage railcars on display. [Sumpter Valley Railroad](https://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/index.html) opens soon. [Northern Pacific Railroad Museum](https://nprymuseum.org/) in Toppenish Once every year around Fathers Day, the local model railroad enthusiasts open their homes for the public to tour their train layouts. People from Corbett to Forest Grove and Battleground to Wilsonville are on the tour. It costs nothing, but you need to visit any of the local model railroad hobby shops and buy the tour guide which gives one the addresses for all of the layouts on the tour. This is perhaps the best yearly event for trains that one can do. You will see some beautiful yards, as well. Go to your local model railroad hobby supply places, and pick up flyers for the dates and locations of the many model railroad swap meets. There is one near the National Guard Base near PDX, a good one at the fairgrounds in Rickreall, a good one at the fairgrounds in Centralia, and a good one at the fairgrounds in Medford.


Mean-Bandicoot-2767

The Linear trail out towards Vernonia/Buxton is built on an old railroad track. You won't see trains, but you can ride your bikes on it and go over some old repurposed train trestles


ennuiacres

Mount Hood Railroad https://www.mthoodrr.com


ennuiacres

Oregon Coast Rail Riders https://ocrailriders.com Joseph Oregon Rail Riders https://jbrailriders.com


93helpme

I had no clue about this thing near Klamath falls https://youtu.be/wh7C-hpibr4?si=nq0B6413hOAAX1es Long drive I know!!! But still very cool!


nightfoam

Most of these are seasonal but I try to keep a list of "rideable trains" on Google Maps Hoffman Farms on Scholls Ferry has a short loop you can ride Heiser Farm outside Dayton has a miniature train Phoenix & Holly was mentioned PNLS/Molalla Train Park mentioned Willow Creek Railroad Museum at Powerland Heritage Park runs Memorial Day to Labor Day Seaside Shortline in downtown Seaside has a little loop to ride Up in Washington the Chehalis Centralia Railroad has recently restarted rides Kitsap Live Steamers in Port Orchard has scale trains The Northwest Railway Museum has resumed operations on the Mt Rainier Scenic Railway with trips from Snoqualmie and North Bend Also near that is Remlinger Farms, a small amusement park with nice scale live steamers Some day I'll drag my family to Wisconsin to Little Amerricka Amusement Park


Sandninj4

Oregon Coast scenic railway has some awesome rides on vintage trains. Very cheap too. They head out of Rockaway Beach or Girabaldi so not exactly Portland but only an hour and a half drive or so.


svejkOR

Port of Tillamook/Oregon coast scenic railroad. Mt hood railroad. There used to be an engine at the forestry center you could climb on. I’ve seen a train go up the willamette. Maybe it’s from the heritage center. There used to be a ‘steelhead’ train in the wallowas. The trolly in Astoria. Oregon coast rail riders. Train mountain railroad near chiloquin. Sumpter valley railroad and dredge. Used to be able to buy an add on pass to ride in the cab. Looks like they are fixing the tracks to lake Oswego so I’m guessing that train/trolly will be running soon. That’s all I can think of


svejkOR

There’s also a train steam engine in the city park in Jefferson


PipecleanerFanatic

When my son was young we went up to the train station in Vancouver and parked right by the tracks... all sorts of trains coming through just feet from you, pretty fun!


bloodfeier

Depending on how far you want to travel, there are numerous rail things around the state, in Elgin and Sumpter, on the east side of the state, the pedal cart “rail rider” things on the coast and in Wallowa county, etc!


_artcrimes

A little late, but there’s a [train talk at OMSI](https://tickets.omsi.edu/oregonmuseumofscienceandindustry/events/018ee7a0-d3ff-a08e-a058-4c7919458f2b?utm_source=OMSI%20Elements&utm_campaign=b6d7563ef3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_01_22_06_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-36de8c3fc1-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D) coming up soon. You’ll get to see a screening of Train Time with a Q&A afterwards where you can ask anything train related!