About the train
The Train began July 20,1973 when The Dalles Dam wanted to open up things and give tours. The people that ran things back then came up with the idea of using a train as a train did help build the dam. So with volunteers the worked on fixing old tracks that were part of the old portage railroad. They received the original GE Switcher from Army surplus and they built the observation car from an old rail car that was being used for sandblasting. In later years the obtained the caboose from Portland and it was restored. Because of costs, repairs and 9/11, it had limited tours after that and the train was retired for good in 2005.
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Mission |
This site is dedicated to the memory of this train, that brought pleasant thoughts to all people from all over the world. It was more than just a vehicle, it shaped many lives. A whole generation now grown up and have families of their own. For this generation this is their Celilo Falls, for them this should never be forgotten.
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train History |
The train took visitors from the Seufert Park around 1973, which was the location of the Seufert Cannery. It had tours to the power house and then a final stop at Westrick Park. In 1976, the train was repainted from the Green and Yellow colors to Red, White and Blue for our countries 200th birthday, it remained those colors. A few years later they added a restored caboose from the Portland Traction Company. That brought may people, especially children real joy. Throughout the years the train was driven by retired Union Pacific engineers, and the tours were given by Corps of Engineers personnel, mostly college students worked as tour guides. In the late 1980's the tours were taken over my Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation, they continued the tours until the train was retired. This train made the visiting the dam a joyful experience. The train became its own tourist attraction. The train had its own name, it was named Les Dalles Portage Railroad and people came for miles just to ride it. In 1981, The Visitor Center and Museum out at Seufert Park was built as a train depot for the train.
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