Western Pacific Railroad Museum
Encyclopedia
The Western Pacific Railroad Museum (WPRM) in Portola, California
, formerly known as the Portola Railroad Museum before , is a heritage railroad
that preserves and operates historic American
railroad
equipment. The museum's mission is to preserve the history of the Western Pacific Railroad
and is operated by the Feather River Rail Society , founded in 1983. It is located at a former Western Pacific locomotive facility, adjacent to the Union Pacific's former Western Pacific mainline through the Feather River Canyon
.
s, one electric locomotive
, one steam locomotive
(under restoration and on display), eighteen passenger cars (including four from the famous California Zephyr
train), numerous freight and maintenance cars and sixteen caboose
s. They offer excursions and a "Run A Locomotive" program during the summer. The WPRM has one of the larger collections of early diesel era locomotives and freight cars in North America. The museum is often considered to have one of the most complete and historic collections of equipment and materials from a single railroad family. The WPRM is a "hands-on" museum that allows visitors to board and explore locomotives and cars in their collection.
Among the significant pieces in the WPRM collection are Western Pacific 805-A
, an FP7
model passenger locomotive that pulled the California Zephyr; Southern Pacific Railroad's (SP) number 4450
, nicknamed "Huff", an EMD SD9 diesel locomotive; WP 2001, the first GP20
model locomotive (an early turbocharged diesel); WP 501, an early switch engine
and the first diesel purchased by the Western Pacific; Western Pacific 0-6-0
steam locomotive
165, an oil burning switch engine built by ALCO
in 1919; WP 37, a 200 ton rail-mounted crane
, two track clearing snowplow
s (one wedge type and one rotary
); and several rare, early 20th Century freight cars. Also located at the site are the Portola Diesel Shop built in 1953 and an interlocking tower from Oakland, California
, currently stored unrebuilt. The Western Pacific Hospital, built in 1911 and one of the few remaining railroad hospitals in the country, was part of the museum until it was destroyed in an arson fire on September 7, 2011. The WPRM prides itself on maintaining several of their road diesels in mainline operating condition and is well-known for making occasional movements on Class I railroad
s using their own historic motive power.
In 2009, chartered train from Amtrak Oakland, California travelled to the museum consisting of a standard P42DC, and well known California Zephyr private cars Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids, and Silver Solarium. The train spent the weekend in Portola celebrating the 100th anniversary of Western Pacific.
ning locations on the Feather River Route
of the Western Pacific Railroad
in the Feather River Canyon" crossing the Sierra Nevada . These sites are west and east of the Museum.
Plumas-Eureka State Park
is located nearby, as is the Lassen Volcanic National Park
. Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake
are popular fishing locations within easy driving of the museum. Graeagle, a town to the west of Portola, is home to vacation cabins and several golf courses.
This is one of the first programs of its type in the United States. More information can be found at WPLives.org. The program is so popular that it is often reserved months in advance.
passenger train. Currently, the Project's collection of equipment includes Western Pacific FP7
locomotive 805-A, dome-lounge car "Silver Hostel", dome-coach "Silver Lodge" and dining car "Silver Plate". In addition, the dome-coach "Silver Rifle" is on long term loan from the Golden Gate Railroad Museum
. The Project maintains an informational website at www.ZephyrProject.com.
Portola, California
Portola is the only incorporated city in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 2,104 at the 2010 census, down from 2,227 at the 2000 census...
, formerly known as the Portola Railroad Museum before , is a heritage railroad
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
that preserves and operates historic American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroad
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
equipment. The museum's mission is to preserve the history of the Western Pacific Railroad
Western Pacific Railroad
The Western Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the near-monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad had on rail service into northern California...
and is operated by the Feather River Rail Society , founded in 1983. It is located at a former Western Pacific locomotive facility, adjacent to the Union Pacific's former Western Pacific mainline through the Feather River Canyon
Feather River Route
The Feather River Route is a rail line that was built and operated by the Western Pacific Railroad. It was constructed between 1906 and 1909, and connects the cities of Oakland, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah...
.
Overview
Museum collection
The museum holds in its collection thirty-three diesel locomotiveDiesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
s, one electric locomotive
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
, one steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
(under restoration and on display), eighteen passenger cars (including four from the famous California Zephyr
California Zephyr
The California Zephyr is a long passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the midwestern and western United States.It runs from Chicago, Illinois, in the east to Emeryville, California, in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California...
train), numerous freight and maintenance cars and sixteen caboose
Caboose
A caboose is a manned North American rail transport vehicle coupled at the end of a freight train. Although cabooses were once used on nearly every freight train, their use has declined and they are seldom seen on trains, except on locals and smaller railroads.-Function:The caboose provided the...
s. They offer excursions and a "Run A Locomotive" program during the summer. The WPRM has one of the larger collections of early diesel era locomotives and freight cars in North America. The museum is often considered to have one of the most complete and historic collections of equipment and materials from a single railroad family. The WPRM is a "hands-on" museum that allows visitors to board and explore locomotives and cars in their collection.
Among the significant pieces in the WPRM collection are Western Pacific 805-A
Western Pacific 805-A
Western Pacific 805-A is a diesel-electric railroad locomotive built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. It was mainly used to pull passenger trains, specifically the California Zephyr , which was operated jointly by the Western Pacific, Denver and Rio Grande Western, and the...
, an FP7
EMD FP7
The EMD FP7 was a , B-B dual-service passenger and freight-hauling diesel locomotive produced between June 1949 and December 1953 by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division and General Motors Diesel. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant, excepting locomotives destined for...
model passenger locomotive that pulled the California Zephyr; Southern Pacific Railroad's (SP) number 4450
Southern Pacific 4450
Southern Pacific Railroad's locomotive number 4450, nicknamed "Huff", is an EMD SD9 diesel locomotive. 4450 was part of SP's first order of 32 SD9s, and delivered in 1954, with its original number, 5363. This order was assigned SP class DF-120 and numbered 5340-5371...
, nicknamed "Huff", an EMD SD9 diesel locomotive; WP 2001, the first GP20
EMD GP20
An EMD GP20 is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between November 1959 and April 1962. Power was provided by an EMD 567D2 16-cylinder turbocharged engine which generated 2000 horsepower...
model locomotive (an early turbocharged diesel); WP 501, an early switch engine
EMD SW1
The EMD SW1 was a diesel-electric switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between December 1938 and November 1953. Final assembly was at EMD's plant at La Grange, Illinois. The SW1 was the second generation of 600 hp switcher from EMD, succeeding the SW and SC...
and the first diesel purchased by the Western Pacific; Western Pacific 0-6-0
0-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
165, an oil burning switch engine built by ALCO
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
in 1919; WP 37, a 200 ton rail-mounted crane
Crane (railroad)
A railroad crane, is a type of crane used on a railroad for one of three primary uses: freight handling in goods yards, permanent way maintenance, and accident recovery work...
, two track clearing snowplow
Snowplow
A snowplow is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes...
s (one wedge type and one rotary
Rotary snowplow
A rotary snowplow is a piece of railroad snowfighting equipment. It is characterized by the large circular set of blades on its front end that rotate as a unit to cut through the snow on the track ahead of it.-History:...
); and several rare, early 20th Century freight cars. Also located at the site are the Portola Diesel Shop built in 1953 and an interlocking tower from Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, currently stored unrebuilt. The Western Pacific Hospital, built in 1911 and one of the few remaining railroad hospitals in the country, was part of the museum until it was destroyed in an arson fire on September 7, 2011. The WPRM prides itself on maintaining several of their road diesels in mainline operating condition and is well-known for making occasional movements on Class I railroad
Class I railroad
A Class I railroad in the United States and Mexico, or a Class I rail carrier in Canada, is a large freight railroad company, as classified based on operating revenue.Smaller railroads are classified as Class II and Class III...
s using their own historic motive power.
In 2009, chartered train from Amtrak Oakland, California travelled to the museum consisting of a standard P42DC, and well known California Zephyr private cars Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids, and Silver Solarium. The train spent the weekend in Portola celebrating the 100th anniversary of Western Pacific.
Nearby attractions
The “7 Wonders of the Western Pacific Railroad World” highlight seven key railfanRailfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
ning locations on the Feather River Route
Feather River Route
The Feather River Route is a rail line that was built and operated by the Western Pacific Railroad. It was constructed between 1906 and 1909, and connects the cities of Oakland, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah...
of the Western Pacific Railroad
Western Pacific Railroad
The Western Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the near-monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad had on rail service into northern California...
in the Feather River Canyon" crossing the Sierra Nevada . These sites are west and east of the Museum.
Plumas-Eureka State Park
Plumas-Eureka State Park
Plumas-Eureka State Park is an California state park located in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in Plumas County, California.The park, as a mining museum, shows and protects the history of the active mid-19th century California Gold Rush mining period. As a large natural area it shows and...
is located nearby, as is the Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a United States National Park in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak; the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southern-most volcano in the Cascade Range...
. Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake
Frenchman Lake
Frenchman Lake is located in Southeastern Plumas County, California and was created by the damming of Little Last Chance Creek.-Geography:...
are popular fishing locations within easy driving of the museum. Graeagle, a town to the west of Portola, is home to vacation cabins and several golf courses.
Operating a locomotive
One of the most famous aspects of the Western Pacific Railroad Museum is its nationally known Run A Locomotive (RAL) program. Except for winter and certain weekends when special events are in progress, the museum provides visitors a chance to be an engineer for an hour. Participants are given on-the-ground instruction, then they get to operate a real locomotive of their choice for an hour. A qualified engineer joins them in the locomotive for oversight and further instruction.This is one of the first programs of its type in the United States. More information can be found at WPLives.org. The program is so popular that it is often reserved months in advance.
Zephyr Project
The Zephyr Project is a program of the Feather River Rail Society to acquire, preserve and restore cars, locomotives, personal stories and artifacts relating to the California ZephyrCalifornia Zephyr
The California Zephyr is a long passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the midwestern and western United States.It runs from Chicago, Illinois, in the east to Emeryville, California, in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California...
passenger train. Currently, the Project's collection of equipment includes Western Pacific FP7
EMD FP7
The EMD FP7 was a , B-B dual-service passenger and freight-hauling diesel locomotive produced between June 1949 and December 1953 by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division and General Motors Diesel. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant, excepting locomotives destined for...
locomotive 805-A, dome-lounge car "Silver Hostel", dome-coach "Silver Lodge" and dining car "Silver Plate". In addition, the dome-coach "Silver Rifle" is on long term loan from the Golden Gate Railroad Museum
Golden Gate Railroad Museum
The Golden Gate Railroad Museum is a non-profit railroad museum in California that is dedicated to the preservation of steam and passenger railroad equipment, as well as the interpretation of local railroad history....
. The Project maintains an informational website at www.ZephyrProject.com.
See also
- Feather River RouteFeather River RouteThe Feather River Route is a rail line that was built and operated by the Western Pacific Railroad. It was constructed between 1906 and 1909, and connects the cities of Oakland, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah...
- Clio trestleClio trestleThe Clio Trestle, a historic Feather River Route railroad trestle, is a favorite railfan spot located in the Sierra Nevada near Clio, in Plumas County, California...
- Keddie WyeKeddie WyeThe Keddie Wye is a favorite railfan spot at a wye along the Feather River Route, located at Keddie, California, named after Arthur Keddie. Mr. Keddie purchased the survey rights and the right to build a railroad through the Feather River Canyon from George Jay Gould I, the son of Jay Gould...
- Clio trestle
- List of California railroads
- List of railway museums
- List of United States railroads
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
External links
- official Western Pacific Railroad Museum website
- The WP 165 Restoration Blog Updates on the restoration of Western Pacific 0-6-0 #165 steam locomotive.
- RailPictures.Net: WPRM – Photographs from the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.
- RailPictures.Net: PRM – More Western Pacific Railroad Museum photographs. (Under the Portola name)