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About the Washington Park and Zoo Railway

The Washington Park and Zoo Railway
offers a scenic excursion aboard diesel or steam powered trains over 30-inch gauge track on grades up to 4%.

Travelers view lush scenery on a trip through the forests of Washington Park. At the Washington Park terminal, during the summer, take in the commanding view of downtown Portland, Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, or take a walk through the world-famous International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden. The ride concludes with a trip around the Zoo Loop.

The railway operates three trains which are approximately five-sixths the size of the old narrow-gauge trains. Two cars are equipped with wheelchair lifts. All trains feature covered, open-air cars.

The railway carries more than 350,000 passengers annually. It is the last railroad in the United States that has continually offered U.S. mail service. Letters deposited on the zoo railway receive a special hand-cancellation.

The railway, located five minutes from downtown Portland, operates daily, weather permitting, spring, summer and fall. It also runs evenings for ZooLights the month of December.

History of the Washington Park and Zoo Railway

The Portland Zoo Railway grew out of a planned kiddie's train that was to be part of Portland's new zoo. The zoo, being relocated to the current site, was slated to open in the summer of 1959 during all the festivities of Oregon's centennial celebration. When plans were unveiled for the 30" gauge line, train fans from around the region pitched in with suggestions, fundraising efforts and manual labor. The planning group included members of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club, and the Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.

Schoolchildren sold "stock" at $1.00 per share and a children's book called Clickety Clack and the Bandits was sold to help pay for the zoo line. The Portland Zoo Railway began operation June 9, 1958 with the Zooliner, our first train. The Zooliner is still the primary train used today.

The following year found three passenger trains in the zoo railway's stable. The Zooliner was transplanted to North Portland, site of the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair. It was joined by a brand new steam train, pulled by the "Oregon" steam locomotive. A Circus Train was built to operate at the zoo during this time. Parts and equipment from the Circus Train are still in use as part of the Oregon Express train. Most of the train equipment was built in Portland by local firms at cost or donated. Several parts were also donated.

In 1960 the 1 1/2 mile extension to Washington Park opened. The line was surveyed by the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was constructed with the help of the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway (now part of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway) and the Portland Terminal Railroad Co. The Union Pacific hauled ballast donated by the school children in Prineville, Oregon at no charge.

In 1978 the railroad was renamed Washington Park and Zoo Railway when the City of Portland turned over operation of the zoo to Metro. This name better reflects the service provided by the zoo railway.

Today all three trains (the Zooliner, the Centennial Steam Train, and the Oregon Express) operate simultaneously on busy days. The steam train runs on special occasions. Additional rolling stock also includes a fire train built in 1959 by Weyerhaeuser Corp., and a work train. They are all cared for by both professional staff and volunteers.

See more photos and read the history of the "Oregon" steam locomotive.