Welcome to the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society. This is Neal lmperatrice, and we will go on a journey through the city of Portland, and the Oregon side of the Gorge. First, we’ll see the engine facility with engines from the past, and present day. Next to the facility is an oil facility, and electric grounds for the city of Portland. On the ceiling you’ll find the U.S.S. Enterprise and a Klingon War Bird (cloaked), but you’ll need to look very carefully.

Next, we go to the engine roundhouse. Steam engines are stored in the Roundhouse for repairs and restoration. Behind the roundhouse, is the Broadway Bridge and Lovejoy Ramp. On the ramp closest to us are Greek Graffiti on the pillars at the end of the ramp. On the Broadway Bridge Ramp, we have street cars, automobiles, trucks, and buses. In the 1950s, when our layout is set, the buses, and trolleys were run by Rose City Transit, which is now known as TRIMET.

SP 4449 alongside other engines outside the roundhouse

Now we come to the train station on Hoyt Street. The train station is called Union Station, and it’s 130 years old. The station opened its doors February 14th, 1896 on Valentines Day. From the 1950s until about 1971 the famous GO BY TRAIN sign was lit up, and it was relit around 1985. The train station has nearly a dozen tracks filled with passenger trains. Back in the early years of the station, it hosted trains from many different railroads, including Spokane Portland & Seattle, Great Northern Railroad (The Empire Builder), The Milwaukee Road, and the Union Pacific, and now services Amtrak. Our model of the station was built by a pair of Hollywood model makers. It was put together in over more than 500 hours. On the other side of the station is the Albina Yard, which is known for freight trains from other railroads all around this great nation of ours. Above the yard is the Albina District. Street cars loop around the district then head back down the Broadway Bridge. At the far end is the soon to be site of the Pittock Mansion.

Alongside the train station we have a bus station, and next door is a fire station, and many other buildings, including a new feature of our Downtown Portland. We now have Franz Bakery complete with the Famous spinning Bread Sign. Soon we will also have a 7-Up building and 7-Up sign! Continuing onward, we have Oaks Park, and the Steel Bridge.

As we leave Portland we arrive in Troutdale, Oregon where we have a working miniature coal dump and coal barge. Next to the dump is a stock yard with cattle in the corals, and a couple barns. Above Troutdale to the east is Crown Point with The Vista House at the top of the hill.

Now we arrive in Sandy Oregon. There is a drive in theater with old movies (I, myself am related to some movie stars: The Three Stooges). We also have a furniture shop serviced by a rail siding just off the mainline.

Our next stop is Multnomah Falls, with a waterfall and a small bridge half way to the top of the waterfall. At the bottom of the falls there is a model of Multnomah Falls lodge. We almost lost the real lodge to the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017 when an 18 year old lit and threw a fire cracker over the cliff and started the fire.

As we reach the end of the isle we see a lumber mill near Hood River, with a working log dump into the water and logs being cut. The mill features a wigwam burner, which lights up at night. And finally we come into Hood River Oregon. Hood River is famous for their Apples, Cherries, and Pears. In real life, the Mt. Hood Railroad offers a dinner train which is a great way to see the orchards.

A Tour Of The Layout Part 1 by Neal Imperatrice

Oregon trunk project

Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society