UPDATE: We have revised this article to reflect on the latest schedule for 2017.
Tickets for the 2017 Holiday Express are available as of Sunday, Oct 15.
Are you looking for something fun to do to get into the holiday spirit this year? Well, the Holiday Express train may be just the ticket if you want to try something new with friends and family this year. We have included all the information needed for departure times and links to purchase tickets. November 24 will be the first ride available.
The trains operate in two or three shifts per day. This allows volunteers to take a break, and for the train crew to service the locomotive. Each block of time offers a variety of scenes, such as the morning’s moody layers of fog, the late afternoon low-angle sun, and the evening lights.
- Each trip takes approx. 40-45 minutes round trip.
- Be on time! Holiday Express trains depart at the advertised time.
- Arrive at Oaks Park Station at least 20 min. early to pick up your tickets and be ready to board.
- Trains traverse on the Oregon Pacific Railroad along the Willamette River in SE Portland.
- Trains are heated and lit. Wear comfortable outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes.
- Check in at big event tent for will-call tickets and boarding call.
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot cider, and cookies will be available at the station.
- Volunteers can tell you about our Enginehouse near OMSI.
- Santa will be on each train to celebrate the season.
- Train concessions, t-shirts, videos and toys on sale.
- Restrooms, shelter, parking, and refreshments available at the station.
- Daytime trains offer a variety of scenery and a chance to see wildlife.
- Early dusk trains offer a great chance to see the train decorated with lights.
- The interior of passenger cars is decorated with garland, ornaments, and lights.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets, and would like to see the schedule, here is more info from ticketswest.com:
ORHF’s Holiday Express, with six heated passenger cars, operating through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge during a wintery-wonderland season. (orhf.org)
We'd like to thank Ben Arboleda for the incredible images he allowed us to use in this article. Arboleda is a photographer in the SE Portland area and has been in photography for more than 20 years. He mostly does motorsports photography.
My photography was always just a means of capturing almost anything, but with whatever artistic flair I could muster at the time. I enjoyed showing them off to family and friends, but never dreamed of others really viewing them as pieces of art.
Hit the link here to purchase tickets today from ticketswest.com.