Portland train museum saves historic turntable

(OCTOBER 20, 2023) Seeing a turntable move a massive locomotive is an amazing sight. The Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) has a unique opportunity to restore and install the historic Brooklyn Railyard Turntable at their rail center in Portland. This turntable will assist in moving and maintaining their locomotive collection, making it one of the few operational turntables available for the public to see.

ORHC's three historic locomotives were originally housed at Union Pacific's Brooklyn railyard, but they were moved to their current location in 2012 due to railyard upgrades. The Foundation also rescued the heart of that yard, the historic Brooklyn Turntable, which was built in 1924 and designed to spin massive locomotives 360 degrees. This action lets the trains change tracks and change directions easily.

Generous donors have already contributed $2 million to restore the Brooklyn Turntable, and ORHC is now only about $1 million away from realizing their dream. They are asking both former donors and new rail fans to help bring the Brooklyn Turntable full circle by donating to support its installation and property reconfiguration. 

People can visit the Oregon Rail Heritage Center at 2250 SE Water Avenue in Portland. It is open Thursday through Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Admission is free, and there is also free parking.