Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (reporting mark OCSR) is a heritage railroad, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operating in Oregon, US, primarily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, with additional special trips to Wheeler, Nehalem River and into the Salmonberry River canyon. The railroad travels on tracks that pass along the edge of Tillamook Bay and the Oregon Coast, and through thick forest along the Nehalem River. The OCSR runs its collection of vintage rail equipment over 46 miles (74 km) of former Southern Pacific Transportation Company track under a lease from the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB), an entity distinct from the OCSR. Stations Garibaldi Station is the only station on the system equipped with a wheelchair lift. Railroad operations General operating schedule—as of 2025 Early-Spring through mid-spring—Trains run on an 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day weekend service Mid-Spring through mid-Fall—Trains run every day Mid-Fall through Christmas—Trains run on an 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day weekend service January and February—No trains run The above information is intended as a rough guide. Contact the company for details. Excursions Reservations are recommended. Excursions are seasonal, and do not run all year round. Travel on some excursions where alcohol is served are age restricted. Current details are on the railroad's Web site. Oregon Coastal Excursion is a 90-minute round trip between Garibaldi, OR and Rockaway Beach, OR and return. (Or between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi and return.) It is 30 minutes each direction with a 30-minute layover. Passengers may stay longer and take any available return trip. Spring Splendor Excursion and Fall Splendor Excursion are 2+1⁄4-hour round trips between Rockaway Beach, OR and Wheeler, OR. These excursions include a layover in Wheeler. These descriptions are for reference only; check company website for specific trains details. Double check departure locations. Special excursions Reservations are required for all special event trains. Moonlight Excursion is a romantic train ride from Garibaldi to Wheeler and return. Sandwiches and snacks are available for sale on this excursion; check the company web-site for details. Alcohol is served on this train—meaning this ride is only available to Passengers 21+ (This excursion usually does not include a layover in Wheeler.) Wheeler Limited Excursion Picks up passengers in Garibald then Rockaway Beach before continuing to Wheeler. There is a layover in Wheeler. The train then returns passengers to Rockaway Beach then Garibaldi. Candy Cane Express is a 60-minute round trip between Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach, then return. There is no layover in Rockaway Beach. Dinner Train This service was discontinued after the 2023 season. There are currently no plans to reintroduce this service in the near future. Sandwiches and snacks are usually available for sale on the Moonlight Excursion; check the company web-site for details. Additional Seasonal Trains are offered at various times, including: Spring Break Excursion (similar to the 'Oregon Coastal Excursion') St. Patrick's Pub Train (21+) Easter Eggstravaganza Train Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular Oktoberfest (21+) Halloween Coast Train (Departure location varies.) Rockaway Beach Tree Lighting These descriptions are for reference only; check company website for specific trains details. Double check departure locations. Special services Cab Rides are available on most trains. For an additional fee, passengers can ride in the cab of a steam locomotive or diesel locomotive—as available. (Reservations are highly recommended. Restrictions apply.) Caboose Rides Charter a caboose for a private experience (up to 10 passengers). Charters Various locomotives and/or car configurations are available for private or semi-private charter. One-way ticket Travel in one direction (no return) can be arranged by calling the railroad. Equipment Locomotives Former units Rail trail In August 2025, the future of the railroad was in jeopardy when the City of Rockaway Beach requested that the POTB remove the tracks for a trail extension. The City argues that the Railroad's proposed "rails with trail" option is too costly. Incidents 2007 Landslide In December 2007, the Oregon Coast was struck by the Great Coastal Gale of 2007. Hurricane-force winds and torrential rain caused extensive damage to the railroad in the Salmonberry River Valley. More than 7 inches (180 mm) of rain fell in less than 24 hours. Flooding and landslides washed out several embankments and one large bridge. This caused a break in the line between the coastal areas and Banks, OR. The majority of the line is now isolated from the rest of the North American rail system—causing all rail-freight operations past this break to cease. The scenic, coastal areas (where tours are given) were largely unaffected. The estimate to reconnect the line was $57.3 million (2008 dollars) equivalent to $85,684,000 in 2025. It is unlikely that the Salmonberry River portion will be reopened anytime soon. 2014 Salmonberry River disputes In 2014, the OCSR was in a series of legal challenges with the State of Oregon over the railroad's attempts to reconstruct track in the Salmonberry River corridor. These tracks had been damaged during the winter storms of 2007. The central issue was the OCSR's work included placing rock fill on the bank of the river, for which they had not obtained state permits, potentially impacting native salmon and steelhead. OCSR's position was that as a railroad, federal law exempted them from state environmental regulations. In March 2015, a decision was reported that exempted the OCSR from the state regulations. 2025 Tillamook trestle fire On October 8, 2025, a wood trestle near Tillamook was damaged by fire and rendered impassable until it could be repaired or rebuilt. While it is not used by OCSR's regular excursions, it sits on a section of track connecting the excursion route with the railroad's main restoration facility. The blaze is currently under investigation by the local sheriff's office and the railroad has been in contact with state and federal law enforcement. 2025 Tillamook Air Museum storm damage On December 16, "Blimp Hangar B" (former Naval Air Station Tillamook) suffered wind damage; the air museum was closed at that time. As of June 2026, the Tillamook Air Museum remains closed pending expensive repairs. Rail operations are unaffected. See also List of heritage railroads in the United States References External links Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Curtiss Lumber Co. 2 McCloud River Railroad Company / McCloud Railway Company Locomotive #25 Little River Railroad #126/Columbia River Belt Line "Skookum" Port of Tillamook Bay 6139