PLACES: Antique Powerland, Brooks, Oregon

At first, I wasn't sure how to categorize this page, as it certainly crosses over between my website's various areas, as it includes railroad equipment, classic cars, and an event: the Great Oregon Steam-Up. But basically, Antique Powerland is a place, and that told me where this page belonged. This page involved a lot of internet research, and I visited far more sites than I can list in paragraph form. I have linked to these sites throughout the page, and many are also listed at the bottom. Additional information was also taken from Wikipedia.

I recommend taking a look at this entire page, but it is fairly long, so if you are looking for a specific section, here are some bookmarks so you can skip ahead:

Steam Powered Sawmill

Traction Engines & Tractors

Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society

Oregon Fire Service Museum

Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum

Pacific Northwest Truck Museum

Antique Powerland is located in Brooks, Oregon. It is a 62-acre property that is home to a group of museums and historical groups, all dedicated to preserving various types of power generation and transportation technology. Antique Powerland is best known for the holding the annual Great Oregon Steam-Up during the last weekend in July and the first weekend in August. Most of the pictures on this page were taken during the Great Oregon Steam Up on August 4, 2007. Unfortunately, I filled my camera's memory cards before I went through the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum or the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Museum and before I passed by the Willow Creek Railroad, so I didn't have any pictures of them, but they are all well worth visiting. On August 3, 2008, I came to the Steam Up again and photographed the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum, made a video while riding the trolley, and took some other photos.

The history of Antique Powerland dates back to the founding of the Western Steam Fiends Association in Colton, Washington in 1951. The first Steam-Up was held in 1952 at a members farm in Colton. In the late 1960s, the Steam-Up was held in Woodburn, Oregon, and later Gervais, Oregon. Western Antique Power Inc. was formed in December 1969 and leased, and later purchased the 62-acre property that is now Antique Powerland. The first steam-up was held on the new site in 1970. Branch 15 of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association was formed here in 1971. The Willow Creek miniature railroad was added in 1975. The historic Brooks railroad dept was moved to Antique Powerland in 1986 and became the home of the Brooks Historical Society. The Oregon Two-Cylinder Club began displaying John Deere tractors at Antique Powerland in 1987. The Pacific Northwest Truck Museum came the site in 1988. The Oregon Fire Service Museum was established in 1993. The Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society moved to Antique Powerland in 1996. Other organizations involved with Antique Powerland include the Antique Implement Society, the the Northwest Blacksmith Association, The Oregon Tractor Pullers, the Willamette Valley Model Railroad Club, and the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.

For more information, read Steam Traction Magazine's history of the Western Steam Fiends.

I encountered a few interesting vehicles as I explored Antique Powerland. These didn't appear to be a part of any particular organization's display.

I saw this Saab 96 driving through Antique Powerland toward the exit shortly after I arrived. I think it may have part of the Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum's car show, but I didn't see it again.

I saw this early 1950s Ford flatbed truck parked alongside one of the buildings along the main road in Antique Powerland. It wasn't really on display; it looked like it was just parked or stored.

This 1928 Ford Model A pickup was part of one of the outdoor display areas, surrounded by various small engines.

This truck was just sitting on the grounds, somewhat near the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum, but not close enough for me to tell if it was part of that museum's collection. It didn't have a sign, but some internet research suggests it is a 1918 GMC log truck.

At the 2008 Steam Up this truck had been moved slightly and given a load of logs. It also wore signs confirming that it is a 1918 GMC.

This unusual motorcycle-based vehicle, part tricycle, part car, was one of a pair parked near the steam railway derrick owned by the Western Steam Fiends Association. These were not really on display; they seemed like they were the personal transportation of some the volunteers.

The following vehicles were photographed during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam Up.

Here is a McCormick Farmall Tractor being driven down Parade Road before the parade.

This 1921 Buick Touring Car was parked along Parade Road across from the grandstands. By the time of the parade it had moved.

On display was this 1936 Chevrolet Tank Truck, owned by the Pruett family of Portland, Oregon.

This 1942 Willys MB from World War II was displayed by the Salem Amateur Radio Club.

Ford Motor Company produced over 15 million Model Ts from 1908 until 1927. This 1923 Model T Touring Car features a 20-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that delivers fuel economy of 25-30 miles per gallon and a top speed of 40-45 miles per hour. It was restored and donated to the Northwest Car and Vintage Motorcycle Museum by Dale and Marie Turnidge of Salem, Oregon. It is shown here displayed in the Dezotell Building in 2008.

This is a 1937 Indian Four motorcycle, with the "upside-down" four-cylinder engine and dual carburetors. Formerly with the L.A. Motor Patrol, it is on loan from Larry Leek. It is shown here displayed in the Dezotell Building in 2008.

There were many more classic cars on display at the Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum's car show. Pictures of these cars can be found further down the page.

Brooks Historical Society

The historic Brooks railroad depot was originally built by the Southern Pacific Railroad in downtown Brooks. It was moved to Antique Powerland in 1986 and is now the home of the Brooks Historical Society's museum; it is being maintained in its original condition and is filled with historical artifacts.

Here is the Brooks Depot during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam Up, with railroad speeders parked in front of it. This speeders were giving rides on the trolley line; the trolley was operating as well.

I had seen most of the speeders before at other events, except for this one lettered for the Longview, Portland & Northern Railroad.

Western Steam Fiends Association Steam Powered Sawmill

The steam-powered sawmill building was the first building constructed on the Antique Powerland property. The sawmill was operating at the 1970 Steam-Up. The sawmill is typically operated by the Western Steam Fiends Association. Here is a short video of the sawmill in operation.

The boiler for the steam-powered sawmill was originally the boiler from a Shay-type steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive & Machine Company of Lima, Ohio in 1906. The locomotive was a Class B 2-Truck Shay, completed on February 1, 1906, with shop number 1627. The locomotive was originally sold to W. D. Hofius & Company of Seattle, Washington as their #5, but it changed hands many times during its life, being passed to the Eastern & Western Lumber Company of Portland, Oregon and the Eufaula Company of Kelso, Washington before being purchased by the Donovan-Dubois Lumber Company of Cascades, Washington on August of 1921. By November of 1922, the locomotive has been in three wrecks, but was repaired each time. It was involved in another serious wreck in April of 1923 by which time it had passed to the McCall Logging Company of Timber, Oregon. A few days after the wreck, it was transferred to the Sunset Logging Company in Timber, Oregon. It isn't clear when or if it was repaired , but it would remain in this general area, serving the East Side Logging Company and Rock Creek Logging Company in Keasey and Lausmann, but would be back to the Sunset Logging Company in Timber by November of 1927. (I suspect those companies were all under the same ownership, as they were all in very close proximity to each other) In the end, the locomotive was scrapped, except for the boiler. This may have occurred following the accident in 1923, with the boiler being used as a power supply from that point on, or the locomotive may have been repaired and returned to service.

The locomotive's known history is available at ShayLocomotives.com.

Antique Implement Society

This 1880 Allis-Chalmers Mill Engine produces 150 horsepower at 80 rpm. It was first installed at the B. P. John's Furniture factory at John's Landing in Portland, Oregon. In 1927 it was moved to Salem Sash and Door at Ferry and Church Streets in Salem, Oregon. In 1955 it was moved to the Yoder Mill in Yoder, Oregon. It was installed here in 1979.

This Fairbanks-Morse engine-generator set powered the first chair lift on Mt. Hood from 1937 until electric service became available in the 1950s. It was acquired by Clyde Schurman, who restored and preserved it. The Schurman family's Trial Run Trust donated it to the Antique Implement Society, which is raising funds for a building addition to house this unit.

Portable Steam Engines, Traction Engines and Tractors

The Great Oregon Steam-Up main purpose in the gathering and display of tractors and steam traction engines. The Antique Powerland organization related to them is Branch 15 of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association. Here is a video of Traction Engines in operation.

I have grouped my pictures of tractors and traction engines by manufacturer, but first, here are some unknown and mixed-group pictures.

I don't know mush about this early three-wheeled tractor, as it did not seem to have any name on it, nor did it have a sign. A search of the internet failed to find anything that looked close enough to be a positive match, though there were several manufacturers that made similar tractors.

Here is a picture of a pair of early tractors. The tractor in the front is a 1910 5-10 horsepower tractor by the Avery Company of Peoria, Illinois. The tractor behind it is a Mogul tractor made by the International Harvester Company.

This photograph shows three tractors. The tractor in the front was made by the J. I. Case Company of Racine, Wisconsin (see below) The next tractor was built by the John Lauson Manufacturing Company of New Holstein, Wisconsin. The third tractor is a McCormick-Deering tractor built by International Harvester. There is more on McCormick-Deering further down the page.

J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company

Jerome Increase Case started building threshing machines in Racine, Wisconsin in 1842. He later expanded into portable steam engines and built his first traction engine in 1876. The Case name is still used on farm and construction equipment today. For more about the history of Case, read the Oak Clearing Farm & Museum's History of J. I. Case or Farm Collector's The Threshing Machine King.

Traction Engine

Portable Steam Engine

Here is a video clip of a J. I. Case Traction Engine in operation at Antique Powerland during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam Up on August 3, 2008.

Russell & Company

Russell & Company of Massillon, Ohio produced various types of farm and industrial equipment, including stationary and portable engines, threshing machines, sawmills and eventually gas tractors. They are perhaps best known for their traction engines. Nearly 16,000 Russell traction engines were built between 1882 and 1924, ranging from 6 to 150 horsepower. The company went bankrupt and shut down in 1942. For more information about Russell & Company, visit the The National Russell Collectors Association or read Steam Traction Magazine's article about Russell & Company.

1915 20 horsepower Traction Engine #15472 by Russell & Company of Massillon, Ohio, owned and restored by the J. Serres Family of Woodburn, Oregon. This traction engine weighs 22,000 pounds.

Traction engine #15113

Traction Engine #15815

Traction Engine #15820

Traction Engine #15989

Here is a video clip of a Russell & Company Traction Engine in operation at Antique Powerland during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam Up on August 3, 2008.

Geiser Manufacturing Company

Peter Geiser starting building farm equipment in the 1850s. The Geiser Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1869 in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and the Peerless traction engine was introduced in 1881. An example of the Peerless is pictured. The company declared bankruptcy in 1939.

For more information about the Geiser Manufacturing Company, see the Allison-Antrim Museum's Geiser Manufacturing Company History or Steam Traction Magazine's Short Chronological History of the Geiser Manufacturing Company and History of the Geiser Plant at Waynesboro, Pennsylvania in 1903.

M. Rumely Company

Meinrad Rumely came from Germany to America in 1848 along with his brother Jacob. One of Meinrad's first jobs in America was with Russell & Company. He later opened a blacksmith shop in LaPorte, Indiana and founded the M & J Rumely Company with his brother in 1853. They started producing threshing machines and moved into portable steam engines and later traction engines. Meinrad bought out his brother in 1882 and remaned the company as the M. Rumely Company. Meinrad passed away in 1904, leaving the company to his sons, William and Joseph. Joseph's son Edward, who had spent a lot of his youth with Meinrad and later studied at Oxford and Heidelburg, where he met Rudolf Diesel and became interesting in the internal combustion engine, returned to LaPorte in 1907 and took a job with the company, eventually gaining control of it. Under Edward, Rumely introduced the OilPull tractor in 1910. The OilPull was powered by kerosene, which was known as coal oil at the time and was less expensive than gasoline. The OilPull used one of the first kerosene engines, and was very successful. Rumely purchased the Advance Thresher Company in 1911 and Aultman-Taylor in 1923, before merging with Allis-Chalmers in 1931. All Rumely products were discontinued by 1935.

For more information about the M. Rumely Company, visit Rumely Collector's News.

Traction Engine

OilPull Tractor

1910 OilPull Tractor

Aultman & Taylor Machinery Company

The Aultman & Taylor Machinery Compay of Mansfield, Ohio was founded by Cornelius Aultman and Henry Hobart Taylor. The company started building portable steam engines in 1876 and first built traction engines in 1880. Aultman & Taylor was bought out by Rumely in 1923. Steam Traction Magazine features a multi-chapter history of Aultman & Taylor

1911 Traction Engine

1912 Traction Engine

Traction Engine

1917 22-45 Horsepower Tractor

Advance Thresher Company

The Advance Thresher Company of Battle Creek, Michigan was formed in 1881. It was bought out by the M. Rumely Company in 1911. Pictured is an example of an Advance traction engine.

Austin Manufacturing Company

Frederick Carleton Austin founded the F. C. Austin Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1888. He sold the company in 1902 though the company continued producing construction equipment for many years, such as the steamroller shown.

A. B. Farquhar Company

Arthur Briggs Farquhar starting working as a apprentice for farm manufacturer W. W. Dingee and Company of York, Pennsylvania in 1856. In 18 months, he bought a stake in the company using an advance from his father and became a partner. The company was renamed the Pennsylvania Agricultural Works. Eventually Farquhar led the company, and it was renamed the A. B. Farquhar Company in 1889. By that time stationary and portable steam engines, like the one shown, and traction engines were the company's main products, though it later expanded into gas engines and tractors. The tractor line was sold to the Oliver Farm Equipment Corporation in 1925, and rest of the company was sold to Oliver in 1952.

For more information, see Steam Traction Magazine's Company History: A. B. Farquahar and Short History of the A. B. Farquhar Company.

Cockshutt Farm Equipment Company

James Cockshutt formed the Cockshutt Farm Equipment Company of Brantford, Ontario, Canada in 1877. It was incorporated in 1882. It is best known for its tractors from 1946-1957. The company was bought out by the Oliver Corporation in 1962. For more information about Cockshutt tractors, visit the International Cockshutt Club, or see A Cockshutt Tractor History at Yesterday's Tractor Company.

Nearly the entire production line of Cockshutt Tractors; starting at the back are the 20, 30, 40 and 50 from the 1950s. In the front is a 570 Super from 1961-62, an example of Cockshutt's last production model.

Minneapolis-Moline Power Equipment Company

The Minneapolis-Moline Power Equipment Company was formed in 1929 by the merger of the Moline Implement Company, the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company and the Minneapolis Steel and Machinery Company. The company was bought out by the White Motor Company in 1963. Pictured is a 1961 Minneapolis-Moline M5 Tractor.

For more information about Minneapolis-Moline Tractors, visit the Minneapolis-Moline Collectors Club, MinneapolisMoline.com, or Minneapolis-Moline.com.

Deere & Company

John Deere set up a blacksmith shop in Grand Detour, Illinois in 1837 and quickly invented a pioneering steel plow that became very popular. Deere starting building his plows in advance and selling the completed product instead of building them as they were ordered. Deere was involved in a number of partnerships to mass produce his plow and other products until he incorporated Deere & Company in 1868. The company passed from John Deere to his son Charles and on to William Butterworth in 1907, who expanded the company into the tractor business. Deere & Company still builds tractors today.

For more about John Deere tractors, visit A History of John Deere Tractors by Dave Cole.

John Deere Waterloo Boy & Model D tractors. The Waterloo Engine Company began producing the kerosene-fueled Waterloo Boy tractor in 1913. Wanting to enter the tractor market, Deere & Company purchased the Waterloo Engine Company in 1918 and continued producing the Waterloo Boy until 1924. In 1923, Deere & Company began producing its own tractor design, the Model D, which would be produced until 1953

This is an example of the Deere & Company Model M, which was produced from 1947 to 1952. This particular tractor is an all-yellow Model MI industrial tractor.

Here are a pair of Deere & Company Model R Tractors. The Model R was produced from 1949 to 1954, and was the company's first diesel-powered tractor.

Holt Manufacturing Company

Benjamin Holt of the Holt Manufacturing Company of Stockton, California started applying Richard Hornsby's caterpillar tracks to tractors in 1904 to keep them from getting stuck in northern California's soft soil. He bought the patent for the caterpillar track from Hornsby in 1914. The Holt Manufacturing Company merged with the C. L. Best Gas Traction Company of San Leandro, California in 1925 to form the Caterpillar Tractor Company, known today was Caterpillar, Inc. The Holt family today owns one of the largest Caterpillar dealers in the world: HOLT CAT. Pictured is a 1918 Holt 75 Tractor.

International Harvester Company

International Harvester Company was formed in 1902 by the merger of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company. Initially, McCormick and Deering continued operating independently, and the International Harvester name didn't significantly enter the tractor field until after 1910.

1918 15-30 hp International Harvester kerosene tractor, owned and restored by Tom and Emma Stuart of Salem, Oregon. It was restored in 1983.

I am not entirely sure about this tractor, but I think it is an I think it is an International Harvester from around 1920.

McCormick-Deering

Although the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company merged to form International Harvester in 1902, the individual lines continued for years, and later the names were combined for a line of tractor. Pictured is a 1928 McCormick-Deering 15-30 horsepower tractor owned & displayed by the Arden Danielson family.

Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company

The Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company was formed in 1901 by the merger of the Edward P. Allis Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Fraser & Chalmers Company of Chicago, Illinois. It is indirectly named after Edward Phelps Allis and William J. Chalmers. The company starting making farm equipment in 1914. Pictures is a 1931 Allis-Chalmers 20-35 horsepower tractor owned by Bob Keil Arora and restored by Dave Dezotell of Corvallis.

For more information, visit the Unofficial Allis Home Page.

Samson Iron Works

The Sieve-Grip tractor was introduced in 1902 by John Kroyer of the Samson Iron Works of Stockton, California. Samson was purchased by General Motors in 1918 and moved to Wisconsin. Production ended in 1922. Pictured is a 1912 Samson 4-5 hp Sieve-Pull three-wheeled tractor.

Heer Engine Company

The Heer Engine Company took over the Ideal Manufacturing Company of Portsmouth, Ohio. Heer introduced its first tractor in 1912. It was the first four wheel drive tractor on the market. Pictured is an example of a Heer tractor.

Parrett Tractor Company

The Parrett Tractor Company of Ottawa, Illinois was founded by brothers Henry and Dent Parrett and Henry Pollard. The company moved to Chicago in 1915. Parrett tractors were made under license by Massey-Ferguson beginning in 1918, but by 1922, competition from Ford put Parrett out of business. Pictured is a 1914 Parrett 12-25 hp tractor.

Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society

The Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society was founded in 1957. The OERHS negotiated a lease of property in Glenwood, Oregon that was the former headquarters of the Consolidated Timber Company and the Gales Creek & Wilson River Railroad, which was abandoned in 1950 and the tracks pulled up, but the railroad grade and shop buildings remained. The OERHS laid new tracks and hung catenary wires to turn the property into a Trolley Park, which opened around 1967. This was a secluded, wooded, rural area that wasn't near any major cities or other tourist attractions. In 1995, in an effort to have a better location, the OERHS, signed a lease at Antique Powerland, and the Glenwood Trolley Park closed in October, 1995. All of the trolleys and equipment were moved to Brooks and the tracks at Glenwood removed. Trolley operation at Antique Powerland began in 1999.

Brian McCamish visited the site of the Glenwood Trolley Park in 2005, click here for photos.

Here is a video taken from aboard trolley #1187 during its trip around Antique Powerland during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam-Up on August 3, 2008.

Part of the Trolley Line includes this Magnetic Flagman, or Wigwag, crossing signal, made by the Magnetic Signal Company of Los Angeles, California. These signals were installed in the early 1900s until the 1940s. This wigwag was removed from another location in Oregon, donated to the OERHS and installed in 2002 when the trolley line extension to the Brooks depot was added. Here is a short video of trolley #1187 passing the wigwag.

Since 1995, the OERHS has also operated the Willamette Shore Trolley between Portland and Lake Oswego, Oregon. Several of the society's trolleys have been used on this line. Since 2004, "Broadway Car" #813 had been assigned to the Willamette Shore Trolley line. Even though #813 was not at Antique Powerland and I photographed in on the Willamette Shore Trolley line, it is part of the OERHS collection and may return to Brooks in the future, so I am including it on this page.

Portland Traction "Broadway Car" #813

Car #813 is one of 15 Master Units built by J. G. Brill and Company in 1932 for the Portland Traction Company. In Portland, these cars were called "Broadway Cars," after the line they were originally assigned to. When Portland's narrow gauge streetcar lines were shut sown in 1950, #813 was one of two Broadway cars to be changed to standard gauge for use on the interurban lines, which lasted until 1958. On the Interurban lines, #813 was renumbered to #4012. In 1959, the car was sold to the OERHS, who put it on display at Oaks Amusement Park until the Glenwood Trolley Park was open. In the 1990s, the car was given a full restoration, which was completed in 1998, restoring the car to its original number and paint scheme, though it retains its standard gauge trucks. When the OERHS moved to Brooks, #813 was moved to the Willamette Shore Trolley, though it made at least one trip back to Brooks, for the 2000 Great Oregon Steam-Up.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#813 in service in 1949, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#4012 in service in Portland, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

Now, on with the rest of the collection...

New South Wales Government Tramways O-class tram #1187

Open car #1187 is an O-class tram ("tram" is the British term for "trolley" or "streetcar") from Sydney, Australia. It was built in 1912 by the Meadowbank Manufacturing Company of Meadowbank, New South Wales, Australia for the New South Wales Government Tramways. A total of 626 O-class trams were built, the largest class of trams in Australia, and they operated until 1958. Only 6 O-class trams survive today; this is the only one in America. This is the car the museum was operating during my visit, and would appear the be their favorite car for operations for obvious reasons: it is in excellent condition and as an open car the passengers can be relatively comfortable in the summer heat. In 1998, this was the first trolley to carry paying passenger at Powerland, while using a generator car for electricity, in 1999 it was the first to carry passengers while drawing its power from the overhead wires, and in 2002 it was the first to enter the carbarn under its own power. The car was given a cosmetic restoration, including a new roof and paint in 2007.

For more information, visit the Sydney Powerhouse Museum's page about Tram #805.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1187 at the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1991, courtesy of Trainnet.org

Blackpool Corporation Tramways tram #48

Double-decker tram #48 is from Blackpool, England. It was built in 1927-28 by Blackpool Corporation Tramways. Though some of the Blackpool double-decker trams were rebuilt from earlier cars, very little from the original #48 was used in this car, making it a virtually new car in 1928. This car is one of a group of 55 cars known as "Standards," built between 1923 and 1929. It was one of the last "Standards" to be in service when it was retired in 1962. It is one of only 6 surviving cars of this type. Though the upper level is more popular among museum visitors, the lower level has more comfortable padded seats instead of the wooded slat benches of the upper level. This car was used on the Willamette Shore Trolley line for many years, but was replaced by original Portland "Broadway Car" #813 in 2004, as the wear and tear of the heavy tourist traffic was taking its toll on the car. The car was moved to Powerland in 2006.

For more information visit this Blackpool Trams History page.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#48 at the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1992, courtesy of Trainnet.org

#48 on the Willamette Shore Trolley line in 2000, courtesy of nycsubway.org

#48 in the Willamette Shore Trolley carbarn in 2004, courtesy of nycsubway.org

British Columbia Electric Railways interurban car #1304

Interurban car #1304 was built in 1911 by the British Columbia Electric Railways in their New Westminster Shops. It was built as a private car for the Governor General of Canada, the Duke of Connaught, to use during a 1912 visit to British Columbia and was originally named Duke of Connaught in his honor. After his visit, the car was converted into a coach for use on the Fraser Valley line between Vancouver and Chilliwack, British Columbia. In 1945, the car caught fire while part of a 3-car train and burned to the floorboards, however it was insured by Lloyds of London, who paid to have it rebuilt at New Westminster in 1946. This rebuild made it essentially a new car, and makes this the last wooden interurban built in North America. The car weighs 40 tons, produces 400 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 80 miles per hour. The interior is partitioned into two sections: a smaller men's smoking section and a larger non-smoking section for women and families. The car was retired in 1954, and was sold to the Willamette Valley Electric Railway Association for $1.00. The car was moved on its own wheels to the roundhouse in Union Pacific's Albina Yard, where it was restored by WVERA volunteers. It was moved to the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1958. This car is owned by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society and is on long-term loan to the OERHS.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1304 in service in Canada, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#1304 in service at the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1979, courtesy of trainnet.org

#1304 at the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1986 with #1187, courtesy of nycsubway.org

Serviço de Transportes Colectivos do Porto tram #210

Single-truck tram #210 is from Porto, Portugal. It was built in the United States as a kit from J. G. Brill & Company around 1909-1912 and shipped to Porto, Portugal. It was rebuilt in 1940 and continued to serve until 1994 when it was put into storage at the Massarelos Works next to the Porto Tram Museum. It was donated to the OERHS in 2005. It was shipped from Portugal to New Jersey in July 2006 and trucked across the United States to Powerland. This car is similar to Portland's early 4-wheel streetcars, and also shows a family resemblance to the Council Crest Cars.

Portland Street Railway Company "Council Crest Cars" #503 & #506

Council Crest Cars #503 (above) and #506 (left) were built by The American Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri (a subsidiary of J.G. Brill & Company) in 1904 as part of a group of 10 cars built to serve the 2.5-mile streetcar line between downtown Portland and Council Crest Park, Portland's highest point, that opened in 1906. They were originally numbered 201-210, but were soon renumbered. Due to the steep grades of this line, these narrow-gauge cars were built with particularly low gearing and electric brakes and auxiliary hand brakes instead of typical air brakes. These features meant that the Council Crest cars remained on the Council Crest Line until Portland's streetcar service ended in 1950. After retirement, #503 was donated to a Boy Scout troop in North Portland for use as a clubhouse. In the 1960s, it was acquired by the OERHS and restored at the trolley park in Glenwood, Oregon. It was placed on standard gauge trucks from Australia and restored to operation in 1976. It was displayed in downtown Portland in 1980, operated on Market Street in San Francisco during the summers of 1983 and 1984, and was the first streetcar used on the Willamette Shore Trolley Line in late 1987. As for #506, after retirement it was donated to the Oregon Historical Society, who had it put on display at Council Crest Park, where weather and vandalism took its toll until it was removed in 1972. It was moved to the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1976. This car retains its original narrow-gauge trucks, and therefore could not currently operate at Powerland, even if fully restored. These two cars were used as the basis for Portland's Vintage Trolley replicas that were built by Gomaco in 1991.

For more photos and information, visit PdxHistory.com's Council Crest Trolleys page.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#503 and a sister car in service in Portland, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#506 in service in Portland, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#506 displayed at Council Crest Park, courtesy Richard C. DeArmond's Trolleybus Website

#503 in service in San Francisco in 1983, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#503 in service in San Francisco, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#503 in service in San Francisco in 1985, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#503 in service in San Francisco with a MUNI LRV in 1985, courtesy of Dave's Elec. RRs

#503 at the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1986, courtesy of nycsubway.org

Portland Electric Power Company interurban car #1067

Interurban Car #1067 was built in the company shops of the Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO) (now Portland General Electric) in Milwaukie, Oregon in 1907-08. Among its duties was carrying workmen on the line out to the Cazadero Dam and powerhouse on the Clackamas River. The car was damaged in a crossing accident in 1917 and burned, but was rebuilt. It was retired in 1945 and was moved to Cannon Beach where it was used as a beach cabin. It was discovered by an OERHS member and brought to the trolley park in 1981. This is the last remaining trolley car in existence that was built in the state of Oregon.

Between the 2007 and 2008 Great Oregon Steam Ups, some progress had been made on #1067, as evidenced by this one side being primered.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1067 in service in Portland, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

East Side Railway snow sweeper #1455

Snow sweeper #1455 was built for Portland's East Side Railway in 1899 by the McGuire Car Company. It is the oldest car in the OERHS collection. Streetcar companies were required by their franchise agreements with cities to clear the street of snow and dust. Often, this was necessary for the streetcars to operate anyway. On a snowy day, #1455 would go out in the morning ahead of the first streetcar to clear the tracks, and if it was snowing during the day, it might have to out to rescue a stuck streetcar. The snow sweeper wasn't retired until the end of interurban service in 1958, but snow is relatively rare in Portland, and the last time it was used to clear snow was in 1954. After retirement, the snow sweeper was put on display at Oaks Amusement Park for a time before being donated to the OERHS.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1455 in service in Portland, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

Los Angeles Railway H-class streetcar #1318

Streetcar #1318 was built in 1923 for the Los Angeles Railway by the St. Louis Car Company. It is one of 250 H-class streetcars built in the 1201-1450 series. They were the first all-steel streetcars in Los Angeles. The layout of this car, with open-air seating at the ends and enclosed seating in the center, was common in California, leading to cars of this style being referred to as "California Cars." The streetcars of the Los Angeles Railway were called "Yellow Cars" in contrast to the interurban of the Pacific Electric Railway, which were called "Red Cars." The Los Angeles Railway was renamed as the Los Angeles Transit Lines in 1944. This car was retired in 1956. By 1963, all Los Angeles streetcar lines, once the largest system in the world, had been shut down.

Many pictures of Los Angeles Railway streetcars, including this class of cars, can be found at Dave's Electric Railroads.

Hong Kong Tramways tram #12

Double-decker tram #12 was built by Hong Kong Tramways in 1952. It was retired on 1985 and shipped to Vancouver B.C. for Expo '86. Hong Kong Tramways built a new #12 in 1987. Bill Naito purchased the original #12 and moved it to Portland. It was Naito's original plan to use actual historic streetcars for the Portland Vintage Trolley line, however, modern replicas of Portland's historic Council Crest cars were built instead. The car remained in storage in Portland beyond Naito's 1996 death. It was donated to the OERHS and came to Powerland in December of 1999. It is a narrow-gauge car, and also lacks motors, making it unlikely to ever be more than a static display.

Mt. Hood Railway & Power Company interurban express car #1191

1906 Kuhlman Interurban Express Car #1191. This car is an interurban express car built in 1906 by the G. C. Kuhlman Car Company as Mt. Hood Railway & Power #1191. The railroad was absorbed by the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (later PEPCO) in 1912. This car burned in an accident in 1917 and was rebuilt, changing its appearance considerably.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1191 in service in Portland, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

Tacoma Railway & Power Company streetcar #326

This car is a Birney Safety Car built in 1917 as Tacoma Railway & Power #326. It was retired 1938. It was acquired by the OERHS in 1985. It has been stored for many years in Rockport, Washington until recently, when it was moved to Antique Powerland.

San Francisco Municipal Railway PCC streetcars #1118 & 1159

Streetcars #1118 (left) and #1159 (right) are Presidential Conference Committee (PCC) Cars built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1946. PCC cars were a standardized modern streetcar designed by the Electric Railway Presidents Conference Committee from 1929 to 1934. The first PCC cars were built in 1936, and by the time the last were built in 1952, over 5000 had been produced for use in the United States and Canada. These two cars were originally built for the St. Louis Public Service railroad, where they were numbered #1720 and #1727. The San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) leased these two cars in 1957, and purchased them outright in 1961, assigning them their current numbers. They were retired in the 1980s when new subway lines replaced five streetcar lines. The PCCs were not compatible with the high platforms of the subway line, and they were replaced by new light rail vehicles.

Here is another photograph of #1118, taken during the 2008 Great Oregon Steam Up.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1118 in service in 1967, courtesy of nycsubway.org

#1118 in service in 1979, courtesy of Dave's Electric Railroads

#1159 at the Glenwood Trolley Park in 1986, courtesy of nycsubway.org

San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail vehicle #1213

This modern Light Rail Vehicle was built in 1977 by Boeing-Vertol, which is, oddly, the helicopter division of Boeing. It was used as Boeing-Vertol demonstrator #1221 from 1977-1979. In 1979 it was sold to the San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) as their #1213. It is one of the only two LRVs to be equipped with trolley poles before being converted to a pantograph. These cars were used to replace PCC cars, and were equipped with platform steps that can be raised and lowered to match either the curbside platforms along the street or the high platforms in the subway. This car was donated to the OERHS in 2000. The last of this type of car were retired from service in San Francisco in 2001, replaced by new LRVs from Breda. This type of car was also used in Boston; the last were retired in 2007.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#1213 in service in San Francisco in 1990, courtesy of nycsubway.org

Seattle Transit System trolley bus #604

This trolley bus was built in 1940 by the Twin Coach Company as Seattle Transit System #922. later it was renumbered to #653, then renumbered again to #604. Trolley buses are still used in Seattle.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#604 in service in 1975, courtesy of Tom's Trolley Bus Pictures

Seattle Transit System trolley bus #648

This 37-foot trolley bus was built in 1944 by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company as Seattle Transit System #998. It was renumbered to #648 in 1974. It was retired in January of 1978, but it still wears the Seattle Transit paint scheme from 1955-1968. It came to Powerland in September of 2000.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#998 in service in 1969, courtesy of Tom's Trolley Bus Pictures

#998 in service in 1971, courtesy of Tom's Trolley Bus Pictures

#998 in service in 1973, courtesy of Tom's Trolley Bus Pictures

British Columbia Transit trolley bus #2411

This aluminum trolley bus was built in 1954 by Canadian Car & Foundry-Brill of Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Ontario under license from J. G. Brill as B. C. Transit #2411. The OERHS acquired it in March 2002. Vancouver's trolley bus system is still the second largest in North America.

Links to Historical Photographs:

#2411 in service in 1976, courtesy of Tom's Trolley Bus Pictures

Anaconda Copper freight motor #351

This 35-ton steeplecab freight motor was built by General Electric in 1903 as Missoula Street Railway #351 for use in Missoula, Montana. It was sold to Anaconda Copper of Anaconda, Montana in 1935. The exterior was painted at Powerland on 2007.

Anaconda Copper freight motor #254

This 25-ton steeplecab freight motor was built by General Electric as Missoula Street Railway #254. It was later sold to Anaconda Copper.

Anaconda Copper freight motor #401

This 40-ton steeplecab freight motor was built by Baldwin-Westinghouse in 1912 as Timber Butte Milling Company #1. It was sold to Anaconda Copper in 1930 as their #401, and was retired in 1973.

SamTrak locomotive #2501

This 25-ton diesel locomotive was built by General Electric in 1942 for the United States Army. It was purchased by Dick Samuels in 1993 for use on his SamTrak excursion train on his Oregon Pacific Railroad between the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry and Oaks Amusement Park