Northwest Rail Museum, Inc.
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Trip Related FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for Passengers
(See also the more general FAQ page with other commonly asked questions.)
 



Q: I have a disability or special need; what do I need to know?
A: Generally, if you have any type of physical disability or special need, or any health related concern regarding whether the trip will be comfortable and/or accessible for you, we recomend contacting us and speaking with a volunteer prior to purchasing a ticket (since tickets are nonrefundable).  The age of the rail equipment and lack of station facilities at stops outside Portland, Oregon, may prevent persons with certain physical limitations from being able to ride, or comfortable doing so.  We have no lift to assist in boarding and passengers will need to climb several steep stairs to board the cars.  Seating styles differ and you may want to talk with a volunteer if you have back problems or are concerned about whether the seating you are planning to purchase will be comfortable for you. 
 
Regarding Wheelchairs:  The age of the rail equipment and the lack of station facilities where the train stops outside Portland, Oregon, make wheelchair use impractical and perhaps hazardous. There is no lift available. Passengers must be able to climb several steep steps in order to board the rail cars.
Q: Will there be photo stops ("run bys")?
A: We expect to have photo run-bys subject to the discretion and regulations of the railroad(s) and with consideration of any safety concerns for passengers and staff. These events will not occur in high traffic areas.  Due to the need for permission at the last minute to stop and detrain passengers, and due to safety concerns, we cannot guarantee that photo run-bys will be made but we will make every reasonable effort to do so.
Q: Can food be brought onboard?
A: You may bring your own snacks and drinks. No alcohol is allowed at any time. There is no refrigeration available for storage and no space for coolers other than a lunch sized bag. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase onboard, along with souvenirs.
Q: Is smoking allowed?
A: Smoking is not allowed on the train, which includes vestibule (open) areas (between cars). Smoking at photo stops may be allowed, but is subject to local fire hazard ratings at the time.
Q: Are there hotels close to Union Station in Portland?
A: Yes. A travel agent or travel club can help you with hotels or you can check online. Any hotel that says it is near the Rose Quarter or Lloyd Center or the downtown area will be reasonably close to the station. We do not make particular recommendations.
Q: Is there parking at Union Station?
A: There are a number of Smart Park locations in the area. The closest is just north of Union Station, and is open 24 hours a day. The price is approximately $6.50 per day, prices subject to change. There is also parking available at Union Station. The phone number for the Union Station garage is included with the passenger confirmation letter.
Q: What should I wear?
A: We always recommend layered clothing because of unpredictable Oregon weather and the air conditioning in the cars. Sturdy shoes are very important. No one is allowed to walk through the train barefoot, and because the area between cars can be uneven we do not recommend open-toed shoes.
Q: Do you have special pricing for children or seniors?
A: No, tickets are priced by the number of available seats. Infants who do not require a seat may travel free. Space for storing baby gear is very limited.
Q: Will someone help with my luggage?
A: Luggage handling is the responsibility of each person. Hosts will be available to help at the steps getting on and off the train, but will not carry luggage for anyone. We suggest you bring only what is necessary for the two days. We do not recommend that you leave personal items or luggage onboard overnight (when volunteers and passengers are not on the train).
Q: Can I switch seats on the trip back?
A: It's a good idea to use a different format, such as bold, for the questions, so that it is easy to distinguish them from the answers.
Q: I want to buy a "single" ticket and room with a friend to avoid paying for a single hotel room - how can we do this?
A: It's a good idea to use a different format, such as bold, for the questions, so that it is easy to distinguish them from the answers.
Q: Why are tickets so expensive?
A: We are including the following article written by Edward Immel, President of the Northwest Rail Museum, to answer this question.

WELCOME TO THE SHRINKING WORLD OF MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS

The Northwest Rail Museum has been involved in the operation of steam excursions for many years. Our policy has always been to try to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible, but there have been many changes which have had a negative impact on the operational budget for all such excursions.

1. INSURANCE

In the past, we were able to pool our insurance requirements with other groups in order to cover any railroad’s insurance requirements. However, since 9/11 two things have changed: (1) The railroads (for this excursion, BNSF) want at least $150 million in coverage and (2) the insurance industry has undergone major changes (risks) which have increased the amount for the premiums charged. In today’s market, the cost of railroad liability insurance coverage can run between $5,000 and $6,000 per million. As you can see, for a $150 million policy, the premium is $900,000! To operate the 2006 Deschutes Steam Excursion offering 400 seats, each passenger would have had to pay $2,250 just for insurance.

Amtrak has operating agreements with the railroads and the railroads know that Amtrak has the necessary insurance in place to cover their requirements. The NRHS double header last year, the #261’s trips and our trip to Bend are all being operated through a business agreement with Amtrak. However, with the Amtrak advantage for liability insurance comes some disadvantages regarding equipment that can be used.

2. EQUIPMENT

Amtrak requires that all equipment operated under their umbrella meet Amtrak’s requirements for private rail cars. This greatly reduced the pool of equipment we have available to us. In the past we depended upon leasing the Montana Rockies Daylight equipment for most of our passenger needs. However, all of this equipment was sold and the new owners have not decided to go through the expense of meeting Amtrak’s requirements. We do not know if they will pursue that option in the future.

The pool of Amtrak acceptable private cars includes mostly former business cars and sleepers. While all of these cars are nice, they normally have a very low number of seats available. There are only a few coaches, lounges, and dome cars that have a high enough seating capacity to make an excursion such as the Deschutes trip financially feasible. We have secured a ten car train with a seating capacity of about 360 passengers. Our last trip to Bend had a seating capacity of almost 500 passengers. We are now faced with higher costs, but only 72% of the seats we have had available in the past.

In addition to the actual equipment issues, we must also deal with moving them to and from Portland. None of these cars are based in Portland. Deadheading these cars from such places as Los Angeles and St. Louis is very expensive and these costs must be added to the ticket price, as well as the rental fee charged by the owners for the use of their equipment. (If the owners are unable to profit from the lease of their equipment, the pool of equipment will shrink even more in the future.)

3. FUEL

Fuel is also an increasing cost for rail travel, as with all other such transportation. Your next trip to fill your gas tank may give you a hint of what we face. Locomotive #4449 consumes about 12 gallons of fuel per mile (not miles per gallon). Our fuel bill alone for Bend is estimated to cost $13,200. It was just under $6,000 the last time we made this trip.

Planning for this Deschutes Steam Excursion began almost a year ago in order for us to pull all of the pieces together. After several tentative dates which did not work out, we were finally able to schedule the weekend of September 16-17, 2006. We seriously considered not running this trip when we calculated the ticket prices needed to make the operation economically feasible. However, we received encouragement from past riders and decided to go ahead anyway. Results so far have supported our decision to proceed, but it is unfortunate that there is no guarantee that such trips can continue to operate in future years. We believe that passengers on our train through the scenic Deschutes River Canyon to Bend this past September experienced why this is one of the great rail trips in the West with one of the most outstanding remaining steam engines still in operation.

This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given.