• Introduction
• Goal One
  • Need
  • Challenge
  • Funding
  • Short Term Actions
  • Long Term Actions
• Goal Two
  • Need
  • Challenge
  • Funding
  • Short Term Actions
  • Long Term Actions
• Goal Three
  • Need
  • Challenge
  • Funding
  • Short Term Actions
  • Long Term Actions
• Goal Four
  • Need
  • Challenge
  • Funding
  • Short Term Actions
  • Long Term Actions
• Glossary

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad’s (OCSR) founding members joined together in 2001. In 2004, OCSR was formed as an Oregon State 501c3 non profit corporation. Located in Tillamook County, Oregon, it is the largest comprehensive railway history organization on the Oregon Coast.

The OCSR is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 5 individuals from the local area.

The 2008-2013 Strategic Plan was started in early 2007 by the OCSR Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and President Scott Wickert worked with the OCSR Grant writer to develop goals for the plan and determine priorities and strategies to achieve the goals. OCSR sent a draft version of the plan to stakeholders for feedback in late 2007. The final document incorporates feedback from the stakeholders and is designed to be an accurate plan of significant actions for OCSR during 2008-2013.

Mission

The mission of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is to acquire, preserve, operate, and interpret antique railroad and logging equipment to broaden public appreciation and to educate all ages.

Need:

OCSR lacks a center of operations where assets can be preserved and displayed to the public year round. Railroad equipment typically has a limited useful lifespan of 30 years. Harsh coastal weather often shortens the lifespan of wood and metal components and historic railroad equipment needs to be preserved in a climate controlled facility. A large extent of the OCSR collection is over 80 years old and has been exposed to varying elements and is currently stored outside covered with heavy tarps.

Challenge:

A large challenge will be finding funding to construct museum-like facilities where OCSR’s artifacts can be preserved and displayed for the public. Partnerships must be developed and strengthened with local governments to make them aware of the need for museum-like facilities. OCSR will undertake significant planning while being challenged to find guaranteed funding sources.

Funding:

Construction of museum-quality facilities will largely depend on grant funding sources. Federal funding options will be explored including SAFETEA-LU Transportation Enhancement funding through ODOT and Scenic Byways money available through the Federal Highway Administration. Because the scope and size of the new museum is larger than average projects, other private funding sources will be examined.

Short Term Actions

Continue pre-engineering and design for Collection Restoration Facility.

The Collection Restoration Facility (CRF) concept and planning was conceived in 2006. OCSR has started preengineering and design for the CRF and will continue working with local engineering/architectural firms to move the CRF from concept to reality. Planning will continue for structural engineering and design to better prepare for grant applications and funding sources.

Increase awareness of CRF.

Support for the CRF is strong within the Tillamook County area, but OCSR needs to communicate its plans for the CRF to all of Northwest Oregon. As planning continues for the CRF, OCSR will need to publicize ongoing work to increase public awareness and gain additional support. Increased communication and public awareness will help strengthen relationships with local governments as well as develop new funding sources.

Long Term Actions

Explore options for additional facilities.

Future growth of the OCSR would depend on facilities to support the growth. OCSR will explore and brainstorm ideas for a future passenger depot to compliment the CRF as well as additional structures like a locomotive turntable, and water tower to add to the historic character of its operations.

Develop site master plan.

OCSR has identified land for its museum facility but must continue to work with the land owner, the Port of Tillamook Bay on long-term planning. A long-term action will be to develop a site master plan for the CRF property. Concept ideas such as the Tillamook depot, locomotive turntable, and water tower will need to be included on a site specific map to better plan for the future. While these projects are only concepts, planning must occur to include them in the site footprint and roadmap for the future.

Need:

Revenue from passenger train operations provides for a majority of the railroad’s income and provides yearly funding for needed service enhancements.

Challenge:

The challenge will be finding new ways to increase revenue while increasing the operational efficiency of the railroad.

Funding:

In order to make money, the railroad has to spend money. Increased marketing in the Portland metro area will increase awareness and ridership. OCSR will seek outside investment for possible dinner trains. Grants will be sought for increased marketing in new areas utilizing different medias.

Short Term Actions

Increase marketing.

OCSR could achieve greater ridership if it attracts visitors from the Portland area. The Portland metro area has a significant population that is unaware of the OCSR’s operations, yet is a short distance away. Increased advertising in the urban areas will increase awareness and ridership.

Increase charters.

In 2007, OCSR had an 80% increase in charter bookings compared to 2006. Charter bookings have a larger profit margin compared to regular runs yet require more resources and staffing to perform. OCSR will increase public awareness of its charter trains and explore new ways to promote charters to individuals/businesses/groups.

Enhance business initiatives.

To enhance business initiatives, online ticketing will be explored. Online ticketing has potential to reduce the cost of printing tickets while allowing passengers the flexibility to print their tickets at home. Online ticketing will help OCSR staff to be better prepared for crowd size by reserving coach seats in advance. With a good understanding of presold tickets, OCSR can add additional cars for increased riders.

Long Term Actions

Explore dinner train options.

The OCSR’s run along the Oregon coast has great scenery for a dinner train and with adequate resources and planning, can add a significant revenue boost to its normal operations. Working with a local restaurant, OCSR could create a dedicated trainset for a truly unique dining experience on the Oregon Coast. The OCSR could offer breath taking scenery of the Oregon coast as viewed over several miles of the railroad paired with a fine dining experience. Currently, the nearest dinner train is not a reasonable distance from Portland while the OCSR is relatively close to Portland and has potential to market a coastal dinner train to both coastal residents and visitors from the Portland area. Visiting dinner train patrons would be an economic boost to the coastal communities served by the railroad.

Change operations schedule/expand season.

A change in the operations schedule to include special trains for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, and Halloween would generate significant revenue. OCSR will explore long term solutions to expand its operating schedule and season. The completion of the CRF is important for this long-term action, as it will provide a climate controlled facility for OCSR to house the locomotive and passengers cars and to serve as a starting or ending point for the passenger’s journey. Expanding the season will place more demands on equipment and staff, thus OCSR must be well prepared for a change in operations schedule.

Need:

Ongoing maintenance and repair of OCSR assets is critical for OCSR to continue hauling passengers and generating revenue. Locomotives and coaches have to be maintained to strict standards to ensure the safety of OCSR passengers. Improving operational capabilities will enhance the passenger’s ride on the OCSR and contribute to a positive view of OCSR’s abilities to run a safe and efficient railroad.

Challenge:

Short-term challenges will include finding the time and materials to undertake many necessary smaller projects. Prioritization and coordination are required to ensure the projects do not conflict with other ongoing projects. Long-term challenges will include finding significant capital funding for track materials and labor. Additional train service will require planning and coordination with the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad.

Funding:

Funding for many of the maintenance and operational projects will be funded through OCSR’s yearly operating budget. Larger projects like the track run-arounds will require substantial capital funding as well as time and materials. Acquiring a diesel locomotive will require significant funds or the possibility of an acquisition or donation.

Short Term Actions

Continue ongoing maintenance on Curtiss Lumber Company #2.

CLC #2 is the primary operating steam locomotive of the OCSR. Ongoing preventative maintenance of the locomotive’s cylinders will continue to ensure the locomotive remains in a state of good repair.

Paint coaches.

Without covered storage for the OCSR passenger coaches, staff will paint the coaches to prevent rust and keep the coaches looking clean to maintain customer satisfaction. Staff will prioritize painting prior to the start of the season to avoid conflicting with other projects.

Station enhancements.

With increased ridership, OCSR’s stations at Garibaldi, OR and Rockaway Beach, OR need ongoing repairs to enhance passengers experience. A site plan will need to be developed for both locations with the assistance of the city councils, addressing the need for additional parking, ADA accessibility, and area beautification. Fencing is needed along the track to better direct visitors to the boarding platform. Ballast and fill is needed in select areas to make the depot area more secure for passengers.

Long Term Actions

Construct run-around sidings at Garibaldi and Rockaway.

OCSR does not have the ability to run-around its train in Garibaldi or Rockaway, thus the train must back-up over several miles with a Conductor watching for pedestrians. The construction of sidings will allow the locomotive to lead the train in both directions, thus allowing the engineer better vision of grade crossings and trespassers on the right of way. Sidings at Rockaway and Garibaldi will also allow OCSR trains the ability to meet and pass POTB freight trains with little difficulty.

Acquire diesel locomotive.

OCSR does not have a diesel locomotive on its roster. In the event the CLC #2 has a mechanical problem, a diesel locomotive would have to be borrowed from the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad in Tillamook, nearly 10 miles away. If OCSR had its own diesel in Garibaldi, the locomotive would be close to OCSR operations and assist with the morning switching and fire-up activities in Garibaldi. It currently takes 2-3 hours for the steam locomotive to warm up in the morning before daily operations. A diesel will allow the railroad the ability to stage and/or move the passenger train if it needs to be moved for a passing POTB freight train or for boarding requirements.

Add service to Wheeler.

The OCSR will explore adding service to Wheeler, OR. Adding service to Wheeler will come at an additional expense, as it is 10 miles away from Garibaldi. In order to make the service efficient, additional locomotives and passenger cars will be necessary as well as possible changes in the existing operating schedule.

Need:

Since OCSR started operations in 2003, its ridership has steadily increased each year. Business is thriving, but the railroad cannot go far into the future without a plan. Careful planning today will pay off in the future.

Challenge:

The greatest challenge to planning OCSR’s future for the next five years and longer will be working with outside agencies. OCSR is dependent on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad for the use of the Port’s rail line. A positive working relationship is key to future growth of OCSR passenger trains on the Port railroad line.

Funding:

Making these strategies reality has more cost in personal time and communication than in money. Networking is the key activity.

Short Term Actions

Implement strategic plan.

Every organization needs to partake in strategic planning to ensure the organization is fulfilling its mission and identifying its future needs. This plan is an important step for the OCSR to lay the foundation for its future. By implementing this plan, OCSR hopes to involve its stakeholders and give them a sense of ownership and pride in the results.

Build and enhance business relationships.

Enhancing OCSR’s existing business relationships as well as building new business initiatives is key to the railroad’s continued success. OCSR can strengthen and develop relationships with the following stakeholders:

• Cities of Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach, Tillamook, and Wheeler
• Port of Tillamook Bay
• Local elected officials
• Garibaldi Lions Club
• Tillamook County
• Oregon Department of Transportation
• Local/County/State chamber of commerce

Enhancing these relationships, as well as establishing new ones, will be of great aid when asking for assistance with future projects. OCSR plans to continue working with the City of Garibaldi on its downtown revitalization as well as exploring similar options at other stations. Private businesses in each town benefit from OCSR trains, and it is hoped future collaboration will occur for increased ridership and an economic boost to the local community.

Long Term Actions

Long-term track agreement with Port.

A long-term track agreement with the Port of Tillamook is critical for OCSR’s continued success. As ridership grows for the OCSR, there will be a great need to have a positive relationship and agreement with the Port in terms of train operation and coordination with POTB freight train movements. The OCSR does not own the track infrastructure, but it is hoped a longterm agreement can be a win-win situation for both the POTB Railroad and the OCSR. The OCSR must plan for future growth with the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad as a partner not a tenant.

Ballast.

Crushed rock or gravel which track sits in. Its purpose is to anchor the track as well as provide drainage and support.

Coaches.

A railroad passenger car.

CLC #2.

Curtiss Lumber Company, locomotive #2, originally built on March 14, 1918 and restored to operation by the OCSR in 2001.

CRF.

Collection Restoration Facility, a planned facility located in Tillamook, OR where OCSR can display and preserve its historic assets for the public to enjoy.

Dinner train.

An tourist train which provides on-board meals as part of the primary amenities.

Locomotive turntable.

A metal base inside of a concrete circle pit, that allows a railroad locomotive to go in a full circle, turning the locomotive to the desired direction.

OCSR.

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Formed as an Oregon 501c3 non profit in 2004.

POTB.

Port of Tillamook Bay. Located in Tillamook, OR the Port of Tillamook Bay owns a 1600 acre industrial park and a railroad that originates in Tillamook, OR and ends at Banks, OR.

Run-around sidings.

A railroad track parallel to another that allows a locomotive to pass, or ‘run around’ other railroad equipment to change direction.

Tourist train.

A passenger train which operates primarily for the pleasure of the ride, rather as main transportation for a destined location.

Water tower.

A circular wooden tank above ground, typically 15+ feet of the ground used to store water to fill steam locomotives.