Dear Supporters of OCSR and Residents of Tillamook County,
Last week the City of Rockaway Beach (CORB) made a request to remove all railroad track north of the station in Rockaway Beach to the Port of Tillamook Bay (POTB) at their regular July commission meeting. The 501c3 non-profit Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) currently operates excursion trains on these tracks under a lease from the POTB, who owns the railroad right of way that OCSR operates on. The reason CORB has requested that the POTB allow the removal of these tracks is to make way for an undisclosed trail only option for this proposed segment of the Salmonberry Trail that they are assuming responsibility for constructing. OCSR is undoubtedly one of the largest tourist attractions in Rockaway Beach, and this move was a surprise and deeply disappointing for those of us at the railroad.
In keeping with overarching public support for rails-with-trails by the residents of Rockaway Beach, the trail has up to this point, been planned entirely as a rails-with-trails project. Engineering for Rockaway Beach’s segment of the trail was funded through a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation, with the goal of completing 30% engineering drawings of their segment. While CORB cites cost and permitting challenges as justification for wanting to proceed with track removal, we strongly believe that removing rail infrastructure is a short-sighted decision that undermines years of investment, community benefit, and the spirit of cooperation that has defined this project.
OCSR currently operates under a legally binding lease with POTB that grants us exclusive rights to utilize and maintain the rail infrastructure on the corridor from Milepost 859.13 (end of track) to Milepost 810.5 (Enright in the lower Salmonberry River Canyon). About 30 miles of our approximately 48 miles of leased track is in the segment north of the Rockaway depot. This agreement is in effect through December 31, 2026, and cannot be unilaterally altered or infringed upon in any such way that would affect the ability for OCSR to operate trains. While CORB has stated that railroad operations would not be affected until trail construction starts, timeline for funding or necessary track removal has not been outlined. OCSR will be actively working to renegotiate our lease before it expires with the POTB and will maintain a position of keeping the tracks north of Rockaway in place for future railroad operations.
In the past five years alone, OCSR has rehabilitated trestles, track and crossings along this line, with a total infrastructure investment of nearly $150,000 into just the segment of the railroad between Rockaway Beach and Wheeler. Last year, OCSR served over 55,000 riders in 2024, contributing an estimated $6 million in economic impact to Tillamook County. Of those riders, 10,000 traveled between Rockaway Beach and Wheeler, with 8,000 laying over in Wheeler during the shoulder season, allowing them to patronize the wonderful businesses that make the town of Wheeler so unique. This segment is not only vital to OCSR’s operations, but it’s also culturally vital to our region’s tourism and seasonal businesses. If OCSR was no longer allowed to run north of Rockaway Beach, it would severely cripple the railroad and take away our ability to serve Wheeler by cutting them off from the economic impact that the railroad has to offer. We see substantial opportunities to expand service to Wheeler and beyond. Not only do we envision increased ridership, but also significant economic benefit for the county. We believe the railroad to be a conduit for recreation, education and the greater local community with expanded access to the Nehalem corridor.
We want to be clear: OCSR is not opposed to the Salmonberry Trail. In fact, we are strong proponents of a rail-with-trail model and have offered numerous engineering ideas to support safe co-location within the right of way, including cantilevered trail segments on the side of existing railroad bridges, as well as using the railroad’s specialized on track machinery to help with trail construction. We have been working closely with the non-profit Salmonberry Trail Foundation on a demonstration segment of the rail-with-trail in Wheeler, where the railroad is providing help with spreading gravel and vegetation control. We remain open to collaboration, cost-sharing, and innovation over the leased section of the railroad—but we will not be excluded.
Removing the track north of Rockaway Beach would cut off our connection to Wheeler and the railroad beyond into the Nehalem Valley. It will diminish our operating capacity, violate our current lease, and do lasting harm to the regional economy. If you support OCSR’s mission, share our vision for rail-with-trail and recognize the significant impact this railroad has to the local economy, here’s how you can help. Please spread the word and write to the POTB Commissioners and Rockaway Beach City Council voicing your support for a rails-with-trails solution north of Rockaway Beach. Furthermore, we look forward to productive lease negotiation conversations with the POTB that will allow OCSR and the Salmonberry Trail Foundation to carry out their visions in a mutually beneficial fashion. Finally, we invite Rockaway Beach officials to work with us to explore inventive resolutions that honor both rail and trail goals. OCSR is committed to supporting the construction the Salmonberry Trail in a way that preserves heritage rail and maximizes public benefit, both in terms of enjoyment of the corridor and economic prosperity for the county. We remain ready to do our part.
Contact:
Board of Directors
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
info@oregoncoastscenic.org
www.oregoncoastscenic.org