The Western Pacific Railroad Museum

By Arielle Hardy

May 25, 2023


The Western Pacific Railroad (WPR) Museum held a media day on May 18 at the railroad museum in Portola. A presentation was given by Eugene Vicknair, one of the board of directors and board of secretaries for the museum.

The exciting presentation was held in a California Zephyr diner car, built in 1948, and is the only intact diner car from the California Zephyr. They recently received a $6,000 grant to redo the tables and chairs in the car and renovate the car with paint, electrical updates, and more to "return it to a showpiece."

The presentation began with the history of the WPR, whichstarted in 1903. At the time, the Southern Pacific Railroad (SPR) dominated California. Chairman of UPR and president of Southern Pacific Railroad (SPR), Edward H. Harriman, threatened the life of George Gould if WPR were to be constructed.

George J. Gould (son of Jay Gould, a reputable financier) controlled the eastern railroads. He partnered with Walter Bartnett, who had a coal-hauling railroad in the bay area. Together, they formed WPR, financed through the Rio Grande railroad, part of Gould Syndicates. It was finalized on November 1, 1909, in Keddie with the golden spike.

With the opening of the Panama Canal in 1916, WPR went bankrupt, but another company was formed and went on to be successful. They built several branch lines (many of which were located in Plumas County) and bought several subsidiary railroads in northern California. In 1931 they completed the largest single construction job on the railroads in the Depression, and they pushed a new mainline to connect to the Great Northern Railway.

Because of the origins of WPR, it gained a unique personality between being conservative with saving equipment whenever possible while being very technologically advanced. They were the first large western railroad to embrace diesel locomotives. Signalized trafficking control, computers, modern passenger trains, central dispatching, advanced freight cars, roller bearing, and concrete ties were a few other examples of their advancement. They also helped form and construct the BART system. One of the most notable aspects of the system, the California Zephyr, was a famous streamlined, stainless steel passenger car and the very first long-distance train built around "Vista Dome" cars. It was advertised as an experience and a land cruise.

What makes the railroad museum unique is the specific memorabilia from WPR. Portola held a large significance from the beginning, and the station was the dividing line between the eastern and western halves of the railroad and a crew change point. In steam days, it was a massive facility, having a large roundhouse in what is now the museum parking lot, a two-story depot downtown, and a hospital. WPR was vital for transporting materials and was a crucial player in mining, lumber, and timber operations, which were critical to the local economy.

On January 11, 1983, the UPR purchased the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and the merger of WPR was finalized.

The following month, February 1983, fans of the WPR gathered together and formed the Feather River Rail Society. Over the next year, they worked with the City of Portola and UPR, took a lease on the property, and started building what is now known as the WPR museum. Their mission is "to preserve the Western Pacific, its corporate family, and the story of its people." The museum is unique in its specific history compared to other railroad museums, which often focus on general regions. This museum focuses specifically on the history of the local area.

It boasts extensive archives, including photographs, paperwork, film footage, diagrams, and artifacts. A unique aspect of the railroad museum is its "rollingstock collection," including the only surviving passenger diesel, the Western Pacific "California Zephyr "Locomotive 805–A. They also acquired the first diesel locomotive, the "Western Pacific 501," and the "Pullman Company 8300 World War II Troop Sleeper."

The Western Pacific Red Cross Blood Car, "Charles O. Sweetwood," was used in the Korean War as a blood bank, saving thousands of lives. The Union Pacific "Centennial" 6946 is the world's largest diesel locomotive type.

The Smithsonian has tried to obtain cars from the museum, but the members are dedicated to keeping valuable artifacts of local history at home. Last year they reached a significant milestone in completing a 16-year restoration of the only operable western steam locomotive, Western Pacific Engine 165. The museum also has several other restoration projects in the works.

The second project Vicknair presented was how WPR was an economic engine for the region and vital for the economy, and they have been working on marketing and outreach to draw tourism to the area. He also mentioned their focus on tour groups and that earlier that day, a tour group of 86 people visited on tour buses from Reno. To gear up and expand the facility to handle more people, deal with the equipment, and bring in larger crowds. They aim to bring tourism to local hotels, restaurants, businesses, and the land's beauty.

They have also partnered with a San Francisco-based company called EHDD Architecture for pro bono work on their master plan.

Serious momentum has been gained, primarily after a staggered, private donation of $310,000, the largest single donation today helping with much-needed improvements. The bigger plans are for a 20,000-square-foot display building on the west end of the parking lot, named after the longest- serving WPR president, Frederick Whitman.

Several years ago, they were contacted by a company called Olympia Steel Building. They had a previous customer cancel an order that was already 60% paid for and proposed that the museum could purchase it for $.40 on the dollar for ten years and no interest. WPR took the risk, and Vicknair was proud to publicly announce that they have secured a $1 million grant to begin phase 1 of the Whitman display building. It will be built from a simple steel building kit and topped with a façade replicating the ferry terminal that WPR had in Oakland, California.

The building will not only be a train display building, but the tracks will be set up to go flat and be converted into an event center for multiple purposes, such as concerts, sporting events, regional events, and an evacuation center.

They have been working with the former sheriff and current county board supervisor, Greg Hagwood, for consultation on an evacuation center. They will also be working with current OES to set up backup storage cars to support an evacuation event and a possible "mass casualty center."

The building will be a serious game changer for the museum and the entire community. The Whitman building will begin the project, with plans to expand to the rest of the museum. The facilities will eventually have a paved parking lot and replica depot while striving to maintain the character of the facilities.

Other plans include installing high-capacity, modern restrooms. Several grants are being researched, including $120,000 for the bathrooms. They also have another $400,000 grant starting next month to continue the Whitman building.

To expand their ride to give people a longer experience, they've partnered with the Portola 192 group to expand their track to the west and have possible land donations. They hope to partner with the city, county, and state to achieve their vision. They also plan to partner with local contractors and businesses whenever possible, supporting the local economy even more.

Another long-term plan is extending a line into Old Town, enabling the ability to transport people from Old Town to the museum, preventing congestion of traffic in Old Town during events.

They also have plans for a 360-foot-long building with multiple tracks, where each train on the track would represent a different decade. There are also ideas about a wine and dinner train and concerts. They are in deep discussion with UPR to gain ownership of the property and a firm foundation to follow through with the planning process. UPR currently leases the property, but the museum has bid on a price and negotiated with UPR for about three years. They hope to get negotiations settled to own the property within the year.


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