"Railroad buffs will love the detailed exhibits, maps, and memorabilia on display at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, a meticulously curated railroad museum. Set in a spacious silver-and-orange warehouse in the inner Southeast industrial district, right along the railroad tracks used by Amtrak and various freight trains (there’s a good likelihood one will thunder by during your visit, adding extra atmosphere), the center is also home to three historic steam locomotives: the gorgeous Art Deco–influenced Southern Pacific 4449; the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 700; and the Oregon Railway & Navigation 197. Keep in mind this is a working museum, so you may see overalls-clad volunteers from the one of the center’s member groups rebuilding boilers and doing routine maintenance during your walkabout—if they aren’t elbow deep in rail grease or wrestling with a leaky flue, they’re more than happy to chat about their work." - Jen Stevenson
