The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) is now offering its signature train ride—the very popular Coastal Excursion—which takes riders along scenic Tillamook Bay, multiple lakes, and the Oregon Coast. The excursion departs several times a day from Garibaldi or Rockaway Beach. The train cars are pulled by either a historic steam or vintage diesel locomotive, with options to sit in an open, covered, or enclosed car.
The Coastal Excursion runs every day until September 22. The train can be boarded at either location for a 30 minute trip to the other end of the run. A minimum 30 minute layover is provided, but passengers can also choose an extended layover to explore Garibaldi or Rockaway Beach. The minimum time for the entire trip with the 30 minute layover option is 90 minutes.
OCSR also hosts many special event trains. The Fireworks Spectacular on July 4 promises fireworks, but be sure to book early on this popular ride. New for 2024 is the Ice Cream Train, a 2-hour round-trip excursion out of Garibaldi where all passengers get a complimentary bowl of ice cream to enjoy during the trip.
For the adult crowd, the railroad hosts the Moonlight Excursion, where passengers take a 3-hour round trip ride from Garibaldi to Wheeler and back, going up at sunset and coming back in the moonlight. Other themed rides include the Halloween Coast Train, the St. Patricks Pub Train, and the Easter Eggstravaganza.
In the Fall and Spring, the train changes routes and runs from Rockaway Beach to Wheeler. The Spring Splendor and Fall Splendor excursions run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The route to Wheeler features abundant views of the ocean before the train skirts Nehalem Bay and then turns into the forest. This 2.25-hour round-trip excursion features a stop in Wheeler where passengers can explore, eat, and shop before getting back aboard to enjoy either the explosion of foliage in the spring or the change of colors in the fall.
Possibly the most popular holiday excursion is the Candy Cane Express that runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Thanksgiving weekend up to just before Christmas. This train is steam powered, Santa Claus is aboard visiting with all the families, and everyone on board receives complimentary cocoa and cookies.
About the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Running along the northern Oregon Coast, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is a 501c3 non-profit heritage railroad that aims to educate, preserve, and restore the logging railroad heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
Tickets can be purchased online at oregoncoastscenic.org or by calling (503)-842-7972. Stay up to date by following OCSR on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos and information courtesy Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Cover photo credit: McCloud River Railroad #25 pulling the Coastal Excursion along Smith Lake. Photo by Bruce Miller
