Yes!!! More train!! Many people, including myself, love trains, and would ride the longer loop. Repeatedly. With grandchildren, out of town guests, local friends and other enthusiasts. A Christmas ride would be a must-do, and it would be fun in all seasons of the year. The City needs more things to get excited about, things that make us happy just to imagine. Make it real!
More train. The Zoo Train is a a joyful experience to ride. A train inspires imagination. A train is an exciting multi-generational regional and state wide resource. It will enhance all Washington Park activities; the Zoo, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden. It is also a tourist attraction that has important economic benefits and a component in revitalizing the central city.
I'm a "train nut". I really like trains in all shapes and sizes, I want all the track restored, and some new rolling stock, too. Please though nothing which looks like the "Zooliner", which is just ugly.
The issue though i cost and revenue.
Capital cost to seriously fix the track and the roadbed the track sits on, up that slope from Washington Park Station to the Zoo Station, That line takes a beating from rain, flowing water and moving hillside.
Once fixed, there will be constant on going maintenance costs for the roadbed. And its going to be mostly manual labor, not the very efficient machines that BNSF and UP can use on standard gauge, basically straight track like the lines up the Gorge eastbound parallel to I -84, or the lines south parallel to I-5 and north to Seattle.
A restored larger length Zoo Train route will need more rolling stock, (capital cost) and operating personnel. And mechanics to keep the equipment in good condition. Operating costs.
I have a personal bias AGAINST spending any money from any government agency or entity (federal, state, Regional like Metro and the Zoo, County or City) to pay any capital or operating costs. Its got to come from fare box revenues and volunteer donations, of time, sweat, and money.
In the meantime, just to have a little fun, go take a ride on the Willamette Shore Trolley from th South Portland waterfront to Lake Oswego, and back. https://wst.oregontrolley.com/
If you want a mind blowing day of fun haul your kids and grand kids (and the kid still in you) up to Molalla and ride the Pacific Northwest Live Steamers / Molalla Train Park / Shady Dell.
Yes!!! More train!! Many people, including myself, love trains, and would ride the longer loop. Repeatedly. With grandchildren, out of town guests, local friends and other enthusiasts. A Christmas ride would be a must-do, and it would be fun in all seasons of the year. The City needs more things to get excited about, things that make us happy just to imagine. Make it real!
More train. The Zoo Train is a a joyful experience to ride. A train inspires imagination. A train is an exciting multi-generational regional and state wide resource. It will enhance all Washington Park activities; the Zoo, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden. It is also a tourist attraction that has important economic benefits and a component in revitalizing the central city.
I'm a "train nut". I really like trains in all shapes and sizes, I want all the track restored, and some new rolling stock, too. Please though nothing which looks like the "Zooliner", which is just ugly.
The issue though i cost and revenue.
Capital cost to seriously fix the track and the roadbed the track sits on, up that slope from Washington Park Station to the Zoo Station, That line takes a beating from rain, flowing water and moving hillside.
Once fixed, there will be constant on going maintenance costs for the roadbed. And its going to be mostly manual labor, not the very efficient machines that BNSF and UP can use on standard gauge, basically straight track like the lines up the Gorge eastbound parallel to I -84, or the lines south parallel to I-5 and north to Seattle.
A restored larger length Zoo Train route will need more rolling stock, (capital cost) and operating personnel. And mechanics to keep the equipment in good condition. Operating costs.
I have a personal bias AGAINST spending any money from any government agency or entity (federal, state, Regional like Metro and the Zoo, County or City) to pay any capital or operating costs. Its got to come from fare box revenues and volunteer donations, of time, sweat, and money.
In the meantime, just to have a little fun, go take a ride on the Willamette Shore Trolley from th South Portland waterfront to Lake Oswego, and back. https://wst.oregontrolley.com/
If you want a mind blowing day of fun haul your kids and grand kids (and the kid still in you) up to Molalla and ride the Pacific Northwest Live Steamers / Molalla Train Park / Shady Dell.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MolallaTrainPark/
The Molalla rides are literally free, though donations are accepted. Me and the grandson always toss a $ 20.00 in the box. Cheap at twice the price.