NW Examiner – November 2018

A 2018 feature in the NW Examiner highlighted a growing concern in Portland: the beloved Washington Park & Zoo Railway was at risk of fading into memory. The article captures both the history and the heartbreak.

Since 1958, the railway carried generations of families through Washington Park, offering a unique and magical experience beneath the forest canopy.

But by 2013, the full loop had been shut down due to deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure, leaving only a shortened ride within the zoo. The story also reflects something more enduring—community passion.

From railway staff to neighborhood advocates and train lovers, Portlanders have long recognized the railway as more than just a ride. It is a shared tradition, a historic asset, and a piece of the city’s identity worth preserving.

Today, that same spirit continues to drive efforts to restore the railway to Washington Park.