Grand Lodge Theater - The Portland Zoo Railroad: The Biggest Little Railway in the Country

Melissa Darby at McMenamin’s Grand Lodge History Pub

On August 13, 2025, historian and archaeologist Melissa Darby shared this rich history—including stories of some famous passengers. Darby, an award-winning scholar and research faculty member at Portland State University, has spent more than 40 years uncovering Northwest history and cultural treasures.

Long before the new Portland Zoo opened its doors in 1959, the Portland Zoo Railway was already carrying passengers through the West Hills. On June 5, 1958, the sleek, Space Age–styled Zooliner made its debut, welcoming more than 2,500 riders in a single day. That summer alone, over 200,000 passengers climbed aboard—fares that helped fund and build the zoo itself.

With flags flying and futuristic design gleaming, the Zooliner embodied the post-war optimism of Portland’s growing city. A year later, the historic steam-powered Oregon Locomotive No. 1 joined the fleet, deepening the railway’s charm and connection to rail heritage.

The Zoo Railway isn’t just a ride—it’s a piece of Portland’s story.