Annual Conference - 2027 Portland, OR
Welcome to Portland!
The 2027 RPCA Conference will bring together railroad preservation professionals, volunteers, museum leaders, railroad operators, historians, and industry partners from across North America.
Hosted by the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, this year's conference offers a unique blend of educational programming, networking opportunities, behind-the-scenes experiences, and memorable rail excursions showcasing railroad preservation in the Pacific Northwest.
Whether this is your first RPCA conference or your twentieth, we hope you'll leave Portland with new ideas, new friendships, and renewed inspiration for preserving railroad history. RPCA’s 2027 Annual Conference will be held over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend in Portland, Oregon hosted by the Oregon Rail Heritage Center.
Registration is open. Book by November 1st for the discounted early bird rate!
Excursions and Events
Dates: Jan 15-17, 2027, with pre-conference and post-conference activities planned for Thursday the 14th and Monday the 18th.
Santiam Excursion Train
THUR, JAN 14 - $125 Extra, Space Limited
Join us for a bus trip from the DoubleTree to the Albany & Eastern Railroad. Board the Santiam Excursion Train behind the historic Santa Maria Valley Railroad No. 205 — a 102-year-old steam locomotive — and settle in for a scenic journey through the breathtaking Santiam River Valley. Box lunch included.
Fuehring Fund BBQ Dinner & Steam Excursion
FRI, JAN 15 - $55 Extra
This special dinner and excursion will help support the William Fuehring Fund for Future Leaders through the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance. Created to encourage and support the next generation of railroad preservationists, the fund provides opportunities for young people to attend the annual RPCA Conference, participate in educational programs, build industry connections and gain hands-on experience within the rail preservation community.
Join us on a train excursion on the East Portland Branch of the Oregon Pacific Railroad behind the Polson Logging #2, a 2-8-2 “Mikado” Logging Locomotive built in 1912 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. The journey invites you to relax, enjoy sweeping river views and connect with the rich railroading legacy of our region. The ride will last approximately on hour and there will be a cash bar onboard.
Annual Banquet
SAT, JAN 16 - $55 Extra
This year's annual banquet will feature speaker Justin Tracy, Senior Manager, Heritage Mechanical and Steam at Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
Justin Tracy brings decades of experience in historic passenger car restoration, steam locomotive preservation, and railroad operations to his role as Senior Manager of Heritage Mechanical & Steam at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
Justin played a key role in the acquisition and extensive restoration of CPKC's historic Selkirk dome car, a former Southern Pacific passenger car. He was also part of the crew that operated CP 2816, The Empress, during CPKC's historic 2024 Final Spike Steam Tour, an unprecedented journey from Canada through the United States to Mexico and back.
Justin's railroad roots trace back to Portland, Oregon, where he worked with the legendary SP 4449 crew and participated in the original restoration of CP 2816. His career has also included steam locomotive restoration and operations at the Grand Canyon Railway, along with service as a conductor and locomotive engineer for Canadian Pacific.
With extensive hands-on experience restoring and operating historic railroad equipment, Justin brings a unique perspective on the challenges and accomplishments of keeping railroad heritage alive.
NW Rail Shop Seminars
SUN, JAN 17 - No Extra Fee, Space Extremely Limited
The day begins with the RPCA General Membership Meeting from 9am-10am in the Multnomah Ballroom, followed by shop seminars at ORHC. There are limited spots available to visit the NW Rail shop, with buses leaving from the hotel at 1:15pm or from ORHC at 4:15pm.
Oregon Coast Scenic Railway
MON, JAN 18 - $125 Extra, Space Limited
Buses board at the DoubleTree at 8am for a scenic 3-1/2 round trip rail excursion from Garibaldi to Wheeler along the beautiful North Coast of Oregon behind the 1925 2-6-2 Prairie McCloud River Railroad #25. The excursion will include a photo run-by and feature descriptions of the wildlife. Box lunch included.
Event InFO:
Dates: JAN 14-18, 2027
Location: Portland, OR
Host: Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Hotel: DoubleTree Portland - 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232
Cost*:
Early Bird $296
Regular $326
Walk-up $356
*discounts available for first time attendees under 30
Conference Registration will open Oct 1, 2026.
Hotel Information
Conference Rate is $149 per night plus tax
Our Conference Hotel will be the DoubleTree Portland located at 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, Oregon, 97232.
Breakfast is included with the conference rate. Breakfast hours are 6am to 10am on weekdays and 7am to 10am on weekends.
If you wish to call, the number is: 503-922-2765 or 1-800-996-0510 and ask for the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance Conference room block.
The link for online reservations is below. December 14, 2026 is the deadline for receiving our Special RPCA rate. Parking is $29/night.
Federal Room Rate - If you're traveling on behalf of the Federal Government and need to book with the Federal Rate, please contact Brian at ORHC (bthompson@orhf.org)
Useful Information
Portland Weather
Winter in Portland is the coolest season of the year, with frequent rain showers and mostly cloudy skies, with an increased chance for light rain. Temperatures remain mild by North American standards, and significant snowfall is rare within Portland city limits.
For a wintertime visit to Portland, we recommend packing multiple warm layers, such as a fleece jacket, a sturdy rainproof outer layer and water resistant footwear, plus a hat and gloves. Outdoor adventurers should bundle up with knitted caps and added layers beneath their jacket.
Rail Travel
Portland is served by Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Cascades routes.
Airline Travel
Travelers named Portland International Airport (PDX) the best airport in the United States in Travel + Leisure's survey in 2021, as well as every year from 2013-2019. Why do they love PDX? An easy light rail connection to downtown, free Wi-Fi, great local food and drink (including microbrews, craft spirits and even food carts), and tax-free shopping without markups are just a few reasons. That's not to mention the superior guest experience that travelers report having whenever they pass through the Portland Airport. You'll be delighted by the updates in the newly-renovated passenger terminal!
Automobile Travel
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland is conveniently located by Lloyd Center, near the Convention Center and Interstates 5 and 84.
Silent Auction
Don’t forget to bring items for the Silent Auction as all proceeds benefit the Fuehring Fund for Future Leaders!
Questions
If you have questions, email: 2027Conference@rpca.com
