The legendary steam preservation icon Doyle McCormack has stepped down from his position as President of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation. The group owns and maintains Portland’s three steam locomotives: Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 no. 700, Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company 4-6-2 no. 197, and most famously, Southern Pacific 4-8-4 no. 4449.
He was the organization’s first president, and instrumental in getting the collection out of their old home in the ex-Southern Pacific Brooklyn Roundhouse to a new facility in downtown Portland. McCormack plans to stay involved with the ORHF, and continue to maintain and work on the 4449. He will also be involved in the installation of the turntable from the Brooklyn Roundhouse at the facility.
It seems his main project is his “big blue-and-white beast”, Nickel Plate Road PA1 no. 190. Although the engine was fired up successfully in 2013, and appeared at the Streamliners at Spencer event in 2014, there is still a long checklist to finish before the engine can run again.
“I just want to see her run once so I can die happy,” said McCormack of no. 190.
