About the PRPA
Our Mission
- We are dedicated to the preservation and the safe, professional operation and exhibition of the SP&S 700.
- We promote safe behavior around railroad property through our relationship with Operation Lifesaver (read more).
- We are devoted to telling the steam-era story of the SP&S 700.
PRPA Organization and Members
- The Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (PRPA) is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of railroad history in the Pacific Northwest. Its specific charge is the maintenance and operation of the City of Portland's SP&S 700 steam locomotive.
- In 2010, the PRPA rostered 144 members from 17 states.
- The PRPA's by-laws prescribe a six-member Board of Directors and four Officers to oversee and administer the association's activities.
As of the January 2012 elections, these positions are staffed by the following volunteers:
Charles Harrison, President
Steve Sedaker, Vice-President
Mark Siegel, Treasurer
Greg Kamholz, Secretary
Matt Baccitich, Director
Scott Dally, Director
Nick Gerba, Director
Jeremy Klitzke, Director
Dan Sandor, Director - The PRPA is a member organization of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF). ORHF is an umbrella organization representing seven member organizations who share an interest in finding a new home for the three steam locomotives owned by the City of Portland.
- We communicate through two publications: 1) this website, and 2) our newsletter Whistle Up the Columbia, which is included with membership.
- Visit our Contribute page to learn more and find out how you can join.
Support and Funding
A variety of sources provide the money we need to operate, including
- Membership dues
- Personal donations
- Proceeds from excursions
- Sale of memorabilia and publications through our concessions
- Corporate grants, matching donations, matching membership dues, and payment-in-kind donations for hours logged by our volunteers.
The PRPA is grateful to the following companies for their 2011 contributions:
G-Trax Simulations
CenturyLink
Intel Foundation
Pfizer Foundation
Xcel Energy - Grants from public and private foundations
- Materials and services donated by businesses and individuals
Feel free to review our latest Federal IRS Form 990, then visit our Contribute page to find out how you can help.
Our Home
The SP&S 700 is currently (January 2012) housed in the Brooklyn Roundhouse in SE Portland, Oregon. Also housed there are the SP 4449 and OR&N 197 steam locomotives. All three were donated by their respective railroads to the City of Portland in the 1950's at the end of the steam era. The Brooklyn roundhouse was built by Southern Pacific and is now owned by Union Pacific, and both companies have long supported the steam locomotive groups by allowing them to use the building and utilities at practically no cost. However, UP has recently found that it needs to to expand its intermodal facility in order to support its growing business, so the time has come for the three locomotives to vacate the premises. The task of finding, funding, and building a new facility for the three locos is the function of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF). Visit ORHF's capital campaign site to contribute directly to this urgent effort!
Visit our Partners page to learn more about our friends, supporters, and affiliates.
Contact Us
You may contact us at the following addresses:- Regarding this web site - prpaweb "AT" sps700 "DOT" org (email sent here read by webmaster)
- Regarding any other PRPA function - prpa "AT" sps700 "DOT" org (email sent here read by president)
- Our phone is (503)804-PRPA(7772)
- US Postal address:
PRPA
P.O. Box 2851
Portland, OR 97208-2851