Western Pacific Railroad Museum

09/02/2026

A photo of one of Western Pacific's "small" articulated locomotives. WP 207 is a compound 2-6-6-2 built in 1924 by Alco. WP placed these in their M-80 class with the M denoting an articulated locomotive and 80 for 80,000 lbs starting tractive effort. The engine is at Keddie with one of WP's giant snowplows attached. These engines were common in the Feather River Canyon until the big 2-8-8-2s arrived starting in 1931 and the High Line opened to Bieber, California. After that, the 201 class were mainly seen on the High Line.

08/31/2026

Today is the birthday of 1st Sgt. Charles Owen Sweetwood. He was born in 1929 and would have been 97 years old today.

Charles worked for the Western Pacific in Elko, Nevada as a carman before joining the Army and becoming a medic. His unit was one of the first into Korea in 1950 where he saved many lives before losing his own on September 8, 1950. He died trying to help wounded comrades.

In January 1951, the Western Pacific unveiled a Blood Procurement Car in a joint operation with the American Red Cross to gather blood to support wounded troops in Korea. Business Car 106, built in 1917 by the Pullman Company, was chosen for the service and named in Sgt. Sweetwood's honor. He was the first WP employee and the first Nevada resident killed in the conflict. As a carman, he had often tended to the 106, keeping it ready for use by the Eastern Division Superintendent.

The "Charles O. Sweetwood" ran until November 1953, eventually operating as far east as Colorado, collecting blood and handing it off to the "California Zephyr" to be raced to Oakland and processing for preservation. Then the blood was flown to Korea to save lives.

This amazing piece of history survives today at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum, dedicated in Sgt. Sweetwood's memory. You can find more information through this webpage: https://www.wplives.org/news_items/Sweetwood_Rededication_2017.html

It is estimated that a full restoration of the WP 106 will cost about $3.5 to $4 million. While we are seeking funds for this work, the WPRM continues to share this extraordinary story. The goal is to one day allow the car to return to the rails and help with blood drives and programs to support wounded troops.

Happy Birthday Sgt. Sweetwood. We thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

08/30/2026

Pre-Registration is now open on line for the 2026 Western Pacific Railroad Historical Convention!

The Convention will be held October 1-4, 2026, Thursday - Sunday, at the Feather Falls Lodge and Casino in Oroville, California.

Our guest speaker will be former Western Pacific employee Randy Morton.

To register on line, go to: https://westernpacificstore.mybigcommerce.com/2026-wp.../

Non-members can also get the member price when they join as an Active or Family FRRS member, with the first year's membership dues 50% off. Just add a membership after adding a convention registration to your shipping cart.

There is also an option for a Virtual Convention for those who cannot attend in person. The Virtual Convention will be produced by TSG Multimedia.

A limited edition Western Pacific HO Scale Steel Boxcar is also being offered to convention registrants. Each car comes with a decal set to change the road number. Cars will be delivered at the convention.

For more information, go to https://convention.WPLives.org

DISCOUNT ROOMS:
Discount rooms available at the Feather Falls Lodge. Room information:
Thursday, October 1st 15 Deluxe King Rooms non-smoking: $117 + tax per night 5 Deluxe Double Queen Room, non-smoking: $126 + tax per night
Friday & Saturday, October 2nd and 3rd 15 Deluxe King Rooms non-smoking: $162 + tax per night 5 Deluxe Double Queen Room, non-smoking: $171 + tax per night

The group booking code is 2610WPLIVE. When you call to book a room, call 530.533.3885 and ask for The Lodge, or extension x7820. Provide the dates you want to stay and the group booking code or group name “Feather River Rail Society.” Feather Falls Lodge will hold a reservation with a major debit or credit card number—no advance payment required.

Some further information on Feather Falls Lodge rooms: Check-in Time: 4pm. Check-out Time: 11am. Late check-out available upon request with an additional fee.

All rooms are equipped with a Microwave, Refrigerator, Coffee Machine, Iron, and Blow Dryer.
Rollaway beds are available upon request with additional fee of $10.

08/15/2026

Western Pacific History Celebration - September 26, 2026 - 10 AM to 5 PM

Come join us in celebrating the history of the unique Western Pacific Railroad. Trains rides will be operating and docents will be on hand to share stories and es**rt you into the cabs of several historic locomotives.

A hands on historical experience for the entire family!

Keep watch here for more details:; https://wplives.org/news_items/Western_Pacific_Celebration_2026.html

08/15/2026

Disconnect from the virtual....

At the Western Pacific Railroad Museum, you can drive a real railroad locomotive.

Real historic diesel. Real controls. Real horn. Real track and a private instructor in the cab with you. No experience required — just the nerve to release the brakes.

It's called Run-A-Locomotive, and it's the only thing like it in Northern California. Located in beautiful Plumas County, just 15 minutes from the renowned tourist town of Graeagle.

And when you are not living your engineer fantasy, you can explore one of the largest, most hands on railroad museums in the western United States.

What are you waiting for?

🚂 Book your session or grab a gift certificate: https://www.RunALocomotive.com
📍 700 Western Pacific Way, Portola, CA: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7hgTeamuGgfUWTEt6

08/10/2026

Western Pacific steam engine 165 greeting visitors as they enter the historic diesel shop. Come visit us for weekend train rides and go to https://www.RunALocomotive.com to learn how you can run a real railroad locomotive.

07/26/2026

WPRM mechanical volunteers starting up Quincy Railroad / Southern Pacific 1100, former EMD demonstrator locomotive and the last existing TR6A model in the world.

Want to support preservation like this? Donate to the WPRM (https://donate.WPLives.org) or consider becoming a member and volunteer https://membership.WPLives.org).

07/11/2026

Pre-Registration is now open on line for the 2026 Western Pacific Railroad Historical Convention!

The Convention will be held October 1-4, 2026, Thursday - Sunday, at the Feather Falls Lodge and Casino in Oroville, California.

To register on line, go to: https://westernpacificstore.mybigcommerce.com/2026-wp-convention/

Non-members can also get the member price when they join as an Active or Family FRRS member, with the first year's membership dues 50% off. Just add a membership after adding a convention registration to your shipping cart.

There is also an option for a Virtual Convention for those who cannot attend in person. The Virtual Convention will be produced by TSG Multimedia.

A limited edition Western Pacific HO Scale Steel Boxcar is also being offered to convention registrants. Each car comes with a decal set to change the road number. Cars will be delivered at the convention.

DISCOUNT ROOMS:
There is a block of 20 discount rooms available at the Feather Falls Lodge. Room information:

Thursday, October 1st 15 Deluxe King Rooms non-smoking: $117 + tax per night 5 Deluxe Double Queen Room, non-smoking: $126 + tax per night

Friday & Saturday, October 2nd and 3rd 15 Deluxe King Rooms non-smoking: $162 + tax per night 5 Deluxe Double Queen Room, non-smoking: $171 + tax per night

The group booking code is 2610WPLIVE. When you call to book a room, call 530.533.3885 and ask for The Lodge, or extension x7820. Provide the dates you want to stay and the group booking code or group name “Feather River Rail Society.” Feather Falls Lodge will hold a reservation with a major debit or credit card number—no advance payment required.

The room block will be held until August 20th, 2026 After this date, any unclaimed rooms will be released back into the general inventory inventory for sale. If the lodge has availability after August 20th, they will still honor the discounted rate for any last-minute reservations.

Some further information on Feather Falls Lodge rooms: Check-in Time: 4pm. Check-out Time: 11am. Late check-out available upon request with an additional fee.

All rooms are equipped with a Microwave, Refrigerator, Coffee Machine, Iron, and Blow Dryer.

Rollaway beds are available upon request with additional fee of $10.

More information on the convention will be posted soon!

07/09/2026

Are you a fan of the Western Pacific, Sacramento Northern, Tidewater Southern and / or their related railroads? Consider becoming a member of the Feather River Rail Society!

FRRS members get free admission to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum and discounts on store merchandise and other items. You also support our restoration and preservation work.

Join as an Active or higher level member and you can volunteer at the museum! Learn to run trains, rebuild locomotives, assist with the archives or just help with events and keeping the WP alive.

We are also looking for volunteers for projects that can be done away from the museum.

To join, just go to https://membership.WPLives.org for more information and links to let you join on line.

05/10/2026

TSGMultimedia took an indepth look at the Big Boy Event.

early April of 2026, the Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy visited the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, CA on i...