Sumpter Valley Railroad Marks 50 Years of Restored Passenger Service in 2026

Fifty years ago this July 4th, a narrow-gauge steam locomotive rolled through the Sumpter Valley for the first time since 1947, carrying passengers again on a line that gold-rush Oregon had nearly forgotten. Sumpter Valley Railroad Restoration, Inc., incorporated in 1971 specifically to rebuild the historic route, opened its restored service on July 4, 1976, and 2026 marks that golden anniversary.

A dedicated anniversary event is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, beginning at 10:00 AM PDT at 12259 Huckleberry Loop in Baker City. The seven-hour event gives Baker County residents and visitors a chance to celebrate a railroad that has spent five decades threading through the heart of northeast Oregon's gold country. Volunteer train crew safety training is also scheduled for May 1, starting at 8:00 AM, underscoring the organization's reliance on community volunteers to keep steam on the rails.

The railroad's roots stretch back to August 18, 1890, when the principals behind the Oregon Lumber Company incorporated the original Sumpter Valley Railway Company. Union Pacific provided early backing, agreeing to supply rails and equipment in exchange for a contract to purchase 500,000 railroad ties per year for five years. By July 4, 1910, the first Sumpter Valley train had completed the full eighty miles of track between Baker City and Prairie City. The railway boomed through the late 1910s and early 1920s before declining timber and mining traffic eroded its purpose. The mill at Whitney closed in 1943 when its timber supply ran out, and on April 11, 1947, the last freight train ran. Rails were pulled from the mainline shortly after, with all remaining equipment gathered into the yards at Baker City.

The restoration organization brought the line back to life a generation later. Today the railroad runs between McEwen and the historic mining town of Sumpter, with round trips from McEwen taking just over two hours, including a layover at either end. Some weekends offer shorter runs originating from the Sumpter depot, clocking in at about 45 minutes. Trains operate on select weekends and major holidays throughout the season. The equipment roster includes one of the few remaining narrow-gauge Heisler locomotives still in operation anywhere in the country. The original railroad also acquired two Baldwin-built 2-6-6-2T articulated locomotives from the Uintah Railway, a pair historically distinguished as the largest narrow-gauge steam locomotives built in North America.

Keeping that heritage machinery running comes at a cost. The organization states plainly that maintenance of steam locomotives consumes much of its revenues, and it actively solicits donations, memberships, and renewals to sustain operations. The railroad is wheelchair accessible throughout, with the exception of the caboose.

Riders can pair a trip with visits to Historic Sumpter and its restored Gold Dredge, or continue to Prairie City to see the restored western-most depot on the original line and the Dewitt Museum.

Tickets and reservations for the 2026 season are available online. The 2026 schedule, fares, special events calendar, and a downloadable brochure are accessible through the railroad's website. Questions can be directed to info@sumptervalleyrailroad.org or by calling 541-894-2268.