Railroad history

Old forgotten rails: When history fades

Written March 25th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 16 responses.

For many years, a remnant of a long unused railroad spur has been visible on the west end of Water Avenue at Washington Street. Before this artifact of Albany’s history disappears forever, I tried to find out where it led back in the day.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: "plaza street", Albany history, old rails, Railroad history, railroad spur, Washington Street, Water Avenue, Waterfront Project

That old RR track: Where it once led

Written March 19th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 3 responses.

If it was up to me, they’d put a historical marker on the rusted railroad track that runs from the Albany yard past Crabtree Automotive and ends in the bushes before it gets to Hill Street.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Hill Street, Oregon Pacific Railroad, Railroad history, railroad tracks, Sizzler, Wedgewood apartments

On the centennial of a notorious crime

Written May 14th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

If you’re interested in American railroads and Oregon history, and even if you’re not, this is an important centennial year.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: DeAutremont brothers, railroad, Railroad history, Southern Pacific, train robbery, Tunnel 13

An Albany opening worth waiting for

Written May 2nd, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

Here’s the news from the Albany Regional Museum: It will reopen to the public on June 10.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Museum, museum exhibits, Oregon history, Railroad history, Regional Museum

Still a railroad town after 152 years

Written August 25th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 9 responses.

Just about every weekday afternoon, a Portland & Western feight train enters Albany on the Toledo branch from the direction of Corvallis. If you like trains and happen to be cruising past on a bike, you’re likely to stop and watch, like this:

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany history, Albany railroads, Ben Holladay, Oregon & California, Railroad history, Railroads

Those old iron rails: Keep them, or what?

Written January 5th, 2021 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

The news is mostly bad and getting worse, so let’s consider something completely different: What should Albany do with the remnants of long-abandoned railroad tracks in its streets?

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: abandoned rail spurs, Albany rail lines, Fifth Avenue, Oregon Electric, Railroad history, Water Avenue