Railroad history

How old are those piers? Now we know

Written May 31st, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

In case you were wondering about this, as unlikely as that is, the piers of the Albany railroad bridge on the Willamette River are even older than the bridge itself, but only by one year.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Evening Herald, Albany railroad bidge, Railroad history, Toledo Branch, Willamette River Crossing

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