News
PDX Today Shares Our Story
PDX Today featured us in the September 12, 2024 issue. https://pdxtoday.6amcity.com/city/efforts-to-restore-the-historic-washington-park-and-zoo-railway-are-back-on-track
Beloved Zoo Train Engineer Retires
Jeff Honeyman has retired from the Oregon Zoo after 30 years of running and maintaining the WP&ZRy.
City and Metro Agree: Let’s get the Zoo Train Back on Track
Metro Councilor Christine Lewis and Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan are working together to restore the Zoo Train to Washington Park.
Steamer & Station 65th birthday in the news!
We were featured on Fox News 12. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aS949xx6CEdrQ_SMzFm3w_ER91pRaWhB/view?usp=share_link
FWPZR hopes to see transportation revived between the Oregon Zoo and Washington Park.
We are in Wilamette Week with a feature about our efforts to get the zoo train back to Washington Park.
Celebrate the 65th Birthday of the Steamer Oregon and Washington Park Station
Join us on June 20th to celebrate the 65th birthday of the Steamer Oregon and the Washington Park Station!
Letter Writing Campaign
The Friends were at the Oregon Zoo on Sunday May 26 and Monday May 27 helping fans of the Rose Garden Loop send post cards to their Metro Counsel Representative. Titus the Tiger joined us and met a lot of great kids who love tigers and trains!
We Need Your Help!
We Need Your Help: We are mounting an email campaign to ask the Metro Council to designate just 2 percent of the just-approved zoo bond measure to fund restoration of the zoo train. Voters said yes to $380 million zoo bond in the May 21 election. As currently planned, the funds would be used to upgrade animal habitats and zoo infrastructure—but not the railway. This could change, as the Metro Council must now officially adopt a spending plan.
Your timely letter or email can help persuade the council to do the right thing and support the zoo train. Please email your Metro Councilor and Council President Lynn Peterson, copying Metro Chief Operating Officer Marissa Madrigal and Oregon Zoo Director Heidi Rahn, urging them to include the zoo railway, including the Rose Garden Loop, in detailed spending plans for the zoo bond.
FWPZR Celebrates Feature in the Northwest Examiner
Discover how Friends of the Washington Park and Zoo Railway (FWPZR) was featured in the Northwest Examiner's May 2024 issue.
Letter from the President
In this month's letter, learn about the progress with Metro, the Zoo Bond measure, and our exciting 65th anniversary celebration on June 20th.
April Event Recap and Upcoming June Celebrations
Relive the highlights of our April event at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center and get ready for more fun in June!
Volunteer’s Action Saves Zoo Railway Tracks from Falling Tree
Read how FWPZR volunteer Gerald Fox saved the Washington Park and Zoo Railway tracks from potential damage by a falling Douglas Fir tree.