It's still full steam ahead for Oregon train museum after founder dies

CHILOQUIN, Ore. — Despite the death of its founder, the Train Mountain Railroad Museum near Chiloquin will keep chugging along.

The railroad is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's longest miniature hobby railroad. It has more than 14 miles of 7 ½-inch gauge mainline track and more than 29 miles of total track, including yards, sidings and connector tracks.

Train Mountain founder and president Quentin Breen died Nov. 21 at 68.

"I think it's going to continue pretty much the way it is," said Ross Perrin, Train Mountain's general manager. "The future looks good."

Breen's widow, Sharon, is one of the railroad's vice presidents. She said steps are being taken to guarantee the group's financial future and to emphasize the history of railroading and railroads.

Plans are to double the length of the track over five years and again to host the Train Mountain Triennial International Train Meet June 22-28. Perrin said entries already have been received from miniature-train enthusiasts from Europe and Australia.

Previous Triennial meets were in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

Perrin said a new group, Friends of Train Mountain, was formed to organize and finance construction of track on nearly 1,150 leased acres on the north end of the 2,200-acre Train Mountain property.

The group hopes to build four to five miles of track in each of the next five years. The Friends' track will connect with the existing Train Mountain line. Perrin serves as general manager for both groups.

Sharon Breen termed the Friends' goals as ambitious. Her personal goals include having Train Mountain put a strong emphasis on history and education by offering tours and programs for youth. Along with the miniature aspects of the railroad, a greater focus may be placed on existing full-scale railroad items, from baggage cars to engines.

"We fully expect to keep going," Breen said. "Train Mountain will go on and continue to offer enjoyment."

A memorial service for her husband will be held later at the Train Mountain museum.