Locomotive Love at the Orange Empire Railroad Museum

Inland Empire residents came out to the Orange Empire Railroad Museum (OERM) in mid-Febraury to support the private non-profit and raise funds for the organization. Museum goers were able to ride the Steam Engine Ventura County No. 2 (VC-2) as part of the museum's Steam Weekend which happens ever third weekend up until May. Families walked around the museum grounds learning the history behind some of the locomotives on display while enjoying some birthday festivities. Jeremy and Irene Templeman decided to have their sons’ birthday at the museum and invited family to come and enjoy the day with them. Brothers Zach, who turned four, and Jake, 2, could be seen running around with friends and family enjoying the day. The Everts’ family also decided to come to the museum for the day because Grandpa Dave, a Veteran, wanted to introduce what the museum had to offer to his family, especially his daughter Dani and granddaughter Kayleigh. Grandpa Dave escorted his granddaughter around teaching her the museums history as well as the history of some of the trains on display. Originally built in 1922 for the Cascade Timber Company of Reliance, Washington, the Steam Engine VC-2 was used during WWII to help move supplies. The Steam Engine is brought out for visitors to enjoy a ride and experience how locomotives and railroads were used to function. The Steam Engine gave a historical feel and served as a main attraction at the museum. The museum also hails locomotives and trolleys that can be seen throughout the premises and are available to be ridden by visitors. The Pacific Car 717 takes patrons around the grounds to see what the museum has to offer. Operated by Terry Bye, the modes trolley also known as “Hollywood” travels very well around the premises, giving visitors a beautiful view of nature and history rolled into one. The L.A. PCC Car was built in 1943 and is operated by Kevin Cartwright and is yet another example of the many locomotives and trolleys available for transportation. Volunteer Janet White explained how the museum was founded and why locals are so drawn to its historical atmosphere. The museum was founded by fourteen teenagers who could foresee trolley cars popularity coming to an end in Los Angeles. According to the museum website the group’s first home was a Travel Town, an already-established display of retired railway equipment in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park. By 1958, the group changed their name to the Orange Empire Trolley Museum and brought 10 pieces of equipment to Travel Town. White added that the museum came to its current location after the group purchased a potato field in Perris, CA. Some of the locomotives and trolleys that can be seen around the grounds have been donated. Ward Kimball, the famous Disney Animator who created Jiminy Cricket, the Dwarfs from Snow White, Donald Duck and countless others, donated the Grizzly Flat Railroad collection to OERM in 1990. Fox studios also donated trolley cars to the museum. OERM is a quite hidden adventure in the city of Perris with a rich history visitors of any age can touch and enjoy. [END] ORIGINAL STORY Inland Empire residents came out to the Orange Empire Railroad Museum to show support and raise funding for the private non-profit organization by coming out to ride the Steam Engine VC-2. Every third weekend between the months of October through May the Steam Engine is brought out for locals to enjoy a ride. And experience an historical feeling of how locomotives and railroads used to function years ago. The Steam Engine may be the main attraction but it is certainly not the only historic figure available to see. The Steam Engine VC-2, which is short for Ventura County No. 2, was originally built in 1922 for the Cascade Timber Company of Reliance, Washington. It helped to move WWII war supplies as well. This little engine has seen and been involved in more history than most of us have probably seen in our lifetime and it has now found a home at the museum. Although the history of the Steam Engine is impressive there are more sights to see. For example, Pacific Car 717 will take you around the premises to see a lot of what the museum has to offer. Operated by Terry Bye the modest trolley also known as “Hollywood” travels very well around the premises giving you a beautiful view of nature and history all rolled into one. The next ride is the L.A. PCC Car built in 1943 operated by Kevin Cartwright is another enjoyable ride of history in itself. Not only are the displays and locomotives interesting but so are the people who volunteers. Brian Smith (Engineer), Jeff Lamb (Team Foreman) and Dave Woven are the operators of the Steam Engine. Like Terry Bye and Kevin Cartwright they are volunteers who have devoted their time to something they enjoy doing. The museum atmosphere is family oriented and as you look around the premises you will see families enjoying themselves. Jeremy and Irene Templeman decided to have their sons’ birthday at the Museum and invited family to come and enjoy the day with them. Brothers Zach, who turned four, and Jake, who turned two, could be seen running around with friends and family having a joyous day. The Everts’ family decided to come for the day because Grandpa Dave, a Veteran, wanted to introduce what the Museum had to offer to his daughter Dani and especially the love of his life granddaughter Kayleigh. Dave’s interaction with his granddaughter was priceless and watching him escort her around while teaching her the museums history was a wonderful sight. Sisters Sheila Hasselious and Elaine Comer were enjoying the day with Elaine’s daughter and son in law and Sheila’s husband, Bruce a Vietnam Veteran. Bruce was a Helicopter Crew Chief in Vietnam who experienced being shot down thirteen times and lived to tell about it. The sisters are not new to appreciating and preserving history because not only were their husbands Veterans but their brother Michael Beverly was a Green Beret. The sisters grew up in the area but Sheila and Bruce has since moved to Minnesota. However, they make it a point to come and visit Elaine who just recently lost her husband to assure she has the things she needs, is comfortable and not to mention show love and support. Volunteer Janet White would explain how the Museum was founded and why locals are so drawn to its historical atmosphere. She told me how the Museum was founded by fourteen teenagers who could foresee the ending of trolley cars coming to an end in Los Angeles. “The group’s first home was at Travel Town, an already-established display of retired railway equipment in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park. By 1958, the group had changed their name to the Orange Empire Trolley museum and had brought 10 pieces of equipment to Travel Town.” According to the Orange Empire Railroad Museum sight. After purchasing a potato field in Perris, California the location of the current Museum was born and has grown into a promising sight. Other locomotives and Trolleys that can be seen are some donated by Ward Kimball a famous Disney Animator who created Jiminy Cricket, The Dwarfs from Snow White, Donald Duck and countless others donated their Grizzley Flat Railroad collection to OERM in 1990. Fox Studios has graciously donated trolley cars to the Museum as well. The Museum is quite a hidden adventure in the city of Perris and it is encourage for the residents to go and observe this piece of history and lovely family adventure. Take the kids for a ride on the powerful VC#2, a real steam locomotive at Orange Empire Railway Museum during Steam Weekend on Feb. 15 and 16. Steam Weekend at Orange Empire Railway Museum Have your kids ever ridden a real steam locomotive? Have they seen the world through a chugging train going wooooo? Bring the entire family to Steam Weekend at Orange Empire Railway Museum on Feb. 15-16. Kids and train buffs alike can ride behind the powerful VC #2 and learn how a steam engine works. With an All Day Ride Pass, you can ride the steam locomotive and vintage trolleys and trolleys for the entire day. Great family fun for kids of all ages. Date: Feb. 15 and 16 Admission: Ages 12 and up, $12.00, Ages 5 - 11, $8.00, 4 and under are free Time: 9 am. to 5 p.m. For directions and ticket information, visit www.oerm.org or call (951) 657-2605. www.facebook.com/orangeempirerailwaymuseum The Orange Empire Railway Museum is an all-volunteer organization that has been preserving Southern California's railway history since 1956. The museum's mission is to educate the public on the technology, history, and impact of the rail transportation industry in the West. Over 200 rail cars and locomotives, ranging from Los Angeles street cars to modern diesel locomotives, are preserved at the museum's 100-acre site in Perris, California, which is open 363 days of the year. For information, visit www.oerm.org or call (909) 499-3429. Like us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/orangeempirerailwaymuseum