Motorcar Operators West

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Motorcar Operators West is a club dedicated to the restoration and safe, legal operation of railroad motorcars.

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What's New

Napa Valley Wine Train

May 8, 2026 - August 5, 2026

Confirmed

Motorcar Operators West will be sponsoring rail car tune-ups and operator mentoring Excursions on the Railroad’s South Track by appointment during May 8, 2026 - August 5, 2026. 

Fee is $25 per car, per day. 

Contact EC Glenn Boatman to schedule a date, (925) 289-6423.

The Sag Tour

June 10, 2026 - June 14, 2026

Confirmed

Central MT RR and Mission Mtn RR, June 10-14, 2026

Join us in June as we ride the rails, learn about the prehistoric geological features that make up the landscape of central Montana. Pacific Railcar Operators is pleased to announce a spring excursion on the Central Montana Railroad (former MILW) and the Mission Mountain Railroad (former GN). Set on will be at the road crossing west of the engine house in Denton from 3-4:30pm June 10th and at the highway crossing in Fortine, MT from 3-4:30 pm on June 12th. Do not set on in Denton until all paperwork is verified by an EC, and all passengers have signed the NARCOA General Release. Operator insurance, Operator’s Certificate, Mounted radio, Spark Arrestor, new turntable requirements, Boots, and Safety Vest are required. PRO General Order # 6 is in effect. The 5 minute breakdown rule applies. Both days you will need to bring your lunch as we will not be stopping close to any towns. Total Miles around 180. 

 

Excursion Coordinator is Peter Wolfgram Email: rxmaker@gmail.com 

The run fee is $300 per car, Make checks out to PRO and mail with forms to excursion coordinator Peter Wolfgram, 2701 Sheepshank Dr, Belgrade, MT, 59714. Please include your current mailing address, cell phone number and email address on the registration form. All persons and passengers must attend all safety meetings, or you DO NOT ride. 

Food, lodging, and fuel information will be in the information packet.

Dry camping is allowed in Denton and Fortine on Railroad property next to set on.  Please ask for assistance as to where to park. 

If you would like to join us, please print, and carefully fill out the following four forms.  All forms can be found on the PRO Website under the Forms tab.  << Click Here for Forms >>
 

  • PRO Excursion Registration form:

Excursion name: The Sag 2026
Dates of: June 10-14, 2026
 

  • NARCOA General Release, printed double sided, single sheet:

In consideration of Central Montana Railroad
Permission to enter their property on the dates of June 10-12, 2026
“Pacific Railcar Operators” is the NARCOA affiliate
 

  • NARCOA General Release, printed double sided, single sheet:

In consideration of Mission Mountain Railroad
Permission to enter their property on the dates of June 12-14, 2026
“Pacific Railcar Operators” is the NARCOA affiliate    
 

  • NARCOA Rail Vehicle Inspection form:

Excursion: The Sag 2026
Location:  Denton, MT & Fortine, MT
Date:  June 10-14, 2026

Send all forms, and a check for $300.00 payable to PRO, to:

Peter Wolfgram, 2701 Sheepshank Dr, Belgrade, MT 59714

Upon receipt of these documents and a check, an information packet will be emailed.

All qualified operators and inspected motorcars are welcome.

June 2026 Coos Bay Excursion

June 26, 2026 - June 28, 2026

Confirmed

Excursion Information:

Please join us on this 192 mile 2 day motorcar excursion across approximately 100 bridges and 9 tunnels. This includes two swing bridges and tunnels that range from 477 feet to 4,177 feet long. Due to the FRA closure of the North Bend/Coos Bay bridge, we can no longer run our motor cars into Coos Bay, nor can we make the third day run between Coos Bay and Coquille. This is still an exciting excursion with incredible views of the Oregon coast, mountain passes and coastal lakes. 
 

Information for the June Excursion:

  • The excursion coordinator will be Guy Howard. Ralph Burks will be the ECIT.
  • Set-on is Friday, June 26 from 1-6 pm at the Rosboro Mill in Vaughn, Oregon. 
  • Dry camping is available at the set-on site. Please contact ECIT Ralph Burks if you intend to dry camp at the location. 
  • There are hotels both in the Eugene and Junction City, Oregon areas for accommodation the night before/after set-on.  
  • On June 27 (Saturday) we will travel from Vaughn to Jordan Cove, near Coos Bay. A bus will be used for transportation to and from the hotel where we will lodge overnight. (Hotel accommodations are not included in the run fees). 
  • We will spend Saturday night (June 27th) at the Best Western Holiday Hotel at 411 North Bayshore Drive Coos Bay, 541 269-5111. A block of rooms has been set aside with a rate of $175. The unused rooms will be released two weeks before the excursion date so don’t delay booking a room. Please tell hotel staff you are with “Pacific Railcar Operators” when booking your rooms. 
  • June 28 (Sunday) we will make the return trip to Vaughn for set-off. 
  • A minimum of 25 cars is required. 
  • The run fee is $420 per motorcar. 
  • Sorry, no Hi-Rail vehicles. 
  • Friendly dogs on leashes are allowed. 
  • Refunds will be available up to 3 weeks before the excursion. 
  • PRO General Rule # 6 will be in effect for this excursion (spark arrestor, no smoking or e-cigarettes, long pants, boots on RR property and fixed 2 way radio) 

 

Mentoring: 
A mentoring class will be available on June 26 (Friday) before set-on. Please contact ECIT Ralph Burks in advance to make arrangements. 


How to sign up:
Please carefully fill out the following three forms from the PRO website under the Forms tab. 
 

PRO Run Registratiom Form:
Excursion Name: Coos Bay Rail Line Motorcar Run
Dates of: June 26, 27, 28, 2026


NARCOA General Release, printed on both sides, single sheet of paper. 

Fill out three releases with the following information:
Copy #1 - In consideration of the Coos Bay Rail Line
Copy #2 - In consideration of the Rosboro Lumber Company
Copy #3 - In consideration of the Port of Coos Bay
Permission to enter their property on the dates of June 26, 27, 28, 2026
Pacific Railcar Operators is the NARCOA Affiliate. 

 

NARCOA Rail Vehicle Inspection Form. 

Excursion: Coos Bay Motorcar Run
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
Date: June 26, 27, 28, 2026

Send all five (5) forms and a check made out to Pacific Railcar Operators for $420 via mail to ECIT Ralph Burks at 91149 Territorial Highway, Junction City, Oregon 97448. Upon receipt of forms and a check, additional run information will be sent to you via email. 

Questions:

All questions should be directed to ECIT Ralph Burks. 541 228-0833, ralphburks@rocketmail.com

Wallowa Union Railroad

October 2, 2026 - October 4, 2026

Save the Date

Pacific Railcar Operators plans to return  to the Wallowa Union Railroad in Elgin, Oregon, October 2-4, 2026. A two day run with an overnight stay, 126 roundtrip miles. We are working on a possible run in advance of this event.