The conference will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, Oregon, 97232

Special Conference Rate is $149 per night plus tax.

Breakfast (buffet only) is included.

Breakfast hours are 6 to 10 am weekdays and 7 to 10 am weekends.

If you wish to call, the number is: 503-922-2765 or 1-800-996-0510 and ask for the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance Conference room block 

The link for online reservations is below.

 DoubleTree by Hilton Reservations

 December 14, 2026 is the deadline for receiving our Special RPCA rate.

Parking is $29/night.

Federal Room Rate - If you're traveling on behalf of the Federal Government and need to book with the Federal Rate, please contact Brian at ORHC ([email protected])

Here are some of the highlights of our Conference.  

Be certain to check the registration form below and the schedule for more details.

Thursday, January 14th

Rail Excursion at Santiam Excursion

Extra cost item - $125 (includes box lunch)

Limited capacity

Join us at Santiam Excursion Trains for a special day of railroading, history and Pacific Northwest scenery. Begin with a guided tour of the shop facilities, where you’ll get an up-close look at the equipment, craftsmanship and ongoing work that keeps historic rail operations moving forward. Then board the train behind the historic Santa Maria Valley Railroad No. 205 — a 102-year-old steam locomotive — and settle in for a scenic journey through the breathtaking Santiam River Valley, a route celebrated for its towering forests, winding river views and deep roots in Oregon’s timber history.

Your excursion will feature beautifully restored vintage passenger cars, each with its own unique character and history. Guests will also enjoy access to an elegant restored lounge and bar car, offering a relaxed and memorable way to experience rail travel from another era. A hosted lunch will be served onboard as you travel through this beautiful stretch of Oregon.

Along the way, guests will experience a classic photo run-by, offering the chance to step off the train, watch the excursion roll past in action and capture memorable photographs from trackside. Whether you’re a longtime railfan, photographer or simply someone who enjoys unique Northwest experiences, this excursion promises a memorable day aboard the rails.

A box lunch from New Morning Bakery is included in the excursion price. Each lunch comes with a sandwich (smoked turkey, ham or vegetarian), salad, cookie and soft drink.

Friday, January 15th

Fuehring Fund BBQ Buffet & Steam Train Excursion

at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center 

Buffet - $55

This special dinner and excursion will help support the William Fuehring Fund for Future Leaders through the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance. Created to encourage and support the next generation of railroad preservationists, the fund provides opportunities for young people to attend the annual RPCA Conference, participate in educational programs, build industry connections and gain hands-on experience within the rail preservation community.

By joining us for this event, you are helping invest in the future of our industry and our movement — ensuring that the passion, knowledge, craftsmanship and stewardship of historic rail equipment continues for generations to come. Your participation in the dinner and excursion directly helps open doors for young railroaders and preservation volunteers who are eager to learn, grow and become the future leaders of railroad preservation.

Join us on a train excursion on the East Portland Branch of the Oregon Pacific Railroad behind the Polson Logging #2, a 2-8-2 “Mikado” Logging Locomotive built in 1912 by Baldwin Locomotive Works.  The journey invites you to relax, enjoy sweeping river views and connect with the rich railroading legacy of our region. The excursion will depart from ORHC and travel along the east bank of the Willamette River, next to the Springwater Corridor. After passing the iconic Oaks Amusement Park, a trolley park that has been open every season since the Lewis and Clark Exposition in 1905, the train returns to the ORHC. The ride will last approximately on hour and there will be a cash bar onboard.

Saturday, January 16th 

Annual Banquet & Silent Auction

Extra cost item - $65.00

This year's annual banquet will feature speaker Justin Tracy, Senior Manager, Heritage Mechanical and Steam at Canadian Pacific Kansas City. 

Sunday, January 17th

NW Rail Trips from Hotel 

Limited capacity

The day begins with the RPCA General Membership Meeting from 9am-10am in the Multnomah Ballroom, followed by shop seminars at ORHC. There are limited spots available to visit the NW Rail shop, with buses leaving from the hotel at 1:15pm or from ORHC at 4:15pm. 

Shop Seminars at ORHC 

Limited capacity

Monday, January 18th

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Excursion

Limited capacity

Extra cost item - $125  (includes box lunch)

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) is a railroading heritage museum that has static displays of engines and historic artifacts and also provides interpretive train rides along the coast. OCSR tells the story of the area, gives information about the wildlife and stresses the importance of practicing environmental conservation so that others may continue to enjoy the beautiful North Coast of Oregon.

OCSR commits itself to the education, preservation and restoration of the logging history of the Pacific Northwest in a time when rare logging equipment is frequently lost forever. This organization collects those pieces and provides the necessary repairs and expert knowledge to get the pieces running again and back in service for all to enjoy.

A box lunch from Portside Bistro is included in the excursion price. Each lunch includes a sandwich, chips and a fresh-baked cookie. 

Hospitality Suite

Join us in the Suite on the 15th floor beginning at 7pm (Thu & Fri) or 9pm (Sat & Sun)  

 For the full schedule, follow this link:   Conference Schedule 

The major elements in the Conference Schedule linked above are correct.

Check back later for a more complete schedule.

Portland Weather

Winter in Portland is the coolest season of the year, with frequent rain showers and mostly cloudy skies, with an increased chance for light rain. Temperatures remain mild by North American standards, and significant snowfall is rare within Portland city limits. 

For a wintertime visit to Portland, we recommend packing multiple warm layers, such as a fleece jacket, a sturdy rainproof outer layer and water resistant footwear, plus a hat and gloves. Outdoor adventurers should bundle up with knitted caps and added layers beneath their jacket.

Getting to the Conference

The 2027 Conference is being held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Portland. Many of the conference activities will take place at the hotel facility with some off-site locations. 

Rail Travel

Portland is one of the stops on the Amtrak Coast Starlight route, which runs from Seattle all the way to Los Angeles. By booking on the Amtrak Cascades, visitors from as far north as British Columbia can get to Seattle, then change to the Coast Starlight for the trip to Portland.

Airline Travel

Travelers named Portland International Airport (PDX) the best airport in the United States in Travel + Leisure's survey in 2021, as well as every year from 2013-2019. Why do they love PDX? An easy light rail connection to downtown, free Wi-Fi, great local food and drink (including microbrews, craft spirits and even food carts), and tax-free shopping without markups are just a few reasons. That's not to mention the superior guest experience that travelers report having whenever they pass through the Portland Airport. You'll be delighted by the updates in the newly-renovated passenger terminal!

Automobile Travel

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland is conveniently located by Lloyd Center, near the Convention Center and Interstates 5 and 84.

Silent Auction

Don’t forget to bring items for the Silent Auction as all proceeds benefit the Fuehring Fund for Future Leaders!   

Questions

If you have questions, email: [email protected] 

You must be a member in good standing of RPCA or of a RPCA member organization to attend the Conference.

Not a member?  Join RPCA

Conference Registration is required to participate in any Conference related activity, except for the Annual Banquet and the Annual Meeting.

Conference registrants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Each Registrant may register one additional registrant at a discounted price.

Early Bird registration ends November 1, 2026.

Regular registration ends December 14, 2026. 

Registrations by mail must be postmarked by the appropriate date. 

In addition to the registration fee increase, the price of extra cost activities and vendor participation fees also increase on December 15, 2026.

Cancellations/Changes and Refunds:   Fees for missed meals, missed trips, late arrivals, and early departures will not be refunded.  If you think you might need to cancel your registration, please consider the optional purchase protection offered below.