Oregon St. Patrick's Day Train Rides
Published: February 2, 2026
By: Adam Burns
There are plenty of ways to experience the Oregon Coast, but few feel as immediately “transportive” as climbing aboard a vintage train and letting the shoreline scenery roll by at a relaxed, old-time pace. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (often abbreviated OCSR) offers exactly that: heritage railroading paired with salt air, bay views, and small-town depots that make the whole trip feel like a living postcard. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization’s mission blends education and preservation with the simple joy of a good train ride—bringing visitors face-to-face with historic equipment while interpreting the region’s rail and coastal story.
At its core, the railroad’s appeal is wonderfully straightforward: you’re riding a historic train on a coastal line with water on one side, forested hills on the other, and a horizon that’s always changing. And then, several times a year, OCSR adds special-event excursions that turn an already memorable ride into a themed evening out. One of the most popular—and most festive—is the St. Patrick’s Pub Train, a once-a-year celebration that combines live Irish folk music with local beer and wine as the train glides into the dusk along the coast.
A living museum you can ride
What makes OCSR stand out among heritage railways is that it functions as both a museum and an operating excursion railroad. Rather than being only a static display collection, OCSR emphasizes interpreted train rides—meaning the experience is meant to teach as it entertains, highlighting local history, the landscape, and even themes like environmental conservation along Oregon’s North Coast.
That “museum in motion” approach is part of why the railroad appeals to such a wide audience. Families can treat it as an easy, low-stress outing; railfans can appreciate the working historic power; and casual travelers get a scenic experience that’s difficult to replicate from a car—especially in peak seasons when coastal roads can feel crowded.
The Route
OCSR’s signature ride operates between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, tracing a scenic stretch of the Tillamook Coast. This isn’t a “race from point A to point B” kind of line. It’s a route built for lingering: you’re there to watch the water, spot birds, and enjoy the gentle rhythm of jointed rail beneath historic coaches.
Depending on the excursion and departure point, riders may see shoreline panoramas, estuaries, and bayfront views that shift with the light and tide. Regional travel guides regularly emphasize the line’s coastal character, noting that the ride offers a mix of classic train charm and Oregon Coast scenery—without the hassle of driving between towns during a busy travel day.
Typical Excursions
OCSR’s “bread-and-butter” offering is its Oregon Coastal Excursion. The railroad’s published schedule shows this signature excursion running seasonally, with departures from either Garibaldi or Rockaway Beach and a relaxed round-trip format (with a layover) that keeps the experience accessible for most visitors.
In plain terms: it’s long enough to feel like a real journey, but short enough that families with kids—or travelers stacking multiple coastal stops into a day—can fit it in easily. The depots are simple and charming, the pace is unhurried, and the emphasis stays on the scenery and the experience of riding something historic.
Historic Power
While OCSR operates different equipment depending on the day and event, one of the headliners associated with special excursions is McCloud River Railroad steam locomotive No. 25—described by OCSR as a 99-year-old steam locomotive slated to power the St. Patrick’s Pub Train.
That detail matters because it’s part of the magic: you’re not simply riding behind “a locomotive,” but behind a piece of working industrial history. Even if you’re not the sort of person who usually notes builder plates or wheel arrangements, it’s hard not to be impressed by the sound, the presence, and the atmosphere steam power brings—especially as the light drops toward evening and the headlight begins to glow more prominently down the line.
St. Patrick’s Pub Train
If the regular excursion is OCSR at its most classic, the St. Patrick’s Pub Train is OCSR at its most festive.
According to the railroad’s own listing of train rides, the St. Patrick’s Pub Train is a once-a-year event, scheduled for March 14, 2026, running 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and departing from Rockaway Beach. That timing is intentional: the late-day departure aligns the trip with the changing colors of the coast as afternoon fades toward dusk—prime time for dramatic water views and that “cozy evening outing” feel.
OCSR describes the experience as a two-hour round-trip with a decidedly Irish-inspired onboard atmosphere: local beer and wine, a decorated train, and live traditional folk music throughout the journey. The music is provided by Biddy on the Bench, giving the ride an authentic pub-session energy rather than background music that fades into the noise of the coach.
The route for this special is also a key part of why it’s so popular. OCSR notes the train travels along Nehalem Bay and the Pacific Ocean toward Wheeler, with expansive views of coastline and estuaries along the way. In other words, it’s not just “a party on a train”—it’s a party on a train that happens to be moving through some of the North Coast’s most photogenic water-and-sky scenery.
What you end up with is an excursion that works equally well for different kinds of travelers:
- Couples and friend groups treat it like a themed night out—something more memorable than the usual bar or restaurant stop.
- Visitors staying on the coast use it as a highlight event, an anchor for a weekend trip.
- Railroad fans get the best of both worlds: special-event ambiance and the satisfaction of seeing historic equipment doing what it was built to do.
And importantly, the Pub Train feels “Oregon Coast” rather than generic. The local beverages, the live music, and the bay-and-ocean backdrop all reinforce a sense of place that you can’t replicate inland.
Final Thoughts
The Oregon Coast is famous for its viewpoints, beaches, and seafood shacks—but OCSR offers something different: a moving, immersive experience that connects the landscape to the region’s transportation history. And the St. Patrick’s Pub Train, in particular, is a perfect example of how a heritage railroad can be both historically meaningful and purely fun—a rolling celebration with steam power up front, music in the coaches, and the coastline sliding past the windows as evening sets in. To learn more about this excursion experience please click here to visit the railroad's website.
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