Medford, Ore. – Tucked behind the Medford Fire District #4 building, the Medford Railroad Park has long been a beloved local attraction, offering steam engine rides and a glimpse into the history of railroads. For nearly 45 years, dedicated volunteers have preserved and maintained the park, bringing joy to families and educating the community about the rich legacy of trains and locomotives. However, the park is now facing a significant challenge: a dwindling number of volunteers.
The Southern Oregon Live Steamers, who manage the park’s track and live steam engine rides, have seen a decline in volunteer numbers, particularly after losing several long-time, committed members. This has left the remaining volunteers struggling to maintain the park’s operations and upkeep.
“The biggest thing that we’re just struggling with right now is the lack of volunteers from the community,” said Matthew Knauss, president of the Southern Oregon Live Steamers. “We need help keeping the park running, maintaining the park, working on the track, doing recruitment to get more volunteers, and then future projects.”
The Medford Railroad Park is managed by four different volunteer groups. The Southern Oregon Historical Society is responsible for the large engines and locomotives at the park’s entrance, while the Garden Railroad Club maintains the park’s beautiful grounds. The Model Railroad Club operates a building on the property and hosts a winter pop-up exhibit at the Rogue Valley Mall. Meanwhile, the Southern Oregon Live Steamers are tasked with maintaining the track and running the live steam engine rides that have become a staple for families in the region.
Holly Snyder, a dedicated volunteer of over 30 years, has been a familiar face at the park, giving train rides to generations of children. Despite the park’s many attractions, both Snyder and Knauss emphasize that the steam engine is the central draw for visitors.
“Without live steam, there is no live steam train rides, and there isn’t anything to pass on to the next generation,” Knauss explained. “That’s mostly what’s driven me is to keep it alive. Sharing the history with new people and the hope that somebody else will take the same interest that we all have.”
The challenges have been compounded by recent storm damage to the track. While the current volunteers have managed to repair the affected areas, the task is becoming increasingly difficult as the volunteers age and the physical demands of the work grow.
“The track is the heartbeat of any railroad system,” said Knauss. “We have volunteers to drive the train, but without more people to fix the tracks, we’re scrambling. The train can only go so far without that track maintenance.”
The park is in urgent need of volunteers with mechanical experience or those willing to learn the skills necessary for track maintenance. Additionally, the park is looking for people who can commit to regular involvement, whether that means assisting with maintenance, learning how to drive the trains, or helping in other ways.
“The top thing is just showing up,” Knauss said. “It’s about getting involved and trying to figure out what your niche is. It’s just the willingness and openness to want to learn something new.”
For many of the volunteers, their love of trains started in childhood, and their lifelong passion has led them to become conductors and engineers on the live steam engine. However, with the current volunteer base dwindling, the future of the park hangs in the balance.
“We can only run two trains. We need another conductor, and that’s the easiest thing for maybe people to get trained for, at least to help with that,” Snyder said.
Anyone interested in volunteering or supporting the park’s efforts can reach out to Matthew Knauss at (541) 838-1143 or Bruce Kelly, the volunteer scheduling manager, at (541) 613-1638. The park’s Facebook page is also available for those wishing to connect.
With a rich history and a dedicated group of volunteers, the Medford Railroad Park has the potential to continue its legacy for years to come. However, without the support of the community, its future remains uncertain. The park’s volunteers hope that more locals will step up to ensure that the next generation can experience the joy of the steam engine rides that have captivated Oregonians for decades.