About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breathtaking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveler, but anyone else can go and find it, too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website
This cache also qualifies for the Disappearing RR Blues bonus cache. This series highlights the railways of NW Oregon.
About Troutdale Train Depot
Welcome to Troutdale. Rail service first reached this at the time small rural community in 1882, marked by the construction of a handsome two‑story depot. The depot was established by the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, which later became part of the Union Pacific Railroad. That original building served Troutdale for 25 years before it was destroyed by fire in 1907. A new depot rose on the same site and continued to support local rail activity for decades.
By the mid‑1970s the depot had outlived its operational use, and in 1976 the Union Pacific Railroad sold it to the City of Troutdale for just $1. The building was then carefully moved from its original location north of the tracks to the spot where you find it today. A caboose, donated by the railroad in 1987, was added to the grounds to help preserve Troutdale’s rail heritage.
Today, the restored depot houses a small railroad museum as well as the Gateway to the Gorge Visitors Center, welcoming travelers headed toward the Columbia River Gorge. From here, popular walking and biking trails lead to the Sandy River and beyond, making this a perfect starting point for exploring Troutdale’s history and natural beauty.