In the yuppie neighborhood of Sellwood here in Portland was a block square complex which was formerly the carbarns for the Portland streetcar/interurban system. During the last thirty years it was occupied by Molded Container, a plastics manufacturer, who was a customer of the OPR. Several years ago they consolidated their operations in the midwest and OPR used the spur for car storage and running refrigerator cars in particular.

Two years ago they sold the property, tore down the historic building and proposed to build 76 condos three stories high within eight feet from the property line adjacent to the spur. METRO, the regional government, recently purchased a portion of the right of way over which we have an easement for railroad purposes and designated it as a potential future rails with trails site. The developer, D R Horton, advertised on their website that "the adjacent rail line is designated to be a part of the Springwater Corridor recreational trail" inferring the railroad was going away. Real estate agents who observed us replacing ties and laying heavier rail never questioned as to why we were rebuilding rather than removing the tracks!!

OPR testified at a public hearing that this was an operating railroad 24-7 and had been so for over 100 years and that if a trail was ever to be agreed to, it would be on the other side of the two tracks and the trains would still be running. The hearings officer noted our comments and lo and behold, the project was approved, permits issued and the condos built.

During the construction, D R Horton contractors ripped up the end of the historic spur which was the only remaining original portion of the carbarn complexdated to 1906, littered the right of way with building materials and generally were a pain in the butt. OPR sued them for damagethe spur and won but the settlement can never replace the loss of history. A current suit dealing with the dmage to the walkway along the spur is awaiting a court date and OPR is sure to prevail.

Now the "Trolly Barn Commons" residents who paid upwards of $350,000 to live next to the railroad are calling demanding to know why we hate them so much as to leave a reefer running overnight outside their window.

Besides the noisy railroad being protected by interstate commerce regulations, the City of Portland, in its limited wisdom, retained the EX zoning (medium industrial, which specifically allows utility/railroad corridors) and made multi-family housing a conditional use subject to "co-existence with existing industrial and utility uses of surrounding properties" which essentially says "QUIT YOUR BITCHIN".

So far, no shots have been fired yet!!!

Shortline Sammie