Portola has always been known as a train town. The Western Pacific used it as a crew change point and had their steam engine repair shops located here. Union Pacific took over operations in 1986 and the shops became a train museum. Union Pacific actually donated a DD40X (#6926).
While the younger generation may not always appreciate or understand the importance of railroads, even with all the trains coming through here daily, it is an important part of history and our lives today, just the engineering of rail through the Feather River canyon is magnificient.
Please consider Portola as a positive representation of all Union Pacific has done for this country, it would truly be an honor to be a small part of something so huge!