Last Update:  Nov 14, 2016
Meet the Crew & Volunteers of the OPR
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Richard Samuels
Richards Samuels is the President and General Manager of the Oregon Pacific Railroad.   He is a licensed engineer and oversees
all operations on the OPR.   He has owned the OPR as an operating common carrier since 1991, but he has railroad experience that
spans over 5 decades.   In addition, he has fabrication and engineering experience that spans over 6 decades.   He has owned and
operated multiple businesses since the early 1970s.  

For a more comprehensive history on Mr. Samuels, please visit our OPR History Page.
Tim Samuels
Tim Samuels (3rd from the left) is the Manager of Equipment for the OPR.  He is a licensed engineer and is the primary engineer for
both divisions.   He is the oldest of the three Samuels sons and has worked for the company since the Samuels Steel days.  He has
about 25  years of railroad related experience.  He is also highly experienced as a heavy equipment operator as well as fabrication,
engineering and track construction.   Tim is experienced all other aspects of railroading, including, but not limited to, locomotive repair
and general construction.

It is important to note that the crew of the OPR is cross trained in multiple duties and performs many multi-tasks on the railroad.
Brian Samuels
Brian Samuels (2nd from left) is the Manager of Maintenance of  Way.  He is the primary fabricator for the OPR, but wears many hats,
having responsibilities that included back up conductor, signal maintenance, track construction and repair just to name a few.   Brian
has about 20 years of railroad, track construction and fabrication related experience.  He is an extremely highly skilled and
experienced welder and metal fabrication designer.  He also has experience in maintaining and operating the maintenance of way
equipment and locomotives of the OPR.

It is important to note that the crew of the OPR is cross trained in multiple duties and performs many multi-tasks on the railroad.
Craig Samuels
Craig Samuels (far left) is the Manager of Train Operations for the OPR.  He is the primary conductor for all freight operations on the
OPR for both branches.   He is also a licensed engineer and regularly operates locomotives as needed.  He oversees freight
operations and coordinates with freight customers and railroads in conjunction with Richard Samuels.  Craig has about 20 years of
railroad related experience and is highly experienced as a heavy equipment operator, fabricator and other railroad and construction
related skills.

It is important to note that the crew of the OPR is cross trained in multiple duties and performs many multi-tasks on the railroad.
Brian McCamish
Brian McCamish is a volunteer for the OPR.  He is the Manager of Public Relations and also runs all OPR public excursion operations
in conjunction with Richard Samuels.   He is a licensed engineer and the primary engineer for OPR passenger excursions.   He is
also a back up engineer/conductor for freight operations.  He is the webmaster for the OPR websites and facebook pages.  

Brian coordinates and manages public events such as, public train rides, private charters, the Holiday Express and movie
productions for the OPR.   He is the primary contact, along with Richard Samuels for these types of events and inquiries.   Brian also
researches and gathers historical and current information about the OPR and its operations to preserve for future generations and
performs any other required duties on the railroad.

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Guy Howard
Guy Howard is a volunteer for the OPR.   His primary duties involve managing the coordination of speeder operations on the OPR
along with Kevin Novak.  This includes speeder related events such as the Holiday Express.  He also helps out in other areas of the
OPR and during public events, including acting as back up conductor and car host on OPR excursions.  Guy has many years of
speeder operation experience on the OPR and numerous other railroads as well as other railroad related experience, including
maintaining railroad equipment, electrical and general fabrication.  
Kevin Novak
Kevin Novak is a volunteer for the OPR.   His primary duties involve managing the coordination of speeder operations on the OPR
along with Guy Howard.   This includes speeder related events hosted by the OPR.   He is also coordinates passenger train
operations and assists Brian McCamish in managing OPR volunteer operations and public and charter passenger train service and
serves as the primary passenger train conductor.  He is also a licensed engineer for the OPR and regularly operates our passenger
train.

Kevin also volunteers as needed for other operations on the OPR.    Kevin has many years of experience of speeder operations on
the OPR and numerous other railroads.   Kevin also helps to research and gather information on the OPR and its history to preserve
for future generations.  He has experience in radio operations and repair and is a licensed Ham operator.   
Chris McLarney (in memoriam)
Chris McLarney was a volunteer for the OPR and was the owner of a restored UP caboose   Chris was a  licensed student engineer
for the OPR and volunteered as a conductor.    He was a supervisor for Drummac which is contracted by Amtrak for maintenance on
Amtrak trains in Portland.   He had decades of railroad experience that go back to his involvement and coordination of the restoration
of the SP&S 700.   Chris's experience in freight and passenger car operations and maintenance has been invaluable to the OPR.  He
most recently has volunteered extensive hours and hard work using his expertise to mechanically restore the OPR's Santa Rosa
business car.  He regularly car hosted his UP caboose when used on the OPR's weekend public excursions.

Chris passed away in 2015.
The OPR has other volunteers and contractors who work, operate and volunteer for the OPR.   Their hard work and dedication is also much appreciated.
Stay tuned as we add to this list.
Fred Rouse (in memoriam)
Fred Rouse was a volunteer conductor for the OPR and the primary conductor for OPR Passenger Train operations.  He was also a
licensed engineer for the OPR and back up engineer for OPR freight and passenger operations.  He also assisted with other duties
on the railroad as needed.   His experience dates back to 1972 when he was first hired out for the Union Pacific.   He's worked the UP
as a clerk, trainman and most recently as a Yard Master for the Albina Yard in Portland, Oregon.   He recently retired from the UP after
41 years of service.

Fred passed away in 2015.
Forrest LeCaine
Forrest LeCaine is a volunteer passenger train conductor for the OPR.   He assists with other duties on the railroad as needed.   He
also volunteers for the Friends of the 4449 and ORHF.   Forrest worked as a Carman for Progress Rail Services Corp and later
worked with Chris McLarney at Drummac working on Amtrak trains.    He is currently a conductor for the Portland & Western Railroad
but he volunteers on the OPR when his new work schedule allows.
Chris Stubblefield
Chris Stubblefield is a volunteer back up conductor and car host for the OPR.   He has been volunteering with the OPR for several
years now.  He's also a speeder operator and has extensive Ham radio operator experience.
Leia Landrock
Leia Landrock was a volunteer conductor and car host for the OPR.   She was also a volunteer at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center,
working extensively with the groups that maintain the SP&S 700 and SP 4449.    She has several prior years of experience as a
conductor with Amtrak.   She recently moved out of the state with newly retired Amtrak Engineer husband, George Landrock (photo of
both on the left) and is unable to volunteer for the OPR.  However, we welcome her back anytime she visits the area as her services
were most appreciated!
Photo coming soon
John Magnunsson
John Magnunsson is a regular volunteer of the OPR, on our Saturday Train Operations.   He is the primary OPR car host for our train
and regularly hosts the combo open air car and No. 900 caboose.   He is also a conductor.  John is an extensive volunteer for the
Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation and Oregon Rail Heritage Center.
Hillary Mead
Hillary Mead is a volunteer car host for the OPR.  She has been volunteering with the Oregon Rail Heritage Center for several years
now in various roles and recently began to help out with our OPR Saturday passenger Trains.  Hillary has extensive customer service
experience and wide variety of other public relations experience and has recently begun a new chapter in her volunteering career by
joining the OPR crew.
Photo coming soon
Cherisse and Tristen Loop
Cherisse Loop and her young son Tristen are volunteer car hosts for the OPR passenger train operations.  Both have been
volunteering for the OPR for over a year.   Cherisse is a member of the Oregon Air National Guard and regularly works with them in
her full time capacity.
Photo coming soon