CORNELIUS, Ore. -- Firefighters took a train to reach a brushfire near Cornelius Pass Road on Saturday.

A train conductor with Portland & Western Railroad spotted the brushfire just off the railroad tracks at 7:24 a.m.

Fire officials determined the best way to reach the scene of the fire was aboard the train.

The train backed up 1½ miles with three firefighters on board and 11 more en route via an on-rail service vehicle.

Officials said the fire was slow-moving and small, but steep terrain made cutting fire lines challenging.

They found the hottest fire in a hollowed-out cedar tree, which firefighters fell to extinguish the flames.

Crews remained at the scene until about 12:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.