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Mothers Ride Free on Mothers Day Weekend at Northwest Railway Museum

Peggy Barchi

Celebrate mom this Mother’s Day with a scenic train excursion through the Cascade foothills. You and your mom will journey to the top of Snoqualmie Falls and enjoy the view of the valley below. The Northwest Railway Museum invites mothers to enjoy a free ride aboard our antique train, when accompanied by a paying child – of any age. Passengers may board in Snoqualmie or North Bend. The round trip takes approximately 70 minutes. Passengers may get off at the halfway point, shop, eat lunch, or take a stroll before returning on any later train. Trains depart every 90 minutes beginning at 11:30 AM from the Snoqualmie Depot at 38625 SE King Street and at noon from the North Bend Depot at 205 McClellan Street. Roundtrip fares: $10 ages 2-12, $16 ages 62 and up, $18 ages 13-61, Under 2 are free!

A full list of NWRM 2015 events and extensive contact info is available at this previous Grab Iron post.

Northwest Railway Museum Excursions Starting Saturday, April 4th

Peggy Barchi

All aboard! Visit the Northwest Railway Museum for a unique living history train experience that has been a part of western Washington since 1957.

Northwest Railway Museum visitors can catch a train to another time where they experience how railroads influenced settlement and everyday life in Washington State. Full passenger round-trip excursions are 75 minutes long and begin on Saturday, April 4th. Each Saturday and Sunday through October, the Northwest Railway Museum offers scenic rides through the Cascade Foothills to the top of Snoqualmie Falls. Visitors explore train cars, exhibits, and a Victorian-era depot while following in the footsteps of more than 1 million travelers who have passed through its doors since 1890. They also experience travel before the age of Interstate highways while seeing, riding and feeling the excitement of a working railroad with all of its bells and whistles. Regular trains operate weekends beginning April 4th and run through October 18th.

A full list of NWRM 2015 events and extensive contact info is available at this previous Grab Iron post.

Day Out With Thomas® tickets available March 2

Peggy Barchi, NRM Marketing/Events Manager

Thomas2015The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA will host the Thomas the Tank Engine “Day Out With Thomas® Celebration Tour” on July 10-12 and 18-19, 2015. Families across the Northwest are invited aboard!

Little engineers everywhere are invited to join this fun-filled event that offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends® series. Children will also meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including arts and crafts, storytelling and more. Their local appearance is part of a 42-stop tour across North America and is expected to host a million passengers!

This year, Thomas & Friends celebrates 70 years of friendship as the #1 blue engine celebrates friendship with fans around the world.

Enjoy a 25-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine. Hear Thomas greet his fans. Meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway. Enjoy a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station, featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, coloring sheets, storytelling, videos, live music and more!

July 10-12 and 18-19, 2015, from 9:00 am through 5:15 pm at 38625 SE King St, in Snoqualmie, WA. Tickets go on sale March 2 at Ticketweb, 866-468-7630 or at www.TrainMuseum.org. Prices for ages 2 and up are $23 on Friday, July 10 and $25 the other days (plus tax, service charges and fees).

For more information, contact the NorthwestRailwayMuseum, 425-888-3030 or www.Trainmuseum.org. For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com. Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook @thomasandfriends and on Twitter @ThomasParent.  #DOWT  #ThomasObsessed

Upcoming Events at the Northwest Railway Museum

Peggy Barchi, Marketing/Events Manager

2015 events at the Northwest Railway Museum include:

  • Excursion Season Begins, April 4: All aboard! Visit the Northwest Railway Museum for a unique living history train experience that has been a part of western Washington since 1957.
  • Mother’s Day Weekend, mothers ride free, May 9, 10: Celebrate mom this Mother’s Day with a scenic train excursion through the Cascade foothills. You and your mom will journey to the top of Snoqualmie Falls and enjoy the view of the valley below. The NRM invites mothers to enjoy a free ride aboard our antique train, when accompanied by a paying child – of any age.
  • Father’s Day Train Ride, fathers ride free, June 20, 21: The NRM invites children to treat their dads to a special train excursion aboard the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad this Father’s Day weekend, June 20-21. Fathers ride free when accompanied by their paying children – of any age! Enjoy views of the Cascade foothills, Snoqualmie Falls and the Snoqualmie Valley as you relax aboard the NRM’s antique coaches. Bring the whole family!
  • Day Out With Thomas, July 10, 11, 12, 18, 19: An amazing ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™!
  • Snoqualmie Railroad Days, August 14, 15, 16: The 77th Snoqualmie Railroad Days festival showcases Snoqualmie’s “Trains, Timber, Traditions” on August 14, 15, and 16, 2015! This year step back in time as the 125th anniversary of the historic Snoqualmie Depot is celebrated. Join the fun with a ride on a steam train as the Santa Cruz and Portland Cement locomotive #2 pulls the trains during the Railroad Days festival.
  • Labor Day Steam Train, September 5, 6, 7: The NRM pays tribute to America’s workers this Labor Day with a special weekday steam train run of the Museum’s antique train on Monday, September 7th. This is in addition to the railroad’s usual weekend steam train schedule. The NRM offers scenic train excursions through the Cascade foothills of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, including a ride past the top of Snoqualmie Falls and a splendid view of the valley below.
  • Grandparents Grand Excursion, grandparents ride free, September 12, 13: Celebrate grandma and grandpa on National Grandparent’s Day, September 13! It’s the perfect weekend to take the grands for a ride aboard the NRM’s antique train. On both September 12 and 13, a grandparent rides free when accompanied by a paying grandchild – of any age! Listen to the stories and share the memories of your family members. Enjoy a day together and experience the scenic beauty of the Cascade foothills aboard the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad.
  • Halloween Train, everyone in costume saves $2, October 24, 25, and 31: Gather the family, suit up in your costumes and take part in the fall festivities at the Snoqualmie Depot. See the historic depot in autumn and ride on the Steam Train pulled by the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. #2 steam locomotive which was built in 1909. Watch an old-fashioned cider press in action and sip hot apple cider. Ride the Halloween Train October 24, 25 and 31. Halloween Train takes you on a scenic excursion through the Cascade foothills of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley aboard a vintage train. Receive $2 off when dressed in costume. Everyone dressed in full costume will receive a prize.

For general information click on the museum website at http://www.trainmuseum.org, e-mail at info@trainmuseum.org or call the museum at 425-888-3030. I can also be contacted at ext. 7203 or peggy@trainmuseum.org.

More information on Snoqualmie Railroad Days can be found at
http://www.railroaddays.com and additional information on Day Out With Thomas at http://www.thomas.trainmuseum.org.

Santa Train is Almost Here!

Peggy Barchi

Trains are selling out, but there’s still time to join the fun of this special holiday tradition in Snoqualmie at the Northwest Railway Museum, www.trainmuseum.org. If you would like more information about this year’s Santa Train or about the museum’s new steam program, please feel free to contact me, Peggy Barchi at 425-888-3030 Ext. 7203 or at peggy@trainmuseum.org.


Looking for a special way to meet Santa? Create special memories with a Santa Train excursion! Santa Train, at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, has been a holiday highlight for over 40 years. Beginning November 29, families can choose from eight dates and multiple trains to ride to a special visit with Santa Claus at the historic Snoqualmie Depot. During each two-hour holiday excursion, families will enjoy music, fresh-baked cookies from the coal-fired ovens of the museum’s historic Kitchen Car, hot cocoa and fresh coffee, a small gift for each child and of course a visit with jolly old Saint Nick. Santa Train excursions are available on November 29-30, December 6-7, December 13-14 and December 19, 20. There are seven hourly departures to choose from 9am to 3pm.

Santa Train tickets sell out, so don’t miss out. Tickets may be purchased online, in person at the Snoqualmie Depot (38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA 98065), or via telephone at 425-888-3030 x7202. Tickets are $20 per person for ages 2 and older. Purchasing tickets early is recommended to help assure that guests can get their preferred choice of date and time.

Visiting with Santa at Santa Train, Northwest Railway Museum

Visiting with Santa at Santa Train, Northwest Railway Museum

Northwest Railway Museum Announces Steam Program

Peggy Barchi

The Northwest Railway Museum today announced plans for an annual steam locomotive program, and identified the locomotives selected for rehabilitation, restoration and operation.

The steam program will be integrated into the Museum’s interpretive railway, and has been developed with data measured during this year’s pilot steam program that continues in operation through this coming weekend, October 25 and 26. In 2015, summer steam trains will formally launch and operate with Santa Cruz Portland Cement 2, the 0-4-0 steam locomotive on loan from the Museum’s Curator of Collections Stathi Pappas. This introductory program will operate most weekends in July and August, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Halloween Train weekend in October. Following completion of the first of the Museum’s steam locomotive rehabilitations/restorations, the program is tentatively scheduled to expand beginning in late 2016.

Steam locomotives were a driving force throughout much of Washington State’s history. They pulled trains throughout the Northwest beginning with the arrival of the first railroads in the 1870s and dominated transportation in Washington until diesel electric locomotives replaced them in the late 1950s at the dawn of the Interstate Highway era. Steam locomotives transported goods and people during the latter half of westward expansion, and fostered the development and settlement of communities across Washington State and King County.

Locomotive 924 selected as first project

Beginning immediately and over the next two years, the Museum will rehabilitate and restore former Northern Pacific Railway 924, a 0-6-0 (six-coupled) locomotive. Built by Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works in 1899 for the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad as their number 74, the locomotive was renumbered 924 after that road was purchased by the Northern Pacific Railway. In the early 1900s it was Seattle’s King Street Station coach yard switcher, later serving the Seattle and Tacoma yards, and in light branch line service. Sold in 1925 to the Inland Empire Paper Company in Millwood, Washington she remained in service until 1969.

This locomotive is a classic example of late 19th century Northwestern switching and branch line steam locomotives. When the locomotive is complete, the Museum will be the only American institution operating class one steam west of Colorado with regionally-appropriate motive power and rolling stock on its original railroad.

Locomotive 14 selected as second steam locomotive

If one rebuild is good, one more is better! Two operating locomotives will allow operation to continue during scheduled maintenance and periodic servicing, and will allow for expanded service during large events.

Following completion of steam locomotive 924, the Museum will begin the complete rehabilitation of steam locomotive 14, a classic 4-6-0 (“ten wheeler”) locomotive. The 14 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1898 for the Union Colliery Company as their number 4 using the same design developed for the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. When that Vancouver Island mine was absorbed into Canadian Collieries, it was renumbered 14 and continued in service until 1960 when it was purchased by the Museum.

Canadian Collieries 14 is a classic Baldwin ten wheeler that will allow the Museum to provide a complete and authentic experience recreating railway passenger service from the first two decades of the 20th century. Ten wheelers were the most popular and greatest-produced locomotive of all time and examples were found on nearly every major railroad in the Northwest, including the lines of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway that ran through Snoqualmie.

Qualified team and facilities

The Museum is making a significant commitment to steam by investing in people and facilities. A qualified team of paid and volunteer staff with prior experience in steam locomotive rehabilitation and restoration has been assembled and is led by Curator of Collections Stathi Pappas. Pappas has a graduate degree in Archeology, and has participated or led more than a dozen similar projects. The machinery required to perform the work has already been obtained for all aspects of boiler and running gear work. Several major grants and contributions have been pledged and work will begin next week; additional fundraising will be performed during the next 24 months to offset costs that will approach $1 million.

About the Northwest Railway Museum

The Northwest Railway Museum is located in Snoqualmie, Washington and is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and perpetuation of the rich railroad history of the Northwest. It was incorporated in 1957 and serves more than 120,000 visitors per year with onsite programs.

The Museum’s collection features the fully-restored 1890-built Snoqualmie Depot, a five-mile segment of the former Northern Pacific Railway Snoqualmie Branch, and representative examples of locomotives, freight cars, and passenger coaches. Train excursions operate April – October, and in December with tours of the exhibit building offered Saturdays April – October.

For more information, contact Peggy Barchi at 425-888-3030 Ext. 7203 or at peggy@trainmuseum.org.

 

Steam Trains at the Northwest Railway Museum

Peggy Barchi

Steam trains have returned to Snoqualmie!

The Halloween Train, on October 25 and 26, 2014, features steam train excursions pulled by the Santa Cruz Portland Cement locomotive 2 (SCPC 2). Step back in time to an early travel mode to view the autumn colors of the Snoqualmie River, Snoqualmie Falls and the area nearby. Halloween Train fares are: $18/adult, $15/senior and $10/child.

But wait, there’s more!

One day of Santa Train 2014 will also be hauled by steam! One last time in 2014 the Santa Cruz Portland Cement steam locomotive 2 will pull a passenger excursion train during the Friday, December 19, 2014 Santa Train runs. There is no extra charge for steam, but advance tickets will incur a modest fee to defer the cost of postage. All Santa Trains depart from the North Bend Depot and your ticket includes refreshments served at the Snoqualmie Depot grounds, a visit with jolly St. Nick and a small gift for all participating children. Santa Train tickets sell out, so don’t miss out. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the Snoqualmie Depot (38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA 98065). Tickets may also be purchased over the telephone at 425-888-3030 x7202. Tickets are $20 per person for ages 2 and older. Purchasing tickets early is recommended to help assure that guests can get their preferred choice of date and time.

www.trainmuseum.org

SCPC2

SCPC2_at_NRM

SCPC2_pauses_at_bridge_31_3

SCPC2_pulls_up_to_depot_w_Stathi_Pappas_at_throttle

Halloween Steam Train at the Northwest Railway Museum

Peggy Barchi

All Aboard the Halloween Train, October 25 and 26

Looking for a Halloween adventure that’s fun for families? Then gather everyone, wear your favorite costumes and enjoy the fall festivities at the Snoqualmie Depot on October 25 and 26. Take a Steam Train with the 100+ year old Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. #2 Steam locomotive. Check out the Cider Press demonstrations and even try your hand with one! Sip hot apple cider to banish the autumn chill as you enjoy your special Halloween trip. Afterwards, visit George’s Bakery in North Bend, show them your Halloween Train ticket and receive a FREE sugar cookie.

Halloween train montage NRM

The Halloween Train takes you on a scenic excursion through the Cascade foothills of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley aboard a vintage train. Receive $2 off when dressed in costume. Everyone dressed in full costume will receive a prize. Trains depart every 90 minutes beginning at 11:01 AM from the Snoqualmie Depot at 38625 SE King Street and at 11:26 AM from the North Bend Depot at 205 McClellan Street. Roundtrip fares: $10 children (ages 2-12), $18 adults (ages 13-61), and $15 (ages 62 and up)!

www.trainmuseum.org
www.railroaddays.com

 

Stathi Pappas to speak at Eastside Clinic Sept. 18

Russ Segner

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

The Snoqualmie Museum is refurbishing a tank car.  Big deal; there are lots of these all over. But this one is special as it contains oil for the little locomotive just in front of it.  The second picture shows the loco in better perspective.

This the beginning of a new steam program at Snoqualmie.  Stathi Pappas will head up this effort and he will be our special speaker at the Eastside Clinic on September 18.  Join us to see how the larger scales are built and maintained.

StathiPappasEfstathios “Stathi” Pappas is Curator of Collections at the NorthwestRailwayMuseum. He has a wealth of education and experience in the railway museum field and is best known for his skills in the rehabilitation, maintenance and operation of steam locomotives. He comes equipped with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Archaeology and has performed major work on a variety of locomotives.

Stathi own his own personal, operational steam locomotive, an 0-4-0 Porter, the former Santa Cruz Portland Cement 2, that will visit Snoqualmie Railroad Days in August. The locomotive is dubbed the “Chiggen” for its former role as a chicken restaurant mascot near Stockton, California. #2 returned to steam last winter and has been touring Northern California.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Santa Train tickets available NOW!

Jennifer Osborn

Santa Train Postcard 2013

Santa Train 2013 tickets are on sale at www.trainmuseum.org.

Take a railway excursion back in time. Ride a vintage train to a scenic town tucked in the Cascade foothills. Board in North Bend and travel to Snoqualmie, where Santa greets each child with a small gift. Step inside our cozy kitchen car. Sip steaming cocoa or coffee, and munch fresh baked cookies from the coal-fired ovens. Santa Train has been a Northwest family tradition for over 40 years.

November 30 – December 1 (Saturday & Sunday)

December 7 – December 8 (Saturday & Sunday)

December 14 – December 15 (Saturday & Sunday)

December 20 – December 21 (Friday & Saturday)

Trains depart on the hour, from 9 to 3 Saturday & Sunday, and 11 to 3 on Friday.

The Santa Train will only run 8 days this year. Tickets are limited. All railway cars are enclosed, but please dress warmly to wait for Santa. Everyone 2 years and up needs a ticket. Each ticket is $20, in advance. Santa Train boards at the North Bend Depot (205 McClellan St, North Bend WA 98045). The train will return you to North Bend two hours later.

There is also a special needs train on Sunday, December 1st at 9:00. For more information or to purchase special needs tickets, contact info@trainmuseum.org.