Downtown Snoqualmie is likely to experience heavier traffic over the next three weekends as hundreds of families head to the area for Day Out with Thomas: The Party Tour. The annual event consistently draws large crowds, contributing to increased congestion in the area around the Snoqualmie Depot and its surrounding streets.
Hosted by the Northwest Railway Museum, Thomas the Tank Engine rolls into town July 11-13, July 18-20, and July 25-27, 2025, delighting and drawing children from around the Puget Sound region. Trains run on each event day from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There are no planned downtown road closures for the Day Out with Thomas event. However, Snoqualmie Valley residents should prepare for potential traffic impacts through the historic downtown corridor, which may result from extra vehicles and pedestrians attending the event.
Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, at regional heritage railroads across the nation.
At the Snoqualmie tour stop, guests will board the train with Thomas the Tank Engine at the Snoqualmie Depot for a ten-minute ride to the Railway History Campus.
Guests will de-train and have an hour to experience the Thomas and Friends activities and visit the rail heritage exhibits. Guests will then re-board the train with Thomas the Tank Engine for an excursion to Snoqualmie Falls. At the end of the ride, guests will be returned to the Snoqualmie Depot.
Drivers should anticipate increased traffic, limited parking, and more foot traffic near Railroad Avenue and the Depot during the weekend events. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternate routes when traveling through downtown Snoqualmie.
For ticket information and a full event schedule, visit https://trainmuseum.org/events-programs/day-out-with-thomas/.
