The Northwest Railway Museum has announced the return of its popular train excursions in the upper Snoqualmie Valley. Train rides will resume Saturday, October 3rd, and are scheduled to continue weekends through the December holiday season. Train seating capacity has been reduced to allow visitors to enjoy a socially-distanced, scenic train excursion aboard Century-old railway coaches.
Train excursions include round-trip passage, with a stop at the top of Snoqualmie Falls so passengers may enjoy the breathtaking view of the river valley more than 300 feet below. Until restrictions are relaxed, trains will not stop at the Train Shed Exhibit Hall. Instead, ticketholders will be admitted to the Train Shed during regular hours Wednesday – Sunday anytime this fall by displaying their online train ticket at the admissions desk.
The rides are 90 minutes long and require advance ticketing via https://shop.TrainMuseum.org/ or by calling 425.888.3030. The October excursions are scheduled to depart Snoqualmie Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:30 pm. North Bend departures are scheduled for 11:25 am, 12:55 pm, and 2:25 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Pursuant to the Governor’s emergency proclamation, face coverings/masks are required. As a public space, this is a preventative action to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and help ensure the safety of our community, visitors, staff and volunteers. We ask that all visitors over the age of 2 wear a mask while visiting; masks are mandatory for everyone age 5 and older.
About the Northwest Railway Museum
The Museum was founded in 1957 and is the largest railway museum in Washington State. The organization served more than 130,000 guests in 2019, and is known for popular family programs including Santa Train®, School Train, Day Out With Thomas™, Halloween Storytelling Train and Snoqualmie Railroad Days.
The Museum operates an interpretive program offering heritage railway excursions through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, and interpretive exhibits that illustrate the role the railway played in the settlement and development of the region. The Museum’s collection of railway artifacts is one of the most significant in the western Unites States, and includes over 70 examples of locomotives, passenger and freight cars, and specialized railway equipment.
The Northwest Railway Museum centerpiece is the Snoqualmie Depot, recognized as the oldest continuously operated train station in Washington State. Admission to the Train Shed Exhibit Hall at the Railway History Center campus on Stone Quarry Road is included with excursion tickets. Unfortunately, Guided Grand Tours including visits inside the historic “Messenger of Peace” chapel car, Caboose 001, and the shop floor of the Conservation & Restoration Workshop are suspended until Covid -19 restrictions are relaxed. For more information on programs and availability, please log on to https://TrainMuseum.org/ or call 425.888.3030.
