Train season is about to start: New for 2016 are stops at the train shed, docent tours and more Steam Train excursions

Published 10:30 am Saturday, March 5, 2016

It’s not just a train ride this train season at the Northwest Railway Museum. Beginning on the weekend of April 2 and 3, most train excursions will include a stop at the Train Shed exhibit building, giving visitors a chance explore more of the museum’s collection.

Docent-led premier tours are also offered on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

The train excursions and tours give visitors a glimpse back in time to discover how railroads influenced settlement and everyday life in Washington State.

Round-trip excursions are two hours and begin Saturday, April 2. Train season runs through October.

Each Saturday and Sunday throughout the season, 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 travellers 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.

Passengers board the train in Snoqualmie, 38625 S.E. King Street, beginning at 11 a.m., or in North Bend, 205 E. McClellan Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 for children, $16 for seniors and $18 for adults. Children younger than 2 can ride the train free.

Steam Train excursions, pulled by an authentic restored steam engine, will run May 28 to 30, July 2 to 10, July 30 to Sept 5, Oct 22to 23 and Oct 29 to 30. Steam train tickets are $12 for children, $20 for seniors and $22 for adults.

The historic 1890 Snoqualmie Depot and bookstore are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call (425) 888-3030 or visit www.trainmuseum.org.