Steam-powered trains certainly have their fans, but Railroad Days’ third day is all about gas-powered, four-wheeling classics of the street.

The Legends Classic Car show returns, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. Members of the Legends Car Club and car buffs and gearheads from all over roar into town with amazing, much-loved and restored rides from every era, from the dawn of motorcars to today’s coolest sports cars.

There are plenty of awards and trophies, plus contests and games for kids. The real draw is the chance to see some the amazing restorations and transformations of cool cars from America’s historic past, or around the world.

Buffs can enter cars, trucks and motorcycles in dozens of different categories. Registration is $15, or $20 on the day of show.

Legends Car Club formed in 2000, and keeps many of its original team.

“We try to make our car shows enjoyable and fun for participants and spectators,” said Legends member Gayle Sneesby. Fun awards are a part of that: The club mixes things up with different awards and games, such as straw-blown toy car races for children.

Weather plays a big part in the success of a car show.

“We have our fingers crossed for sunshine for the weekend of Railroad Days,” Sneesby says.

The club was originally asked to help park cars for the Railroad Days show, which was managed locally. Later, they were asked to take it over.

Profits from the Snoqualmie show are split with the Railroad Days Committee. Proceeds go to help The Forgotten Children’s Fund, which provides holiday gifts for needy children, the Royal Family Kid’s Camp for abused children, Tanner Jeans Bicycle Rodeo, plus several food banks and senior centers.

Good weather plays a big role in whether the truly rockin’ rides all show up for Railroad Days. But no matter what, die-hard car enthusiasts show.

Railroad Days’ show judges look at cars in 21 categories, from the Chevy Tri-Fives (1955, ‘56, ‘57) to Mopar muscle cars to unfinished models, to the “orphans”—makes that just aren’t made anymore.

Ray Sneesby, show director, says teams of judges check out the engine, the upholstery, “and the trunk, if you want to open it.”

“Some people make it look better than when it was new,” he says.

There are a lot of Northwest car shows happening this summer. What draws people to the Railroad Days show, he explains, is the variety.

“You’ve got the vendors, the art show, the wine tasting, live music”—in other words, a lot more than just hanging out by your car. “We think that attracts a lot of people,” says Sneesby.

You can learn more at http://www.legendscarclub.net.