Snoqualmie Railroad Days’ new host, the Northwest Railway Museum, has big plans for the event’s future.

“We’re going to make this the signature event of the city,” said Richard Anderson, the museum’s executive director.

The museum wants to make Railroad Days into more of a regional event.

In the past, the event has been “Seafair’s step-sister,” Anderson said. This year the museum scheduled it for later in August, rather than the same weekend as Seafair.

The event will be pared down from three days to one this year due to the bad economy.

“We’re focusing on doing one good day this year,” said Anderson.

Ultimately, the museum plans to return to a three-day event, and wants to expand the event as money from sponsors becomes available in the future.

“We want to bring back the historic aspect,” said Sue Van Gerpen, the museum’s marketing manager. Van Gerpen is planning railroad days for the museum.

The Valley has a rich railway history, according to Anderson.

The railway museum is seeking volunteers for Railroad Days. To help, e-mail to Van Gerpen at sue@trainmuseum.org or call (425) 888-3030, extension 203.