tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89233722223795764342026-03-20T00:11:31.288-07:00Inside the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington.Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.comBlogger446125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-55951816661599402352025-02-24T19:49:00.000-08:002025-02-24T19:49:50.295-08:00

Spike and the team at the Northwest Railway Museum has enjoyed blogging here since November 15, 2008.  Together, we have covered disasters, new arrivals, major events, restoration projects and more, and hope you have enjoyed our 446 posts.This will likely be our last post on Blogger, but definitely not our last blog post.  Please visit us at our new home where we are blogging even more

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-820573693778023832023-10-23T17:03:00.000-07:002023-10-23T17:03:43.784-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the Northwest Railway Museum’s fall book spotlight! All four of these lovely books are available to purchase in the Snoqualmie Depot Bookstore, with select titles offered in The Railway History Center! For all you keen eyed museum members, this was originally written for our fall edition of The Sounder and had to be cut to one review – so the remaining reviews are being posted

Harvey Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950957156585758291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-30568349067498080552023-09-08T21:19:00.005-07:002023-09-08T21:19:00.140-07:00

Steam locomotive 924 was built in 1899 by Rogers for the St. Paul and Duluth, a shortline railroad extending between the Minneapolis/St. Paul and Duluth.  By 1901, that road had been purchased by the Northern Pacific Railway and the 924 0-6-0 was reassigned to Seattle, Washington.  Soon it was switching docks, building trains at King Street Station and building freight trains in freight

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-79376922793393882512023-08-31T21:15:00.009-07:002023-08-31T21:49:10.571-07:00

Snoqualmie Days 2023 was held on August 18 and 19, and thousands enjoyed live steam locomotive demonstrations, live music, trains, the grand parade, history comes alive, the pancake breakfast, and did we mention live steam locomotives?  Please enjoy our photo gallery illustrating this year's event. 

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-5030019232467439592023-05-01T11:06:00.006-07:002023-05-11T10:59:43.839-07:00

The 1246 has arrived!In the last TrainMuseum blog post, details of the locomotive and its acquisition were revealed. Now it has arrived in Snoqualmie, returning to the Puget Sound region after an absence of more than 40 years!The Great Northern Railway 1246 is popularly known as the Woodland Park Zoo steam locomotive.  Displayed near the south entry to the park from 1953 until 1980,

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-2445437010457346192023-04-25T09:12:00.006-07:002023-05-11T10:59:05.140-07:00

The 1246 has returning to Washington State and is making its new home at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie.  Help defray the cost of bringing it home by making a contribution right now!What is the 1246?  It is a steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1907 featuring a 2-8-0 wheel arrangement commonly known as a Consolidation.People of a certain

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-23458202854163435672023-03-26T11:29:00.000-07:002023-03-26T11:29:15.528-07:00

 March is women’s history month, and in the spirit of that we’ve been highlighting groundbreaking and notable female characters in railroad history on our various social media platforms. In this post, we’ll wrap up the month by expanding upon the stories of some of these women, as well as introduce a few new faces. Here’s to women in the past, the present and the future.Anna JudahAnna Judah

Harvey Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950957156585758291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-1074859464773892482023-03-13T15:06:00.005-07:002023-03-13T15:08:19.717-07:00

The NRM's collection of possibly poisonous books.    In 1820 Archibald Leighton, a bookbinder, and William Pickering, a book publisher, developed a method of coating fabric with starch, making it stiffer – this was the first commercial book cloth and it became a sensation. As cloth bound books became popular in the later 1800s, bookbinders started to take advantage of the wide

Harvey Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950957156585758291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-44495877265384784682023-02-20T15:39:00.003-08:002023-02-20T19:22:47.782-08:00

In 1996, the Washington State Legislature appropriated $20 million for the lease-purchase of two trainsets by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).  The trains were intended for use in the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor, a federally designated high-speed train corridor.  After a rigorous Request for Proposals process, Talgo was selected to construct the trainsets.&

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-37859420564867907002023-02-10T17:21:00.011-08:002023-02-10T17:36:37.576-08:00

Steam rotary snowplow crew, C.M. & St. Paul Rwy, 1916, Northwest Railway Museum collection.The Cascades are noteworthy for heavy snow.  The term "Cascade Concrete" was coined by the earliest railroad workers charged with keeping mountain passes clear of snow.  So it was little wonder that railroads in Washington were early adopters of mechanized snow clearing, and steam rotary

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-61941511182315898032022-12-25T01:00:00.004-08:002022-12-25T01:00:00.153-08:00

 The Staff of the Northwest Railway Museum wish all our volunteers, trustees, supporters, patrons, and guests and safe and happy holiday season!  The Staff enjoyed a holiday celebration in the style of the 14th Century thanks to our friends at Camlann in Carnation, but don't worry: we'll be back with late 19th and early 20th Century railroad operations on January 21st, 2023,

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-5094782650387699032022-09-12T17:22:00.018-07:002022-09-12T17:26:46.998-07:00

(Click image to see larger version) Pettibone invented the"do it all" rail crane.The Northwest Railway Museum first adopted a Pettibone Speedswing in 1994. With Hyrail gear and more than 30,000 pounds it has been used to deliver railroad ties, clean up minor incidents, perform rail exchanges, and reconstruct and demolish track up and down the line from North Bend to Snoqualmie Falls. 

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-45997605792988113192022-08-19T10:53:00.001-07:002023-12-06T16:36:10.097-08:00

Snoqualmie Days (formerly known as Snoqualmie Railroad Days and Snoqualmie Firemen's Festival) is the annual celebration of the Snoqualmie Valley, its people, and its culture!, but the original Snoqualmie Days celebrated a specific and important event – the arrival of the town’s first fire truck. The festival was originally organized by volunteer firefighters to celebrate the arrival of the

Harvey Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03950957156585758291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-53229980799554696662022-07-29T21:37:00.011-07:002022-07-29T21:43:22.306-07:00

Thomas the Tank Engine arrives at the RailwayHistory CenterIt has been a full 20 years since Thomas the Tank Engine first visited the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie.  While the event is structured differently today, the guest of honor remains the highlight of the event.Scratch the Catvisits with Eric Ode In 2022, Day Out With Thomas at the Northwest Railway Museum consisted

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-11643608267521594482022-06-21T18:45:00.001-07:002022-06-21T18:45:21.334-07:00

Typical track cross sectionThe basis of any good railroad is track, which consist of rails supported by ties held in place by ballast.  Unlike roads and highways, when track settles the original profile can be restored by jacking and tamping ballast under the ties to hold them in position.  This is an advantage that railroads have over highways, but track is also less forgiving and

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-28481954967840601002022-05-18T21:33:00.008-07:002022-05-19T08:59:39.474-07:00

 Thomas the Tank Engine is returning to Snoqualmie this July, but he made a brief appearance on May 18 when he stopped at the Snoqualmie Depot for water, and to let his driver have a short break.  Thomas the Tank Engine is on his way to greet families in British Columbia, but will soon return for his grand event here in Snoqualmie.The Very Useful Engine took a few moments to speak

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-10192303091851729772022-04-29T15:26:00.005-07:002022-04-29T15:35:51.918-07:00

Moving the 125.Northern Pacific Railway locomotive 125 is now part of the Northwest Railway Museum collection in Snoqualmie, WA.  It moved here last November as part of a much larger project.  Now, it is being restored to its appearance when it arrived in Seattle in February 1940 and you can help make it happen.   Why is this important?  In the Washington

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-53223781558251861702022-03-30T16:39:00.005-07:002022-03-30T17:27:37.083-07:00

It began 80 years ago today.  March 30, 1942 was the first day of forced relocation and incarceration of individuals of Japanese ancestry in Washington State.  The first affected were the 200 children, women, and men living on Bainbridge Island.  By May 22, 1941, employees of the Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Company logging railroad - who built and maintained an extensive network

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-88478642301547478732022-01-27T16:36:00.001-08:002022-01-28T11:36:13.936-08:00

Cutting heads in position.The Museum's high hood Alco model HH660 locomotive received its first restorative work this week when Scott Hutton - with able assistance from Josh Kiavo - was on hand to turn the wheels.  The last operating assignment for the 125 was switching grain cars at the Port of Longview.  In this intensive use, the tapered profile of the steel

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-46032232102246681862021-12-18T15:44:00.001-08:002021-12-18T15:44:35.603-08:00

Jack taking a short breakin Santa's chair insidechapel car 5 Messenger of Peace.Jack Christensen has had a long railroad career.  He began as an engine wiper for the Northern Pacific Railway in the Auburn roundhouse.  He first operated a steam locomotive on Christmas Eve 1943 when he was just 16 years old.  16?  Yes, apparently the locomotive engineer called for the

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-31138442275110103462021-12-15T16:56:00.003-08:002021-12-15T16:56:52.788-08:00

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has recognized Northwest Railway Museum Registrar Cristy Lake for her contributions to the Greenway.Lake was awarded the prestigious Jim Ellis Spirit Award at the Greenway's annual dinner (click to watch a video of the presentation), which recognizes her tireless dedication to the preservation of Snoqualmie Valley and Regional Heritage.  Some of her

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-55322508208793868252021-11-05T11:22:00.009-07:002021-11-05T11:35:12.534-07:00

The locomotive as 770 circa 1950.Locomotive 125 arrived in Seattle in February, 1940 and entered service for the Northern Pacific Railway doing the same work the Museum's former NPR 924 steam locomotive performed years earlier.  At that time nearly every train in Washington was pulled by either a steam locomotive or an electric locomotive.  Diesel electrics were still an experiment

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-74865190856633292872021-11-05T10:28:00.005-07:002021-11-05T10:37:29.200-07:00

201 on 3 Nov 2021.Locomotive 201 is an American Locomotive Company ("Alco") model RSD4 diesel-electric locomotive constructed in 1951.  It served Kennecott Copper for more than 30 years and was subsequently donated to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA in 1985.  Although an outstanding example of a first generation road switcher, after the Museum updated its mission and

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-50253498715979929812021-10-21T15:12:00.017-07:002021-11-02T09:35:51.089-07:00

Heavy things are about to move at the Northwest Railway Museum!Successful museums constantly work to improve the representation of their collections and how it serves their mission.  An art museum may want to better represent notable local artists.  A flight museum might want the aircraft a local astronaut once flew.  A railway museum may want the second diesel electric locomotive

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8923372222379576434.post-54736223641269809302021-09-12T14:50:00.025-07:002021-09-12T16:20:37.943-07:00

Pullman builder's photo, courtesy of theCalifornia State Railroad Museum library.Parlor car 1799 is a Pullman Company product  constructed almost entirely of wood, and completed in 1901.  The car was built for extra fare (first class, similar to business class today) service on the Northern Pacific Railway's Lake Superior Limited serving between Minneapolis/St Paul and Duluth. 

Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504396621504127375noreply@blogger.com0