Northwest Railway Museum

The Northwest Railway Museum is a dynamic 5 linear mile cultural resource where five generations of individuals and families can experience the excitement of a working heritage railway while learning about how railways changed all aspects of life for those living and working in King County and the Pacific Northwest.  The railway changed everything including settlement patterns, the economy, climate, geography, and so much more.

The Museum was incorporated in 1957 as a private non-profit and has a long history in the community. The Museum is the largest east of Lake Washington and is physically located along a five-mile railway right of way dating from 1889. It spans the political jurisdictions of Snoqualmie, King County, and North Bend, the economies of which rely heavily on the tourism industry; the Northwest Railway Museum is the anchor attraction. The organization has developed a campus and interpretive railway that serves over 190,000 visitors annually and incorporates more than 39,000 square feet of indoor storage, exhibit, and collection care space. The Museum's commitment to operating the heritage railway and museum - with the encouragement and full support of the local government - has meaningfully benefited the tourism-dependent businesses in both communities.  

The Snoqualmie Depot is open seven days a week, year-round, from 10 am to 5 pm. It features free exhibits, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a King County and City of Snoqualmie Landmark. Visitors may access exterior exhibits from dawn to dusk. The heritage (interpretive) railway operates year-round: Saturdays and Sundays, April-December and Saturdays, January-March, and takes visitors on an 11-mile return trip that includes a visit to the Train Shed Exhibit Hall. The Railway History Campus also operates year-round: open 11 am - 4 pm, Wednesdays through Mondays in the Summer, and four days a week in the off-season.

Historically, railroads impact everyone living in or visiting King County and Washington State. Visitors come from across Washington State, the Pacific Northwest, across the country, Canada, and overseas to participate in our programming. Since the global pandemic, the Museum has opened the Railway History Campus year-round, introducing more free and reduced admission programming, and doubled the professional staff to support programs for diverse audiences. One program that the Museum has introduced is the Story Time program. This free program geared toward local toddlers and their families has been a huge success. Every other Wednesday the Museum has 20-40 people attend the program and visit the Campus. This has allowed the Museum to better connect with local families and provide needed programming in our community for children who have not yet started formal schooling. More than 15,000 visitors come each July to Day Out With Thomas to and another 15,000 in December for Santa Train.

Over the last 5 years, we have been partnering with several high schools to provide internships to underserved students. The Museum is most proud of our partnership with Two Rivers School, the local alternative school just down the street that serves middle and high school students who struggle to attend traditional public school learning programs. The Museum has hosted interns in our conservation and restoration workshop, library and archives, gift shop, and running trades train operation program. This spring, the Museum received an award from Two Rivers School for hosting more interns than any other community organization in the prior five years. This program has been rewarding, having students learn from real-life job experiences and creating mentorships between staff and young adults. One of our interns, who was with us for two years' worth of internships, has recently joined the staff as a seasonal employee. 

Our many museum programs cost more than $1.8 million dollars each year to provide. This would not be possible without the support of donors like you. Please consider donating to our Annual Fund.