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Mission
To
develop and operate an outstanding railroad museum that provides the
public a place to experience the excitement of a working railroad
and to see and understand the significance of railroads in the
development of Washington and adjacent areas.
Structure
The
Museum is governed by a ten-member Board of Trustees and is managed
by a professional staff. Volunteers complete a rigorous
training program and staff all public programs, including the interpretive
railway. The Museum has a membership program to support
operations, and to develop and maintain community support.
Location
The
Museum is located in Snoqualmie/North Bend, Washington adjacent to
the top east-west tourism corridor (I-90) and the second-largest
attraction in the state (Snoqualmie Falls). The Museum is entirely
within the Mountains to Sound Greenway. The Snoqualmie
Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places and the King
County/Snoqualmie Landmarks Register. It is the centerpiece of the
City of Snoqualmie’s Historic District. The Museum’s railway
line is adjacent to the Snoqualmie Falls Generating Station. The
generating station is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and designated a Civil Engineering Landmark by the American
Society of Civil Engineers. The Museum is adjacent to the King
County trail system.
Programs
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Snoqualmie Depot
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Incorporates displays interpreting the purpose and function of a
train station.
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Features outdoor displays of restored railway equipment
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Home to the Museum’s gift shop, the Depot Bookstore, featuring
published material on railway history and technology.
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Major tourist attraction.
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Interpretive Railway Operation
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Features regular weekend operation, April to October.
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Includes annual Santa Train excursion to visit Santa Claus.
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School Train instructs school-age children on railway safety and
local railway history.
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Running Trades Program
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Trains Volunteers to be Brakemen, Conductors, Firemen, and Engineers
and to operate the Museum’s Interpretive Railway.
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Qualified Volunteers operate all railway equipment.
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Research Library
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Over 3000 volumes exclusively on railway history and technology.
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Periodic collection of timetables, promotional material and
operating manuals.
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Open by appointment to researchers.
Collection
The
Northwest Railway Museum Collection of railway equipment is one of
the most significant in the United States and is representative of
Northwest railroading. It numbers over 70 large items (greater that
one ton) including examples of steam locomotives, passenger and
freight cars, and specialized railway equipment that built and
maintained the right-of-way. The Collection includes a research
library and smaller railway artifacts including dining car china,
specialized tools, signage and lanterns.
The
Museum Collection also includes 5.5 miles of main line track, five
railway bridges, 3.5 miles of historic right-of-way, and the
fully-restored Snoqualmie Depot, constructed in 1890.
References
Snoqualmie
Valley Community Plan
lists development of a regional railroad museum in the Snoqualmie
area to promote understanding of the regional significance of
railroads in the settlement and development pattern of Washington
State as policy.
City
of Snoqualmie Comprehensive Plan lists
the Railway Museum as an important economic and cultural asset.
Mountains
to Sound Greenway Vision
identifies the region as rich in railway history and calls for the
establishment of a railway interpretive center in the Snoqualmie
area.
Recreation
In A Rural Economy
identifies the Museum as "an exceptionally important
recreational feature that links both towns and will produce
increasing economic benefits in the future."
Washington
State Parks
recognizes the Museum as having the greatest interpretive potential
of any similar organization in the state.
Achievements
Major
achievements of the Northwest Railway Museum include:
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Preservation and operation of a five mile historic railway,
including extension into downtown North Bend.
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Complete restoration of the 1890-built Snoqualmie Depot.
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Amassing a Collection representative of Northwest railroading.
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Successful operation of an interpretive railway for nearly 40 years.
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Development and implementation of a training program allowing
volunteers to operate trains and engines.
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Successful administration of over $4 million in grants and
donations.
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Restoration of numerous historic railway transportation artifacts.
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Establishment of a Railway Research Library.
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Development and operation of a unique and successful Museum Store.
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Funding and restoration of a major railroad bridge in North Bend.
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Community involvement.
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