Northwest Railway Museum

Snoqualmie-North Bend, Washington

What's new at the Museum:

• Collection care facility proceeding - your support is needed.  The Northwest Railway Museum is moving forward with construction of the Conservation and Restoration Center (CRC). This facility will be used to perform collection care on historic railway transportation artifacts including steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars and track maintenance vehicles. Track construction is expected to begin in winter 2004/5 and foundation work will begin in the spring of 2005.  More information about this $1.9 million project is available when you click here.

• New!  Online Membership!! Purchase your membership online today. Click here to purchase a new membership or renew your current membership.

• Bridge 35 rehabilitation completed.  
  The Museum in partnership with King County Roads and Washington State Department of Transportation has completed restoration of Bridge 35.  To view some great photographs of the bridge taken by Brian Fritz before restoration began, click here.  To view images of the restoration process, click here.

This 160-foot long through-pin connected Pratt truss was constructed in 1891 in Montana and was moved to North Bend in 1923.  Rehabilitation included cleaning and painting of the steel structure, in-kind replacement of the "Ship - Northern Pacific - Travel" sign, replacement of 5 pile caps, and complete replacement of the timber deck.  Total project cost was over $493,000.  Funding was provided from the Federal TEA-21 Transportation Enhancements program, from the Cultural Development Authority of King County and the Northwest Railway Museum using private donations and net proceeds from special events.

• New Locomotive.  The Northwest Railway Museum is pleased to announce acquisition of the Northern Pacific Railway's second diesel electric locomotive.  It is a model HH660 switcher built by Alco in February 1940. The Museum's plan is to move it to Snoqualmie by truck sometime in 2005 for restoration to its circa 1940's appearance (paint, lettering, headlights & footboards). It will be exhibited at the Snoqualmie Depot.  Although it will be maintained as an operational locomotive, it will only be operated during special events. 

   

  The locomotive was delivered as the #125. Its history includes service as the King Street coach yard switcher and as a switcher on the Seattle docks. Its local significance makes it eligible for nomination to the King County Landmarks Register.  Estimated costs for this project are substantial: $7,000 for restoration & $26,000 for trucking. The Northwest Railway Museum appeals for any assistance Museum supporters can offer this project.