NRM Volunteers

Please contact Jessie Cunningham, Volunteer Manager, at (425) 888-3030 ext. 204 or by email, jessie@trainmuseum.org, Sunday - Thursday for more information on these projects/events.

Click here to view the updated version of the Northwest Railway Museum's long-term plan.

Completed projects have been moved to the "Recently Completed Projects" section of this page.

Track related to construction of the new train shed is in final design and some limited work is expected to begin soon. Watch this space for details.

Collection Care

Rayonier side dump car

This car was used by Rayonier to transport and place agregates along their logging railroad. It is currently undergoing a complete rehabiliation in the CRC. Work includes replacement of the rotten wood, cleaning and coating steel components, repairing broken castings, replacing missing fasteners and hardware, and painting everything.

Renton History Museum's Coal Car

Complete rehabiliation is being performed under contract with the Renton History Museum. Rotten boards are being replaced. Rusted steel is being scaped and chemically treated for preservation. Bolts are being replaced with correct size and type. Work is expected to wrap up in June.

Locomotive 4012

Several repairs and upgrades are being performed:

A high resistance (7 ohms) battery cable is being replaced. It has been causing problems with the charging system.
Broken hinges on fireman's side battery boxes are being replaced.
Broken hinges on engineer's armrest are being replaced.
Front walkways are being scraped and painted.

Car 1590

The Union Pacific observation car is having a series of upgrades performed:

Replace brake cylinder boot
Shim diaphragm
Cut out opening and install window in car center section, right side
Replace last three windows on right side rear of car
Strengthen rear platform trap hinge supports
Recoat roof with synthetic rubber

Coach 218

Carlines

New carlines for coach 218

This 1912 Barney and Smith coach is inside the CRC for a major rehabilitation. The 218 has been in storage for over 20 years and work will include structural repairs, replacement of exterior sheathing and roof cladding, a new interior floor, and major work on the steps and end platforms. Most research has been completed and work is now transitioning to active rehabilitation work:

Rip, plane and profile pine boards for use as roof decking.
Remove and dispose of interior flooring. Clean up steel side sills and supports, coat with synthetic coal tar.
Repair top deck plate.
Trim to fit and install new carlines.
Document and remove interior paneling.

Recently completed projects

Lots of projects are underway at the Museum but many have been completed too. Here is a selection of recent projects:

Thanks to Johm Heider for welding new hinges on locomotive 4012 and repairing a broken casting on the side dump car.
Thank you to Steve Penner for removing some butterfly bushes in preparation for rotating the container.
Thank you to Isaac Farrar for working on the "locomotive windsheild wiper project" at the Snoqualmie Depot.
Thank you to Brandon Crews and Steve Penner for their work on fixing the track ballast regulator and for cleaning up the right of way.
Thank you to Bob Ledingham, Steve Olson, Steve Penner, Dave Jacobsen, Dan Calhoun, Allan Whitcomb, Isaac Farrar and Jon Beveridge for switching in the compound for the new interpretive signs along the Centennial Trail.