Scouts improve safety and security

Troup 466 of the Boy Scouts of America. Quite a remarkable troop actually. In the last several years they have turned out more than a dozen Eagle Scouts. In fact so many Eagle Scouts that it is easy to forget that becoming an Eagle Scout is a remarkable achievement, and is not common place.

So the remarkable Alex C. planned his obligatory Eagle Scout project last spring. He offered to undertake a project at the Northwest Railway Museum. And the Museum came up with quite a project: 400 feet of fencing to improve safety and security. 400 feet of fence to keep accidental trespassers from wandering onto an active railroad. 400 feet of fence to keep the not so accidental trespassers from doing, well, inappropriate things.

More than 16 people participated under Alex's direction (14 plus Alex are shown in the photo and inset). His father drove a tractor, his younger brother helped measure, other adults operated concrete mixers, and other scouts poured concrete, stretched fencing fabric, and helped make the Snoqualmie Valley a better place.

So congratulations Alex on a project well planned and managed. You and your team have completed a project and teh Northwest Railway Museum is grateful for your contribution.

Hippity Hoppity

The Easter Bunny visited the Northwest Railway Museum a little early this year. He left a treat for all the children who ride the Museum’s antique train this weekend. Come to Snoqualmie, purchase your train tickets, and if you’re 12 years of age or less, ask the ticket agent for your special gift.

Trains depart Snoqualmie at 12:01, 1:31 and 3:01. They travel to North Bend and back through Snoqualmie, continuing on to just past Snoqualmie Falls. At 3:41 PM there is a special run just to the falls and back to Snoqualmie.

It’s a great weekend to experience the Snoqualmie Valley and all it has to offer: beautiful scenery and hiking opportunities, many visitor-friendly parks, and great local places to shop and dine. And you can see much of it aboard the Northwest Railway Museum’s scenic train excursion.

A Train Runs Through It

Attribute it to luck, good fortune or just plain hard work. Once again, the beauty of the upper scenic Snoqualmie Valley will be showcased through the windows of our antique train, as it glides along the rails of our newly restored right-of-way. We’re pleased and grateful to announce that thanks to public agencies, such as 4Culture, the City of Snoqualmie, and the heroic efforts of private individuals who donated funds and/or volunteer hours to aid in the clean up, the Northwest Railway Museum season will officially open April 4, resuming full train service through the scenic Upper Snoqualmie Valley. While there are still repairs to perform and funds to raise, repairing the track is well underway and work on that segment of the flood damage should be completed in another week. So beginning on Saturday, April 4, and on each Saturday and Sunday through October, the Northwest Railway Museum will offer 75-minute round-trip train rides to the top of Snoqualmie Falls. A full schedule is available here .

Snoqualmie Valley Railroad’s 2009 season features two new offerings on its schedule: Easter Train (April 11 & 12) and Snoqualmie Railroad Days (August 22.) Greatly anticipated are the return of the Museum’s other popular family programs, including Mothers Ride Free, Fathers Ride Free, Grandparents’ Grand Excursion, Halloween Train, Santa Train® and Day Out with ThomasTM.

Visitors to the Northwest Railway Museum experience the excitement of a working railroad while learning about the important role railroads played in shaping the character of the Pacific Northwest. The depot and bookstore are open to the public 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.