Steam Train Day Trips in Washington State

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad

• The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum is located near Centralia, off Interstate 5 between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. From late May to late September, the railroad offers regular weekend excursions on a train powered by a steam locomotive from 1916. You can take the 12-mile, 90-minute Milburn round trip on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, or the 18-mile, 2-hour Ruth round trip on Saturday evenings. The railroad also holds brunch and dinner trips to Ruth on select dates, themed and holiday rides, and other special events. Adult fares for regularly scheduled trips ranged from $11 to $14, as of September 2010.

  Chehalis-Centralia Railroad

  1945 S. Market Blvd.

  Chehalis, WA 98532

  360-748-9593

  steamtrainride.com

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

• The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad takes you on a 2-hour round trip from the town of Elbe to Mineral Lake, where you can spend about 15 minutes walking, taking photographs and enjoying the scenery before returning to the depot. Regular excursions take place Fridays through Sundays from June to September. A barbecue lunch is offered on select trips, and for an additional fee you can ride in the steam locomotive with the engineer. The railroad also hosts holiday, themed and seasonal trips. As of September 2010, adult fares started at $20. In addition to taking train rides, you can see a variety of vintage and restored train equipment on the premises, and the railroad operates diesel as well as steam locomotives.

  The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

  54124 Mountain Hwy E.

  Elbe, WA 98355

  360-569-2588

  mrsr.com

Lake Whatcom Railway

• The Lake Whatcom Railway depot is located in Wickersham, near Bellingham in northwestern Washington. While the train itself is now powered by a diesel engine, you can see a century-old steam locomotive, pump a vintage hand car and ride in coaches from the early 20th century. Trips last approximately 90 minutes, are about 7 miles and are offered on Saturdays from late July to early September. Rides on self-propelled cars are available each Tuesday during August, and the railway also may operate holiday trips throughout the year. As of September 2010, adult fares were $18.

  Lake Whatcom Railway

  P.O. Box 91

  Acme, WA 98220

  360-595-2218

  lakewhatcomrailway.com