You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy riding the rails! Railroads were an important part of the emerging economies of the Pacific Northwest. The challenging terrain made transporting by train difficult, but necessary, with long expanses of area to transport goods to port. There are several fabulous train museums, and a variety of railroads and trolleys still available for rides. From the open-air beauty of the Oregon Scenic Railroad along the Oregon beach, to the forests of SW Washington riding the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, to dinner aboard the Chehalis Centralia Railroad, there is something for every train enthusiast.
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Rockaway Beach, Oregon
There is nothing like an open air train ride – especially along the beautiful Oregon coastline. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad runs in the summers between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi. Scenic views await!
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Yacolt, Washington
An all-volunteer excursion railroad offering rides aboard both steam powered and diesel powered trains. Based in the small town of Yacolt, Washington northeast of Vancouver. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Lewis River on your trip to Yacolt. Ride in an open car or choose an indoor seat as you ride the rails in the pretty evergreen forest of the Cascade foothills. A great stop on the way to visit Mt. St. Helens. Special train excursions include Mothers Day, Veterans Day, and a special Christmas train where you can ride out to pick up a Christmas tree and bring it back with you aboard the train. Runs May through December.
Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Yacolt, WA
Mt. Hood Railroad, Hood River, Oregon
The Mt. Hood Railroad runs out of the depot in Hood River, Oregon, situated along the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Regular runs travel through woods,orchards, and vineyards with view of Mt. Hood. Stopping in Parkdale where you can enjoy a picnic lunch or visit the Hutson Museum before your return to beautiful Hood River. With special train ride events such as the Fruit Blossom Special, Western Train Robbery or Murder Mystery rides. Runs May – October.
Mt Hood Railroad, Oregon
Chehalis & Centralia Railroad, Chehalis, Washington
Located just off I-5 mid-way between Seattle and Portland, the Chehalis & Centralia Railroad is one of the few trains offering dinner excursions. They offer a variety of holiday special excursions including a Valentine dinner, Easter Eggspress, a Mother’s day lunch, a Pumpkin train, a Santa Steam Train, and the Polar Express. Regular season runs May through September on weekends. The steam train’s route begins in Chehalis and takes you through Lewis County along scenic waterways and rolling pastureland.
1101 SW Sylvenus St, Chehalis, WA 98532
Chehalis Centralia Dinner Train, Washington
Chehalis Centralia Railroad, Washington
Chehalis & Centralia Railroad & Museum
Lewis County Museum Model Train
As part of the Lewis County Museum in Chehalis, WA, they have a model train display highlighting the major communities located in the county. Built and maintained by the Lewis County Model Railroad Club, it is a fun exhibit and part of an entertaining small museum located right in the heart of downtown Chehalis. 599 NW Front Way, Chehalis WA 98532
Lewis River Model Railroad, Chehalis, WA
Lewis County Historical Museum
Oregon Electric Railway Museum at Powerland Heritage Park, Brooks, Oregon
Located just north of the capitol city of Salem, Oregon and just off I-5 at Brooks, is an amazing complex that includes 14 different museums all dedicated to the preservation and love for things that move. The Oregon Electric Ralway Museum is one of those museums on site and is the largest streetcar/trolly museum in the Pacific Northwest. Here you can take a ride on a trolley, tour the car barn, and visit Hopmere Station, a replica train ticket station. They have trolleys not only from the Pacific Northwest, but from around the world. The museum is available for rental to hold birthdays, weddings, corporate events, and family reunions. A volunteer-run operation, it is open weekends all summer long. 3995 Brooklake Road Brook, OR 97303
Oregon Electric Railway Museum, Brooks Oregon
Oregon Electric Railway Museum
Willow Creek Railroad, Brooks Oregon
What kid wouldn’t enjoy taking a ride on a small-scale train? Located on the same campus as the Trolley Museum at Powerland Heritage Park, a campus of 14 different museums all dedicated to things that move. Willow Creek Railroad operates on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and when there are special campus-wide events. The railroad is available for special events, and birthday parties. The trains are large-scale model railroads built on a 1:8 scale. A joy to ride for every child and kid-at-heart.
Willow Creek Railroad, Brooks OR
Northwest Railroad Museum, Snoqualimie, Washington
Come experience how railroads changed everything. Visit the museum, or take a ride on a vintage train. The museum is open Thursdays through Sundas April through October. Regular trains run weekends April through October with a few special excursion train rides including wine train excursions, Halloween train, Santa train, and birthday party trains. There is a train shed, exhibits, and a railway education center. The route takes you to gorgeous Snoqualmie Falls and back. 38625 SE King St, Snoqualimie, WA 98065
NW Railway Museum, Snoqualmie, Washington
NW Railway Museum, Snoqualimie, Washington
Mt Rainier RR & Logging Museum
A steam powered heritage railroad with runs beween Elbe and Mineral, Washington, located East of Chehalis and South of Tacoma. The route takes you through thick forests and along the Upper Nisqually River at the foothills of beautiful Mt. Rainier. You leave the depot in Elbe and arrive in Mineral where you can tour the museum. Exhibits tell the stories of pioneers and railroad logging camps in the early to mid 1900s. With special excursion train rides such as their Wine Train, Hard Cider express, Octoberfest train, Polar Express, and Great Pumpkin Peanuts train ride. 54124 Mountain Hwy E, Elbe, WA 98330
Mt Rainier Railroad
NW Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish,Washington
Founded in 1989, the museum and depot is restored to its former glory. They have a telegraph room, freight room, a displays of many different types of freight cars, a fully restored wooden caboose, steam trains, snow spreader, and engine house. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, May through October and for special excursions including birthday parties, a Dinner Train to Nowhere, Pumpkin Run, and a Christmas Toy Train. Toppenish is a town of about 8,000 located within the Yakima Indian Reservation near Yakima, WA. If you love history, stop by the nearby National Historic Site of the Teapot Dome Gas Station in Zillah.
Northern Railway Museum, Toppenish WA
Northern Pacific Railway Museum
Yakima Valley Trolleys
Ride on a beautiully restored electric trolley in historic old Yakima. Yakima’s trolley system has remained unchanged for 100 years and runs through residential districts, farmland orchards, and a river canyon. It runs May through September on a 5 mile line to Selah, WA and along the quaint Pine Street line.
306 W. Pine St, Yakima WA 98902
Yakima Valley Trolleys, Washington
Ritzville Railroad Depot Museum, Ritzville, Washington
Built in 1910, the depot at Ritzville was the largest and heaviest grain shipping railroad station in the world, which is why it is such a large depot in such a small town. Ritzville is located at the junction of highways between Ellensburg, Spokane, and Tri Cities, on I-90. Passenger rail service once served the town connecting it to the large city of Spokane. The depot has changed very little over the years, with displays inside showing life as it was in years gone by. The museum is open June through August, but is available for visits by appointment.
201 W Railroad Ave, Ritzville WA 99169
Ritzville Depot Museum, Washington
Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Portland, Oregon
Located in Portland, the Oregon Rail Heritage Center houses three steam locomotives, guided tours of big engines, a gift shop, and changing exhibits. The Oregon Pacific Railroad offers short rail trips to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The Holidy Express train departs from Oaks Park in Southeast Portland in November and December. The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays.
2250 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Oregon Rail Heritage Museum
Willamette Trolley, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Step back in time in a beautiful replica trolley running along the Willamette River connecting Lake Oswego and Portland. Hear the clang as you rumble along the tracks through historic old homes, through a tunnel, and along a trestle to see lovely river views. Choose a scenic 10 mile roundtrip or enjoy a one-way trip stopping for lunch or shopping at the end of your journey. Scheduled trolley service runs weekends. Special holiday trolley runs to view Christmas Ships lights or Christmas carol sing-a-longs.
311 N. State Street, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Willamete Trolley, Lake Oswego Oregon
Willamette Shore Trolley, Lake Oswego OR
Jacksonville Trolley, Jacksonville, Oregon
Enjoy a narrated history of Jacksonville as you ride past gracious vintage homes and commercial buildings in the lovely historic town of Jacksonville in southern Oregon. Tour rides are approximately 45 minutes departing from the Visitor Information Center. Runs Friday through Monday May through October and daily June through September, with 5 tours a day. If you enjoy history, there is also the Beekman Bank Museum and Beekman House in Jacksonville. Come for the wineries, concerts, or scenic adventures, and enjoy a tour of the city aboard the beautiful trolley.
Jacksonville trolley tour
AllAboard Trolley Tours of Southern Oregon, Medford, Oregon
Explore Southern Oregon in unique style. Every Saturday trolleys explore different wine regions aboard a 1920s San Frncisco trolley. You can book a private wine tour where you will see 3 wineries including wine tastings over 6 hours.
Allaboard trolley wine tour
Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum
An elegant depot houses a two story brick museum. Inside you will find a re-creation of an early working railroad station with exhibits telling the history of railroading in the local mining industry. The depot was rehabilitated and converted to a museum in 1986. Located in historic Wallace, Idaho just of I-90 where you will find multiple museums. The depot is a vibrant part of the community and is the site of a classic car show during Depot Days every year in May. The railroad museum is open seasonally April through October.
Northern Pacific RR Museum, Wallace, ID
Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum
Canyon County Historical Nampa Train Depot Museum
A treasure trove of historical items and local treasures, the Nampa Train Depot Museum is part of the Canyon County Historical Society. It contains a model railroad, , a beautifully carved train ticket window, and many historical artifacts. The train museum is open Thursday through Saturdays.
1200 Front St, Nampa, ID 83651
Canyon County Historical Nampa Train Depot Museum, Nampa ID