![]() Riders and visitors to the museum are able to learn about the rich logging history of Mason County by touring the rail lines at the old Simpson Timber dry lot. Out on the Olympic Peninsula near Shelton, the Peninsular Railway and Lumbermen’s Museum is one of the newest scenic train ride and museum locations in Washington. Scenic rides aren’t just limited to trips around the Cascades. Photo courtesy of The Peninsular Railway Lumberman Museum Shelton’s the Peninsular Train model at the Northern Cascade Railway Museum. Consider staying in the area and exploring the Northwest Railway museums along the route, located at multiple spots in the Snoqualmie Valley. A Yuletide Express and Santa Train also make 25-minute and 2-hour holiday excursions, respectively, on select dates in late November and December. ![]() Trains depart for this roughly 2-hour roundtrip ride on weekends from April through November, with a number of special themed rides around holidays. From historic railroad coaches, passengers can take in the sights of the lower Cascades along a 5.5-mile stretch of railway that has been used since the 1880s. Starting at the North Bend Depot, the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad traverses through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley all the way to views of the iconic Snoqualmie Falls. Off of Interstate 90 at North Bend, a short, scenic railway adventure awaits. With an emphasis on the history of the Great Northern Railway, stopping here lets visitors experience and learn about the region’s rail history. The train runs from May through October, and the museum is open five days a week (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday). What makes it so special is the free train rides on a 1/8-scale train around a 0.5-mile track to enjoy. Located at a fully restored 1898 Great Northern Railway Depot, this is a unique stop for all ages. Skykomishįor a change of pace and scale, head up to Highway 2 and visit the Great Northern and Cascade Railway in Skykomish. The train stops at Glacier National Park, giving passengers a chance to get off and see the sights of this wondrous park before returning back home a few days later. One doesn’t have to go all the way to Chicago, though. The Empire Builder runs a much longer journey from Seattle to Chicago, and it passes through jaw-dropping landscapes as it crosses the northern part of the country. After a scenic train ride, passengers can partake in the festivities during the annual Christmas Lighting Festival before heading back to Seattle.) Glacier National Park (In December, a local tour operator also charters an Amtrak train that leaves Seattle for Leavenworth each Saturday, giving riders a chance to bask in the town’s renowned holiday celebration. The Empire Builder also allows riders to go to Leavenworth from Spokane. A layover of a day or more in Leavenworth may be required to make this a round-trip train ride. ![]() Be aware that there are no day-trip options, however. ![]() Towering peaks and dense forests are visible from the train, but for many, the highlight before reaching Leavenworth is passing through the Cascade Tunnel, an 8-mile-long tunnel that is one of the longest in North America.Īmtrak’s Empire Builder is an option for a scenic trip to Leavenworth any time of the year. Passing into the rugged Cascade Mountains, skirting Highway 2 and the Skykomish River, riders will be in awe at the natural beauty of the region. One of the classic, scenic train rides in Western Washington is the route to the Bavarian-inspired mountain town of Leavenworth. Thankfully, there is a way to see the breathtaking landscape - the scenic train rides of Washington. With hands at 10 and two, and a focus on the road and the cars all around, drivers may miss the towering stands of evergreens, the rolling hills, the glaciated peaks or the rugged geology of the ancient flood lands. There is no denying that the Pacific Northwest is a wonderland, but as we zip to and fro in cars, attentive and responsible motorists may often miss some of the more subtle nuances of the terrain. Today, only a handful of these once numerous railroads have passenger capabilities, but railroads deliver an unforgettable experience. Train travel was once the way many saw the region, leisurely sitting and looking outside as the train rumbled down the tracks to destinations crisscrossing the Pacific Northwest states. Scenic Rides, Vintage Trains and Unique Rail Museums ![]()
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