The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum is now open for their regular season that boasts weekends full of steam train fun. It’s a unique experience that no one will forget – and with Mother Nature constantly changing the scenery, no ride is ever the same. Whether you’ve been a dozen times or never before, riding the steam train is a not-to-be-missed summer tradition in Lewis County.
“The scenery is really breathtaking and is one of the main reasons I tell people to ride the train,” says Wanda Thompson, secretary and treasurer for the museum. “Like last week we saw an eagle fishing on the sandbar at the river. We see coyotes, horses, mules, dairy and beef cattle, deer, etc. And we get to watch the farmers with their crops – from planting all the way through harvest. There is always something going on and that makes it a really unique experience.”
She and her husband, museum president Bill Thompson, bought the train station in 1995, donated it to the museum and moved it to the grounds.
Lewis County summers are not too hot, making them perfect for a ride in the open air cars on the steam train. They also have enclosed cars, but Wanda says feeling the breeze through your hair and smelling the fresh air is really relaxing. In fact, the train goes at such a peaceful pace, you might find yourself nodding off. “It puts babies and seniors to sleep a lot,” Wanda adds. “It’s just a nice, relaxing time without having to worry about driving or traffic or where you are going.”
Special Event Trains
During the summer, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum has a few special events to make your summer even more fun. Coming up in July they will have a Kids Day and Senior Day.
Kids Day is Saturday, July 8, and will be full of activities for kids of all ages. They are planning on having a fish tank, sack races, a cookie walk and other old-fashioned games. These will be held at the station and the kids can participate before and after the train ride. On that day, tickets to ride the train for children 4 to 15 years old will be half price. Children under three ride free with a paying adult.
Photo courtesy: Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum
Then, on Sunday, July 9, they have Senior Day with a dinner train. For seniors 62 and older, regularly scheduled train rides will be discounted, excluding the dinner train. They will also be giving out prizes during the rides.
During the summer you can also take a romantic dinner train. Step back in time and experience what it was like to ride in a dining car during the 1920s, complete with white linen tablecloths, full china and impeccable wait staff. The four-course meal includes a choice of three entrees and is $50 a person. Tickets sell out fast for these rides.
Last but certainly not least are the Murder Mystery Dinner Trains. Anyone who has read or watched Murder on the Orient Express, will die to go on this fun ride. The Evergreen Playhouse actors write the original scripts and perform them for passengers, while you enjoy a delicious meal in the dining car. Each train is a different mystery. You will get to play detective as clues are revealed, and you will be given an opportunity to solve the crime.
This year, the Murder Mystery Dinner Trains take place at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday June 24, July 29, August 26, September 30 and a special Halloween one on Sunday, October 29 at 4:00 p.m. These are by far the most popular of their trains, with three of the five already sold out or nearly sold out for this season. Tickets are $60 for adults and $25 for children 10 or younger.
Regular Summer Schedule
The regular train schedule includes rides every Saturday and Sunday through August. In September, they will have rides every Saturday. These rides include the Coach to Milburn ride, which is a 13-mile route through Milburn. It departs at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on both days. Travel time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets for the Milburn ride are $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $11 for children 4 to 15 years old. Children under three ride free with an adult on both train rides.
The Coach to Ruth is an 18-mile route that goes through Ruth and is offered Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. through September. It’s a beautiful ride that takes advantage of our comfortable summer evenings. Travel time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Ticket prices for the Ruth trip are $17 for adults, $16 for seniors and $14 for children 4 to 15 years old. Children under three ride free with an adult on both train rides.
Now that the Chehalis train offers new online ticketing, you can secure your tickets for the ride of your choice from the comfort of your own home. If you are planning on the mystery dinner, you better get your tickets now as they are going fast. Visit the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Sponsored
