The Northwest Railway Museum officially announces steam program.

[Rayonier]

http://www.trainmuseum.blogspot.com/2014/10/steam-program-announced.html

I find their choice of locomotives interesting, I would have thought 11 would have been the first choice considering that it ran the most recently. Although I seem to remember there being a reason beyond the boiler inspection in 1990 being the reason they stopped running her. Regardless this is a major step forward for the museum.

 

[Sean R Das]

According to THIS (http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=1286 http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=1289) the engines are coal burners (in fact almost all NP steamers were coal burners). How are they going to get locomotive-grade coal to Washington state?

 

[bcp]

There is lots of coal in Washington, but no more large mining operations. Some small scale operations may still be going on. And, there are trainloads of coal coming in every day.

For example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia_Coal_Mine
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2003456285_coalmine01m.html

Bruce

 

[Rayonier]

The two locomotives were moved today.

http://www.trainmuseum.blogspot.com/2014/10/and-so-it-begins.html

 

[Damon Hill]

Good to see this finally happening; my first visit to Snoqualmie was in 1993 and I was a little disappointed that the steam collection was idle and seemingly in danger of rusting away. Hopefully everything will at least be cosmetically restored some day.

I imagine the 11 could pull the entire collection of rolling stock by itself, but maybe it's just a little too big to be very practical? The ten-wheeler looks hefty enough to pull a good string of coaches. I'd like to see runs of mixed freight and coaches; great photo op!

Are there any plans to build an operational turntable, even a classic "armstrong"?

 

[Rayonier]

Are there any plans to build an operational turntable, even a classic "armstrong"?

There was a concept design back in 2007/2008 that included a turntable and round house. The restoration shop and train shed are complete, and the Library and Archives is under development. As for the roundhouse and turntable I'm not sure if that is still in the plan or not.

https://web.archive.org/web/20081025023150im_/http://www.trainmuseum.org/ConceptPlan.jpg

 

[Damon Hill]

That's a grand vision; one can hope it'll eventually be realized. I'm really pleased with what they've accomplished so far with the present buildings.