Highlights from 2015

2015
was a year of significant accomplishment at the Northwest Railway Museum. Read on to learn about some of the highlights!

This
2015 continued a major multiyear effort to improve the passenger car fleet. In
the first part of the year Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway coach 276
received an all-new standing seam lower clerestory roof complete with high
performance paint job. At the same time, a great deal interior work,
refurbished vestibule traps and doors, and assorted running gear work was
completed.

Oregon,
Washington, Railroad and Navigation Company (Union Pacific) observation car
1590 saw significant replacement of the steel underframe cross bracing
replaced, a new leaf spring, side bearing work, floor repairs, roof repairs,
and brake system work.

2015 was an important year for the City of Snoqualmie too.  A major reconstruction of downtown Snoqualmie valued at more than $3 million was completed.  It features a new boardwalk just across the tracks from the Snoqualmie Depot, new landscaping, and a 42 inch fence to deter trespassing on the tracks.

A great
number of improvements to the Conservation and Restoration Center (shop)
facility occurred in 2015 with the acquisition of several large machines
including a 48″ vertical turret lathe, Cincinnati 5 milling machine,
Clemco 1000 48″ belt sander/surfacer, 18″ American lathe, Carelton radial drill,
Grizzly edge sander, Gould and Eberhart 24″ shaper, Dewalt planer/surface, wheel press, as well as numerous hand tools
and supplies.

Steam
locomotives have been the really big story in 2015 with significant changes,
and progress towards a sustainable steam program.  Curator Pappas’ SCPC 2 received a great deal
of work in the first half of the year to improve performance and economy. Piston
rods were turned and ground, new packing installed, guides remachined and
lined, rear cylinder heads lapped in, ring grooves trued, and new rings
installed.  This allowed for the Northwest Railway Museum’s first full
steam season in more than 25 years, which was a tremendous success with
ridership increases, crew training, and enhanced public education.

Northern
Pacific Railway steam locomotive 924 – the Museum’s Rogers-built 1898 0-6-0 – saw
a great deal of progress towards its operational rehabilitation and restoration
to its circa 1906 appearance. In 2015, a new riveted slope back cistern was
built for the tender, in house asbestos abatement completed, form 4 boiler
engineering finished, a new riveted steam done constructed and installed, new
steam dome lid machined, firebox side sheets fabricated and welded in, and a
new cap stack fabricated to match historic photographs circa 1906.

The
Museum’s diesel fleet also saw improvements with the conversion of RS4-TC 4012 from
a direct drive cooling fan to a battery of temperature-controlled electric
cooling fans using off-the-shelf components for improved reliability. This
conversion keeps the locomotive’s diesel engine operating temperature within
two or three degrees of optimal, which improves efficiency and reduces
wear.  The new cooling design mimics what
modern locomotives use and has proven very reliable.  Very importantly, locomotive 4012 received new batteries in 2015.  New “Rolls” locomotive batteries were installed at the beginning of the season and have really helped with cool weather starts.

The
Snoqualmie Depot received some important work too.  The two waiting room floors were refinished
and the Depot Bookstore was relocated into the ladies’ waiting room.  It had been located in the gentlemen’s
waiting room since the early 1980s.  This change is allowing improved programming.  For instance, Santa Train 2015 used the newly available gentlemen’s waiting room as Santa’s parlor.