January is traditionally the slowest month of the year for the Northwest Railway Museum. It is a time to reflect on the prior year, plan for the coming year, and to conduct annual inventories. This month, however, has not been typical.
In addition to being one of the warmest Januaries on record, there have been some powerful wind storms. Trees have been blown down, power out, and traffic detoured. Wind storms have also destroyed a total of three railroad crossing gates on the Museum’s railroad in North Bend.
Crossing gates are designed to withstand wind gusts of more than 70 miles per hour, but despite official records indicating gusts of “just” 50 mph, three gates – made of extruded aluminum – folded up over the wind guards. Of course, despite the unexpected expense and effort, they will be repaired in time for the coming season, which begins at 11 AM on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
