Santa Rides the Yuletide Express at the Northwest Railway Museum

You better watch out, you better not pout, ‘cause Santa is riding the rails this year on the Yuletide Express! Join Santa and his elves on the Yuletide Express on weekends beginning Saturday, November 28 through Saturday, December 19th. On this new 25-minute holiday train ride, guests will board the festively decorated antique coaches at the historic Snoqualmie Depot.

The excursion will travel west to the top of Snoqualmie Falls, pausing briefly at the crest to see the impressive and awe-inspiring view of the river valley below before returning to Snoqualmie. Every child will receive a small gift from Santa, and each ticket-holder will receive two (commercially packaged) cookies. The Yuletide Express with Santa will run rain or shine (or snow!) And he and his elves are looking forward to greeting guests when the holler of “All Aboard” is given.

This new excursion is offered in place of the Museum’s usual Santa Train, which will not be able to operate this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, for new and returning guests alike, we think you will enjoy our Yuletide Express along with all the steps we have taken to help keep you and your family safe.

Tickets must be purchased online at TrainMuseum.org, in advance of each train ride, and each ticket includes admission to visit the Train Shed Exhibit Hall, too. This unique exhibit building allows guests to follow the path of how the railroad changed everything and examine more of the Museum’s large and small collections!

Yuletide Express tickets are $24 for ages 2 and older. The train will run rain or shine (or snow!). And don’t forget, this year’s Yuletide Express begins with guests boarding the train at the historic Snoqualmie Depot (38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie WA 98065.)

To comply with Washington State COVID requirements that keep our guests, volunteers and staff safe, social distancing and mask usage are in place. These include:

• Please arrive no more than 25-minutes before your train’s departure time.
• Masks are required. If you feel unwell or have a fever, please call to reschedule.

About the Northwest Railway Museum

The Museum was founded in 1957 and is the largest railway museum in Washington State. It serves more than 130,000 visitors per year, and is known for popular family programs including Santa Train®, School Train, Day Out With Thomas™, Halloween Storytelling Train and Snoqualmie Railroad Days.

The Museum operates an interpretive program offering heritage railway excursions through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, and interpretive exhibits that illustrate the role the railway played in the settlement and development of the region. The Museum’s collection of railway cars, locomotives and equipment is one of the most significant in the wester Unites States, and includes over 70 examples of locomotives, passenger and freight cars, and specialized railway equipment.

The Northwest Railway Museum is centered in the Snoqualmie Depot, recognized as the oldest continuously operated train station in Washington State. Self-guided tours of the Train Shed Exhibit Hall at the Railway History Center campus on Stone Quarry Road are included on train rides and for walk up visitors. Guided Grand Tours include visits inside the historic “Messenger of Peace” chapel car, Caboose 001, and the shop floor of the Conservation & Restoration Workshop. For more information on train schedules, special events and operating hours, visit: TrainMuseum.org or call 425.888.3030.