The Northern Pacific Railway Museum

The Northern Pacific Railway Museum is located in the NP’s former depot in Toppenish, Washington. Since the museum was started in the early 1990s it has achieved many goals including restoration on the NP depot at Toppenish and the acquisition of a good collection of rolling stock and equipment. Below is a brief history of the museum courtesy of the Northern Pacific Railway Museum:

The Toppenish railroad depot was built by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1911. For 50 years it served as the transportation center of the community. As automobile, bus and airplane service increased, railroad transportation declined and in 1961 passenger service from Toppenish was discontinued. In 1981 the depot was no longer of use to the railroad and it was boarded up. In 1989 a group of railfans approached the city and the railroad about leasing the depot as a railroad museum.

The Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum Association (YVR&S) was formed to accomplish this goal. With the city's help the depot was leased in 1990. The Fort Simcoe Job Corp was able to refurbish the damaged plaster ceilings. Many hours of volunteer work resulted in the replacement of the electrical systems, stripping of the paint from the oak trim, and the beginnings of the museum displays. The museum had its grand opening on July 4, 1992. In 1993 the depot and adjacent freight house were purchased from the Burlington Northern Railroad. In 2000 the museum division was renamed the Northern Pacific Railway Museum.

In 1993 an agreement was reached with the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma for the lease of the 1902 Northern Pacific engine #1364. Volunteers converted the old Toppenish freight house to an engine house. The wooden floors were removed from the old freight area. Concrete and rail were laid so that the locomotive could be moved inside. Many more hours of work are coming to fruition as the once derelict locomotive begins to take shape again in preparation for planned return to service in 2006. A 1930's vintage freight train is being restored to display the importance of railroad transportation to early western development.

Along with the equipment owned by the museum they also have a number of other things to do and see, including an operating layout every weekend. Below are a number of events ongoing throughout the 2008 year at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum (information also comes courtesy of the museum):

Northern Pacific Railway Museum Regular Season: May 3 to October 31, 2008 Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday Noon to 4 PM

Training Days: June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, 2008 This is the time for engineer and brakeman trainees and new volunteers to become acquainted. Training sessions will be held for those who aspire to learn railroad operations.

Work Day, BBQ and Northern Pacific History lecture: April 12-13, June 14-15, and September 13-14, 2008 Stop by and give a hand with the many projects at the museum. New volunteers will be guided through various projects each work day. A barbeque and picnic will be held at the depot along with an evening lecture co-sponsored by the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Society. For those that want to come early and stay late we will plan to get together Friday evening and have further work in progress on Sunday. Limited accommodations are available--click for further information.

10th Annual Toppenish Rail and Western Art Show: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 15, 16 and 17, 2008 The museum holds its largest event in conjunction with the city's Western art show. There will be approximately 20 featured western and railroad artists displaying their art and crafts. The museum shows the following:

* Extensive display of Western and railroad art

* Caboose rides in the depot yard.

* NP 2152 Light Pacific steam engine

* The Engine 1364 Restoration Project

* Freight train project

* 1921 Northern Pacific NP 642 Mann McCann spreader

* Railroad Memorabilia Show and Swap Meet - Bigger and Better This Year

* Museum Tours in the 1911 Depot

* Engine House Tours

* Railroad Speeder Display and Rides

* Velocipede display

* Food and Fun for All Ages

* Steam Tractor - the Farmer's Locomotive

* The REA Room

* Tri City Model Railroader's HO Layout

"Whistlestop!": Saturday and Sunday, August 23, 2008, 1:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. Cajon, country and bluegrass festival will be held in Railroad Park next to the depot. Sponsored by the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Yakima's Capital Theater, there will be professional groups performing throughout the day and evening. There will be food, drink and a beer tent. Bring the family for a wonderful day of music and see the museum while you are here. Visit the museum, ride the caboose and visit our new concession caboose.

Haunted Train/Pumpkin Runs: October 24, 25, 26 and October 29, 30, 31, 2008 details to be announced. Watch for further details.

Toy Train Christmas at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum: Saturdays November 29, December 6, 13 & 20, 2008, 10 AM - 4 PM, Sundays, December 14 & 21, 2008 1:00-4:00 PM. Take a short train ride in the caboose to see Santa Claus.

Operating toy trains around decorated Christmas trees, hot chocolate and cookies. Photographs with Santa Claus will be printed on site for extra charge. Sponsored in conjunction with the members of the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce. A toy train raffle will be held each weekend Adults $6.00, Children $4.00.

For more reading on the Northern Pacific you might want to consider the book Northern Pacific Railway Photo Archive by John Kelly. The author gives a superb pictorial history of the railroad from the 1930s through the 1960s and features both freight and passenger operations If you have any kind of an interest in the Northern Pacific you are sure to enjoy Sullivan's book.

Also, consider the book The Vista-Dome North Coast Limited: The Story of the Northern Pacific Railway's Famous Domeliner by author William Kuebler, Jr. The book is over 300 pages and highlights the Northern Pacific's passenger operations, particularly its famous North Coast Limited flagship train.