Washington Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides In Chehalis!

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, based in Chehalis, Washington, is one of those heritage lines that feels tailor-made for an evening of railroading, nostalgia, and a bit of theater. The museum utilizes roughly 10 miles of former Milwaukee Road trackage that once reached as far south as Portland, the railroad offers seasonal excursions that showcase both the scenic upper Chehalis River Valley and a small but evocative collection of historic equipment.

A Short History in the Chehalis Valley

The route itself traces back to the early 20th century, when the Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Railway pushed rails through the farmland and timber country of Lewis County around 1914. These tracks later formed part of the Milwaukee Road’s network in western Washington, linking small towns and lumber operations to bigger markets.

By the 1980s, mainline railroads were cutting back on marginal branches, and local volunteers saw an opportunity to save at least a portion of the line for excursion use.  In the Milwaukee Road's case the company had given up on its western operations entirely by 1980 and the lines that remained were either sold or abandoned.

The Chehalis–Centralia Railroad began operating in 1986, offering short scenic trips out of a modest depot on SW Sylvenus Street.  From the start, the excursion’s big star was steam locomotive No. 15, a 2-8-2 “Mikado” built by Baldwin in 1916. Originally a logging engine for the Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade Railroad, No. 15 represented the kind of heavy steam power that once wrestled logs and freight through the Pacific Northwest.

Over time, the organization added vintage 1920s coaches, a classic depot scene, and a small museum presence, gradually building itself into a local attraction that drew families, railfans, and tourists. Excursions typically covered an 18-mile round trip through the Chehalis River valley, crossing wooden trestles and passing pastoral farms—a relaxed, low-key ride that emphasized scenery and the sights and sounds of traditional railroading.

Like many heritage lines, the railroad has weathered its share of setbacks. In recent years, insurance issues and infrastructure concerns forced a temporary suspension of operations, but volunteers and partners rallied to restore the line. By 2024, excursions had resumed under a joint operating agreement with Goose Lake Railway, with diesel locomotive No. 6 handling most trains while work continues on the steam locomotive.