Washington "The Polar Express" Train Rides In Chehalis!

Published: November 10, 2025

Set where the Chehalis and Newaukum rivers weave through the heart of Lewis County, Washington, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum (CCRM) has long been one of the Pacific Northwest’s most endearing heritage railroads.

More than a tourist outing, CCRM is a community-built bridge to the region’s logging and railroading past—kept alive by volunteers, restored equipment, and a shared love of the sights, sounds, and smells of historic trains.

During select dates in November and December the museum hosts official "The Polar Express" train rides, retelling Chris Van Allsburg’s book and the Warner Bros. film.

Origins: Timber, Short Lines, And A Preservation Vision

The story begins in the early 20th century, when Southwestern Washington pulsed with timber. Railroads were the arteries of the logging industry, hauling logs and finished lumber from the forests to mills and markets.

Among the local carriers was the Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade (CC&C) Railroad, which connected Chehalis with outlying timberlands and small communities. Though the timber boom ebbed and truck transport rose, the memory of these lines and their hardworking locomotives lingered.

Fast forward to the late 20th century: local rail enthusiasts, civic leaders, and preservationists recognized that the Chehalis Valley’s rail heritage deserved a living home.

They formed what became the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, a nonprofit with a dual mission: preserve representative equipment and experiences from the logging railroad era, and provide the public with authentic, educational excursions. Volunteers rehabilitated track, acquired historic rolling stock, and began restoring a signature steam locomotive that would become the face of the railroad.

The Steam Star: 2-8-2 No. 15

The pride of CCRM’s collection is steam locomotive No. 15, a classic Baldwin-built 2-8-2 “Mikado” that was completed in 1916 for the CC&C. Logging railroads in the Northwest favored Mikados for their balance of tractive power and flexibility on curvy, lightly built lines, and No. 15 is a strong example of the type.

Restored to operation by CCRM’s volunteers, No. 15 powered countless summer and fall excursions through the Chehalis River Valley, its stack talk echoing across farmlands and riverbanks while passengers rode in vintage coaches and open-air cars fashioned from historic flatcars.

Beyond the romance, No. 15 embodies the grit of preservation: endless hours of boiler work, running gear maintenance, and Federal Railroad Administration compliance.

Like all working steam locomotives in the U.S., No. 15 must undergo a comprehensive 1,472-service-day/15-year inspection and overhaul. In recent years, the locomotive has been out of service for major work—an expensive, technical, and painstaking process. Fundraising campaigns and volunteer labor have driven the effort, reflecting just how much the region values keeping steam alive.

Diesel Power and the Working Collection

When steam is down for maintenance, heritage railroads rely on diesel power to keep the experience moving—and CCRM is no exception.

In the museum's case they typically rely on a 65-ton switcher, #6, built by General Electric in 1941 for the U.S. Navy as #65-00606.

Together with the locomotives, CCRM’s rolling stock includes enclosed coaches and open-air cars (popular for photography and summer breezes), as well as maintenance-of-way equipment.

The museum side of the operation houses smaller artifacts, interpretive displays, and photography that deepen the narrative: the timber camps, mill towns, and railroaders who shaped the region.

The Route: A Window On a River Valley

CCRM’s excursions traditionally operate over an approximately 10-mile round trip through the Chehalis River Valley. Passengers depart near the historic depot in Chehalis and roll past pastureland, stands of alder and fir, and the namesake river—an easygoing ride that’s as much about slowing down as it is about railroading. Some trains have featured dinner or wine-and-cheese service, while others are family-oriented outings with onboard narration about local history and natural features.

Weather, funding, and the realities of maintaining a historic railroad mean the schedule has varied over the years. Notably, major flooding events in the Chehalis basin—especially the region-wide floods of 2007 and washouts and infrastructure damage that followed later storms—have disrupted operations and required significant repairs. Each time, community supporters and volunteers have rallied, rebuilding track, trestles, and facilities to bring trains back.

Community Heartbeat: Events, Education, and Volunteers

Heritage railroads thrive on community. CCRM’s volunteer roster includes engineers, conductors, car hosts, mechanics, track workers, and docents who teach visitors about steam technology, signaling, logging, and local history.

Seasonal events bring new audiences aboard: spring and summer sightseeing runs, autumn harvest and pumpkin trains, and wintertime holiday rides. Educational charters have introduced school groups to STEAM concepts—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math—through the prism of steam and steel.

Challenges and Resilience in the Present Day

Running a historic railroad is never simple. Insurance costs, regulatory compliance, specialized parts for century-old machinery, and the constant battle with Pacific Northwest weather all add complexity. In recent years, CCRM faced extended interruptions due to storm damage and the extensive overhaul needs of No. 15.

At times, operations have shifted to shorter runs, static events at the depot, or diesel-powered outings while fundraising and repair work progressed behind the scenes.

The Polar Express

The official “The Polar Express” train ride is a licensed, immersive holiday event staged by heritage railroads and railway museums each November and December.

Inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s book and the Warner Bros. film, these nighttime excursions pair vintage coaches with festive décor, music, and theatrical performances.

Passengers are encouraged to wear pajamas as costumed chefs serve hot chocolate and cookies, conductors punch golden tickets, and storytellers bring the narrative to life en route to a twinkling “North Pole” tableau.

At the turnaround, Santa boards to greet every car and present the signature sleigh bell, often with photo opportunities and sing‑alongs on the return. Trips typically run 60–90 minutes and operate in most weather.

The Chehalis Centralia Railroad hosts these trips every weekend from November 10th through December 21st. There are various classes of seating available ranging from standard coach to First Class Parlor and First Class Diner. To learn more and purchasing tickets please click here to visit the museum's website.

A Living Legacy

The museum endures because people in the Chehalis–Centralia community—and well beyond—believe that history should be lived, not just looked at.

Whether it’s the thunder of a Mikado climbing out of town, the low hum of a vintage diesel along the river, or a child’s first wave to a passing engineer, CCRM offers moments that connect generations.

With every tie replaced, every staybolt inspected, and every ticket punched, the museum keeps the region’s rail heritage rolling into the future.

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