Ride the old time passenger train
Board the passenger cars that have been in continuous operation for over 100 years. Take a ride through rural America. Enjoy your red plush seat in a Pullman Company car that was on hand for the grand opening of Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan when Robert Todd Lincoln was still president of that premiere passenger car builder. Experience the cars that came west, entering transcontinental coach service for the Northern Pacific Railway. Their distinguished careers encompassed the last military call up moved entirely by rail, transporting reserves from Minnesota and Wisconsin to Fort Lewis during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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Youngsters are welcome to explore engine 1070, the last steam locomotive retired from the Northern Pacific. 1070 had the distinction of operating in every decade of the 20th century, a record of durability that is a testimonial associated with this steam locomotive that is virtually unmatched anywhere.
The Lake Whatcom Railway is a dedicated living preservation of America's grand railway heritage. Rides begin at Wickersham, a small town on Highway 9 between Sedro Woolley and Deming. Click on our "Buy Tickets" heading to learn about special events and rides throughout the year.
​When 1070 turned train 422 at Hoquiam on February 18, 1956 for its return trip to Seattle, it signaled the end of scheduled passenger service on Northern Pacific branch lines in the northwest. It also began a chain of events that resulted in the formation of the Lake Whatcom Railway.
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Carol Cornish and friends recognized what was happening and began 15 years of Casey Jones Excursions on the Northern Pacific Railway. These popular trains would travel branch lines and mainlines all over western Washington, and people would sign up just to go for a train ride. The destination didn't matter. The authentic passenger local of the Northern Pacific Railway is the proud tradition of the Lake Whatcom Railway. All of our coaches were used on the Casey Jones Excursions.