| Chehalis–Centralia Railroad | |
| Terminus: | Chehalis |
| Coordinates: | 46.6525°N -122.9769°W |
| Builtby: | Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Railway |
| Operator: | Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Museum |
| Stations: | 1 |
| Originalopen: | 1986 |
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The Chehalis–Centralia Railroad (CHTX) is a heritage railroad based in Chehalis, Washington.
The No. 15, a 2-8-2 steam locomotive built by Baldwin in 1916, travels over a 10-mile section of former Milwaukee Road track. The route was originally built by the Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Railway in 1914[1] and the train engine operated by the Cowlitz, Chehalis, & Cascade Railroad. The rail course winds through scenic hills, farmland, and over several wooden trestles above the Chehalis River, along with various tributary streams including the Newaukum River.
Operations, overseen by the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Museum, were suspended indefinitely in 2022 due to insurance issues but were resumed a year later under agreement with Goose Lake Railway.
The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad (CCR) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1986 by Chehalis citizens inspired by a visit to Chehalis by the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. The organization removed No. 15, known locally as the "Old Lady",[2] from Recreation Park in Chehalis, where it had been on display for over 30 years, and brought it to the Mt. Rainier shops in Mineral, Washington, for restoration. Work on the locomotive was completed in 1989 and the railroad started operations later that year over the ex-Milwaukee Road, a Weyerhaeuser Timber Company-owned track. The Port of Chehalis, in 1996, helped purchase the rail tracks from Weyerhauser for the CCR via a $420,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).[3]
Due to the December 2007 floods, the railroad sustained significant damage. The right-of-way was restored due in part to volunteer efforts.
In early 2019, the #15 was found to have major boiler damage and could no longer be steamed safely and it was out of service for several years. Repairs were expected to be completed by mid-to-late 2021 but severe washouts to the rail lines in February 2022 hampered the efforts.[4] Funding to restore the line was requested from FEMA and the SBA. The funding was granted, and a complete restoration and overhaul of the line was completed in mid-2023. During this period of time, major work was completed both on the line and in the yard that had been deferred for years. This included a complete re tamp and regulation of the rail line, over 1,000 ties replaced, and cosmetic restoration of the depot and engine #6. Restoration of Locomotive 15 was suspended due to lack of funding but resumed thanks to state legislation. After an evaluation of two steam locomotives at the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Museum (CCRM) in 2024, restorations were estimated to cost $1.0 million per engine. The CCRM announced that their collection of 600-series rail cars were also undergoing renovations and new trips, including a ride to the Willapa Hills, were planned.[5]
Operations and excursions of the railroad are overseen by the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Museum (CCRM). The museum lost its liability insurance coverage in 2022 to operate the "excursion stream train" due to financial losses stemming from two collision accidents.[6] The museum reopened in 2023 and made repairs to the tracks and the train engine. That same year, a partnership contract with the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad to begin joint operations on the CCRM rail lines did not materialize, but CCRM reached a joint operating agreement with Goose Lake Railway.[7] [8] Train rides began again in April 2024.[9]
In 2006, the railroad reported a record 10,250 riders.[10] By July 2024, months after the restart of operations, the CCRM reported earnings above $112,000 and counted over 3,800 passengers.[11]
The heritage railroad provides an 18miles round-trip that courses through the Chehalis River valley. Separate excursion rides are provided for exclusively for children in the local school district or are members of the regional Boys & Girls Clubs of America., other rides include a variety of themed trips such as a dinner murder mystery or escape room excursions, or holiday and film-themed outings.[11]
The CCRM has hosted, since 2012, a quickly sold-out Christmas-themed Polar Express ride during the winter holiday season, providing refreshments and holiday activities in the course of the hour-long trip.[12]
| Locomotive Number | Road Name | History | Notes | Restoration Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Cowlitz, Chehalis, & Cascade | Nicknamed ‘Ol 15, it first arrived in Washington in 1928, purchased by the Cowlitz, Chehalis and Cascade Railway to transport timber for Washington State’s booming lumber industry. Operating on the Puget Sounds and Cascade Railway in Mt Vernon, WA, its route went through Lewis County, Wa, transporting lumber to local mills and interchanged with the North American network to export logs as well.15 worked in the lumber industry for 30 years, operating out of the old Chehalis Depot location on 3rd St. and Williams Ave in Chehalis, but was retired as the lumber industry changed its needs for transportation.[13] Known as "The Chehalis", this locomotive is owned by the City of Chehalis. | Down for maintenance | ||
| 25 | Cowlitz, Chehalis, & Cascade | The "sister" to #15, #25 or "The Centralia" resided in Fort Borst Park from 1956 till 2007. The 25 was relocated to the CCR&M shop, where it awaits future restoration. There is no current timeline for this, as the Locomotive is missing many parts that will need to be fabricated. This locomotive has been found to be in better condition to #15, and restoration is being looked into. | Awaiting Restoration | ||
| 8 | Rayonier | This is one of several 2-6-6-2T (Tank) Mallets built by Baldwin for Northwest logging railroads. Delivered as #8 in 1924 to Bloedel Donovan Lumber Mills in Alger & Saxon Camp, WA, it is the sole surviving locomotive of its type with square tanks. In 1945, Bloedel Donovan was bought by Rayonier Inc., and #8 was moved to Clallam near Sekiu, WA. It was retired in 1964, at which time it was the last active steam locomotive on the Clallam line. Sold to Peter J. Replinger and Byron Cole, it went into storage in Sekiu. It was moved to Shelton, WA, in 1973 and then, in 2005, to Chehalis. | Stored for Roots of Motive Power, Willits, California | ||
| 6 | Puget Sound Naval Shipyard | A 1965 built General Electric 65 ton switcher unit, The #6 was purchased for $10,000 from the PSNS. It is used for yard switching, and pulls excursions when the #15 is down for maintenance. | Operational | ||
| 9 | Puget Sound Naval Shipyard | A Vulcan Iron Works diesel stored at the CCR&M. It is in good condition, however is inoperable due to a blown traction motor. Due to the scarcity of parts, it is unknown if this locomotive will ever run again. Recently, #9 has been moved to near the top of the restoration list, and an examination is being conducted to determine feasibility. | Blown traction motor, stored. | Unknown | |
| No. 99 | Spokane, Portland & Seattle | The last surviving SP&S business car, the 99 was purchased in 2017 from a private collection in Moses Lake, and moved via the BNSF mainline to the Chehalis yard. The car is in good condition, and is used as premiere seating for excursion runs, and a private dining car for dinner trains. The first run ever made with this car was on March 13, 2020, and was used for crew members. The car had cosmetic damage that was repaired, and the SP&S historical society helped to repaint it in 2021. In August 2021 the car gained HVAC capabilities for the first time in 40 years. Painting of the car was completed in early 2022, and numbering and striping is underway. | Fully restored to pre retirement condition. | Operational | |
| No. 601 | Chehalis-Centralia railroad | 601 is named "City of Chehalis", and is a dining car. The car is used for excursions and dinner trains. | Operational | ||
| No. 602 | Chehalis-Centralia railroad | 602 is the "City of Centralia", and a coach. Used for excursions and dinner trains. | Operational | ||
| No.8 | Unknown | 8 is a MOW crane, and is used for "heavy lifting" around the yard and line. Used mainly for bridge and track work, along with moving items around the yard. | Out of Service |