Getting Skykomish's mini-train on track

The small town of Skykomish is home to the Great Northern and Cascade Railway mini-train, which is nearing the start of its fourth season.

With the upcoming season’s April 30 opening, operations will resume through the last weekend in October. The mini-train will be open 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, as well as holidays. Though the approaching season has new features and is looking to be the best summer yet, volunteers are vital to the preparation process.

Those willing to volunteer their time would start immediately, working 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to attending work parties.

Kevin Weiderstrom, who championed the mini-train, lists some of the volunteer duties as, “landscaping, loading passengers onto the trains, overseeing and directing the public and renovating the engine shed.” The engine shed is in need of new siding and some electrical work; volunteers would assist Weiderstrom and other professionals to improve its current state.

The Great Northern and Cascade Railway mini-train took its first passengers around the Skykomish Town Center on May 4, 2013. While the little railroad was constructed with the initial financial help from Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF), King County-based nonprofit organization 4Culture and other smaller grants, all other expenses have been funded by the passengers themselves. While passengers are welcome to ride the mini-train free of cost, donations have always been greatly appreciated. These donations are used for track expansion, landscaping and train maintenance.

Weiderstrom has brought to life the idea he and former mayor Fred Black thought up together years ago. When Skykomish began leasing the rail yard, Weiderstrom proposed having a mini-train. With the help of volunteers and supportive community members, Weiderstrom’s idea became a reality. In comparison to a full-size train, the handcrafted mini-train is one-eighth the size of an actual locomotive. Because the mini-train sits in the rail yard near the full-sized railroad, the comparison is easy to make.

With this relatively new mini-train in operation, more and more visitors are coming into Skykomish. Roughly 7,000 people came to town to ride the mini-train last year’s season. This tourist attraction brings business to the small town and entertainment for those of all ages, near and far. Weiderstrom said he’s met visitors from Europe, Mexico, Canada and as far within the United States as Florida.

For the upcoming season, an interesting new feature will be a passing track, where two trains can operate at the same time. One train will set off on its journey around the track and then, with the assistance of a timer, the second train will be able to depart. The passing track allows the trains to pass by each other, serving more passengers in a shorter time. In addition to this new add-on is a 1,000-foot track expansion, for a total track length of 4,000 feet.

This mini-train project has brought fun and excitement to the Sky Valley for the past three summers. A great deal of labor went into the construction, and volunteer support has acted as the backbone of the project.

“Volunteer support is everything,” Weiderstrom said. “Without the help of volunteers, this incredible project would cease to exist.”

Those interested in volunteering to make the fourth season of the Great Northern and Cascade Railway mini-train the best one yet can contact Weiderstrom at 425-231-8797 or kevinweiderstrom@gmail.com.