PLEASE NOTE: The Steam Locomotive #15 repairs are underway. No date has yet been set to return the locomotive to service. Our Diesel Engine #6 will pull the train on excursions until such time as our Steam Engine is repaired.

Safety precautions and health guidelines are in place for the benefit of both crew members and our passengers. 

Chehalis Centralia Railroad

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Q&A

Before you depart

We want you to have the best experience available! Please let us know if you have any questions!

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    Yes, We have accessible/ADA approved facilities on site, near the boarding platform. There are baby changing stations in both men and women’s area. The restroom facilities on board the train are limited to a small porta potty and sink. It is not ADA equipped.

    It is our policy to leave no later than 5 minutes past scheduled departure. Boarding takes place 15 minutes prior to departure. Please plan accordingly, and anticipate traffic delays on I-5. We are only 2 miles off of I-5 at exit 77. If you expect to be delayed, but feel you may be within the 5 minute allowed, please call us, 360-748-9593 and we will announce the delay to the seated passengers. We do not guarantee seating after the allowed 5 minutes in order to keep our schedule throughout the day/evening.

    The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum (CCR&M) reserves the right to operate trains at its convenience and may cancel, postpone or substitute equipment for any event due to adverse weather, dangerous conditions, equipment failure or any other situation beyond its reasonable control. Refunds will be made at the discretion of CCR&M. Handling fees are not refundable.

    It depends on the size of the wheelchair. We have a safe, accessible ramp to the boarding platform and there are no steps to access the train. The width of the chair is the challenge. A small wheelchair can negotiate the tight corners to the seating area. A wide chair cannot. We have an appropriate size chair that they are welcome to transfer to, if that is possible. We can accommodate rolling walkers and rollators. If in doubt, please contact our ticket agent.

    Holiday trains do not have wheelchair/walker accessibility. Guests may leave walker/wheelchair in the depot before boarding. The width of the train doorways and aisles prohibit us from accommodating wheelchairs/walkers.

    The journey on the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad travels west through the Chehalis River Valley. It is a round trip excursion, traveling to and from on the same route. The Riverside Ride to Milburn Ruth, which is a former rail-stop, is 9 miles (18 miles RT) and lasts about 2 hours. The longer run, which is for the dinner trains, goes to Ruth (another former rail-stop). The excursion will travel along the banks of the Chehalis River through agricultural land and forested countryside. There is no final destination point other than the scenic trestle over the river. There is no opportunity to disembark the train during the journey. The engine pulls the train out and does a “run around” to pull the train back in.

    There are a variety of options depending on the excursion you are on. The regular runs offer both inside and outside seating. You may move about the train while in motion and experience both. Some of the outside seating is covered, but most is not.  During the Dinner Train excursions, the seating is at a table for four (parties of 2 may be seated with another party). During special events, we use all available reserved seating and it is first come, first served. The only assigned seating is for Dinner Trains, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ and Santa Holiday Trains. 

    Our SP&S 99 Business Car is climate controlled and seats up to 20 persons. You may enjoy the Dining Room (seats 8), Parlor (seats 6), or our two Staterooms (seats 3).

    Yes, contact us to make reservations for your group. We will work with you to customize and accommodate your needs. Or call 360-748-9593. See our page on Groups and Charters for more details.

    Yes, we have a small train gift shop and small area of displays of train memorabilia.  You are welcome to stop by our depot during business hours. 

    We have a limited supply of snacks at the gift shop that you are welcome to purchase prior to boarding. We have an honor system for water on board the train. There are no concessions on board. You are welcome to bring a box lunch on the train and eat inside or outside on the train.

    The inside coaches are vintage 1920’s era cars. Heating is not an option, so we advise you to dress warmly, and if appropriate you are welcome to bring a blanket for cold weather rides. The windows do open and are the only air conditioning available. The coaches are equipped with a ceiling fan. The outside open cars are not covered. Our SP&S 99 Business Car is climate controlled throughout the year.

    We understand that unplanned situations arise from time to time and could interfere with your plans to travel with us.

    For THE POLAR EXPRESS™, because our trips are date- and time-specific and sell out in advance, we will not be able to transfer a ticket to another date or issue a refund. All sales are final.

    For all other non-Polar events:
    A refund will be given according to the following scale:
    Up to 60 days prior to departure: 100% refund

    59-30 days prior to departure: 50% refund

    29-11 days prior to departure: 25% refund

    10 days or closer to departure: No refund

    Transfers may be allowed if appropriate. The railroad reserves the right to make decisions on a case by case basis.

    Disclaimer: Schedules are adhered to as closely as possible, however the railroad reserves the right to alter schedules and itineraries, and substitute equipment as conditions demand.