The Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish, WA: A Great Little Museum

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Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish, WA

The Northern Pacific Railway Museum is located in Toppenish, WA, in an area bounded by S Toppenish Ave, Asotin Ave and E 2nd Ave. It is operated by the Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum Association.

The site includes what was once the Toppenish Northern Pacific Railroad depot, which now houses many exhibits related to the railroad. During the Northern Pacific Railway Museum Rail Show held annually in late August, the Tri City Model Railroaders set up a large HO-gauge model railway for public viewing in the building. There is also a model display called Toy Train Christmas in December.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and everyone is very friendly and informative. There is actually considerably more to see and do there than what you see in these photographs. On weekends when the museum is open, there are yard rides. The museum also provides engineer and brakemen training and, every few months, runs work/history weekends in partnership with the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Society.

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Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish

Above, Toppenish depot was built in 1911 shortly after the city was incorporated. Passenger services from the depot ceased in 1961, and the building was closed in 1981.

In 1989, a group of railfans approached the city and BNSF, successor to the NP, about taking over the depot for a museum. The building was leased in 1990 and, after much work to refurbish it, the museum opened on 4th July 1992.

Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Toppenish

The BNSF line runs right by.

It's not particularly busy but, if you're lucky, you'll see some railway action (I didn't!).

NP #1364
Northern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway Museum
Northern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific S-4 1364, Northern Pacific Railway Museum

S-4 #1364 was built for the NP in 1902 by Baldwin as a Vauclain compound. It was later simplified, and retired in 1954 when it was donated to the City of Tacoma, WA. Acquired by the museum in 1993, it is being restored in the old NP freight house, which has been converted into an engine house.

#1364 is a Ten Wheeler (4-6-0) weighing 194,850 lbs, with 63" drivers and 21" x 30" cylinders. With a 49.7 sq ft grate and total heating surface of 2,732 sq ft, including 485 sq ft superheating, it operated at 200 psi boiler pressure delivering 35,700 lbs tractive effort.

NP #2152
Northern Pacific Q-3 2152, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific Q-3 2152, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific Q-3 2152, Northern Pacific Railway MuseumNorthern Pacific Q-3 2152, Northern Pacific Railway Museum
Northern Pacific Q-3 2152, Northern Pacific Railway Museum

Q-3 #2152 was built for the NP in 1909 by Baldwin. It was retired in 1958 and donated to the City of Auburn, WA. The museum purchased the locomotive in 2006.

#2152 is a Pacific type (4-6-2) and stands on a purpose-built spur in the yard. As soon as work on restoring #1364 is finished, the museum plans to move #2152 into the engine room to begin restoration.

#2152 weighs 236,000 lbs, and has a 242 sq ft firebox and 43.5 sq ft grate. The drivers are 69" and the cylinders are 22" x 26". The locomotive operated at a boiler pressure of 200 psi and delivered 31,004 lbs tractive effort.

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