Great Northern & Cascade Railway

Ankur Rajput

2024-05

Nestled in a quaint small town lies a hidden gem for kids: a charming destination offering free rides on a meticulously crafted train track route. Operated entirely by volunteers, this place provides joyous experiences for children, urging visitors to donate in support of these free rides. Surrounded by local coffee shops serving delightful brews, and situated alongside a picturesque river with mountains on both sides, it's a perfect spot to unwind and recharge.With ample parking and a kid-friendly atmosphere, it's a must-add to your travel itinerary, whether you're headed towards Stevens Pass or Leavenworth. Discover this oasis of fun and relaxation, where every ride is a journey filled with excitement and wonder for the little ones.

LOLLISA

2023-10

This was sooooo much fun. My kiddos loved it and I had lots of fun too. The track is pretty large and it even goes through a tunnel. You can ride it as much as you want. Everyone was so nice. I can’t believe it’s free. Please donate so they can keep running the place!! This is definitely a must stop on our way to Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth.

Dustin Golding

2023-05

If you're a train enthusiast, have kids with you, or just want to experience the joy of a miniature train this place is a must.My family visited and my kids loved it. Even while we were waiting a train passed in the full size tracks nearby and my kids were excited to see it from fairly up close.The staff were friendly and the ride was free. There is a small museum with a restroom. Both were clean, and the entire facility matched the theme of a railroad station.

Dot Ava

2022-05

The kids (and I) had a fun time riding the miniature train. The tracks take you through a wooden bridge, through a tunnel, and a couple other features. Nothing extravagant, but fun all the same. There is a gift shop and an adorable museum that, while life sized, is also small in quantity of items. It's entirely run by volunteers, and donations are accepted. There is no charge, and you can ride the train as many times as you like.

Suman B

2022-05

An excellent place located in a spot with nice views of mountains all around, very friendly staff and free train rides. It was awesome and staff encouraged to take as many train rides as you want. Each train ride is around 5 minutes on a mini train. Kids will enjoy it and adults too. Visit the small museum located as it have some items from 1900s.

Anna Williams

2023-10

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Seth Meisel

2023-05

Can't say enough good things about Great Northern & Cascade Railway. This is a free volunteer organization that relies on Donations. our whole family rode on the 8th scale railroad that has a track through the train depot yard in downtown Skykomish. you kind of straddle the train cars and it was safe for our 2 year old. The driver let my older son help switch the train track and was great with all our kids! The experience was so good I made sure to donate for what I thought it was worth! I loved how it went through mini tunnels and bridges!

Rebecca Melum

2023-08

My son loves trains, so riding the ones here is a favorite thing. Rides are free, but for sure plan on leaving a donation or spending money at the gift shop to help them maintain that.People are friendly, trains are cute and fun. Average ride is 11 minutes-so the perfect length...plus we were there when there were not a ton of people, so my son rode the trains over ....and over...abd over. Bring sunscreen and water.

Gemsofthewild

2023-05

For the last 5 years we have visited the mini train in Skykomish, WA. **May-Oct** Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm they have mini train rides, adults that means you too! Hop on and enjoy a ride with your family. The sweetest guys volunteer here and are so helpful when the kids want to ask questions or get just as excited as them about the trains. Feel free to leave them a donation or stop into their Great Northern & Cascade Railway store for a gift.

Jesse Card

2020-05

What a great time! The volunteers had provided the engines for the rides and you could tell their dedication and attention to detail. One of the engines was a real coal-fired steam engine (complete with coal dust in your eyes and hair), an electric steam style engine, and a real diesel engine.The gift shop was nice and warm with a good collection of toys for the kids to both play with and purchase, with a clean bathroom and a selection of refreshments. There were several nice items on display as well as a collection of historic photos.The volunteers were wonderful. They were patient and friendly. They were great at explaining almost everything about the train sets to toddlers, demonstrating the engines, switch tracks, and more.

Super Tax Genius

2023-06

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Amber Wagner

2023-05

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Syed Anwar Ali

2019-05

You don’t have to be a kid to take a train ride in kids train and it is free!!! They do accept donations. People of Skykomish do a great job with preserving the legendary Great Northern railways. If you are on your way to Steven Pass or Leavenworth from Seattle area, don’t forget to stop here. If you have children with you, it would a great treat for them as well as for you.

Mark Pengelly

2020-05

Great place to visit with any train enthusiast. Nice day trip from Seattle area with free rides (small donations encouraged but not required). We plan to join as members which allows options to actually help operate the trains. Great organization highly recommended.

Gee Hood

2023-10

This place is greatfull and joyfull tiny train riding for kids and adults. Its totally free and they run the train based on donation ;)My kids and we loved it

Paulo Rubio

2018-05

Such a friendly atmosphere.Children smiling all aroundBeautiful day to be in a beautiful areaA must stop in Skykomish on your way through the mountains

Grace

2023-10

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Philip Cole

2020-05

Absolutely wonderful! Fun for all ages, and supported by donations, so if your budget is tight, you can still have fun. (However, since they operate on donations and volunteers, if you can afford it, you really should give a generous donation, because it's totally worth it!)

Vinayak Deshpande

2023-11

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Dane Stevenson

2023-09

Great little railroad for kids and adults to ride. They are only open in the weekends but there is no limit to how many times you can ride. Volunteers operate the trains and facilities. Make sure to donate to help their efforts.There is only on restroom at the facility.

Lisa Ackerschott

2023-09

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Nathan Buckley

2023-08

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Felicia Gibson

2023-08

This is a very cute kid friendly activity, we LOVE to stop here and ride the small train with the kids.Really love that someone had this idea and brought it to life!Please donate. The ride is FREE but we always donate to help them.

Chad Gallup

2023-10

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Vic “vic013” E.

2023-05

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Greig Roselli

2022-05

Ronnie does a good job playing the part of museum guide and host. He checks you in at the depot on weekends. Want to ride a replica of a Great Northern train barreling through the Cascade Tunnel? The Skykomish train depot is the place. Tickets are free, and all ages can board. Also — check out the vintage photographs and purchase a book or two about railroad history and learn more about the role of Skykomish in the development of a railroad from Spokane through the Cascade Mountains to the Puget Sound.

Don

2023-05

Stopped here on the way to Leavenworth with our granddaughterand we were so glad we did. Very nostalgic town. Friendly peopleand Kevin and Tom the train guys were great! Enjoyed the museum and I think the coffee shop was the best I've everbeen in! Your kids will absolutely love the train ride! You probably will too. I sure did!

Greg Sadler

2023-11

What an amazing place! We rode all four of the engines running. All the volunteers were awesome and really nice

Chriss B

2023-05

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Elizabeth Rivera

2023-07

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