Cascade Rail Foundation - Remembering the Milwaukee Road in Washington

Before and After Renovation!

After many volunteer hours of renovation, the South Cle Elum Depot re-opened its doors in 2006.

Back in its heyday in the 1920s

The South Cle Elum Depot as seen from the south, with the substation and rail yard.

5057 Project

Learn about our plans to bring a Milwaukee Road locomotive back to the South Cle Elum Rail Yard

Milwaukee Road Electrification

Once the world's longest railroad electrification system

We are working to ensure the fascinating history of the Milwaukee Road in Washington is not forgotten

Visit our digital archive website!

Researching the history of the Milwaukee Road? You can visit our Archive website to view Milwaukee Road-related documents and photos from our collections.

Virtual Historical Tour – Cedar Falls to Plummer

This is a virtual tour of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, exploring the history along the route starting at Cedar Falls, WA and ending past the east end of the trail in Plummer, ID.

Museum Day – Saturday, August 8

Join us on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM for a fun Museum Day celebration at the South Cle Elum Rail Yard. This year’s event is extra special as we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!

Welcome Division Point Coffee and Crepes!

The Division Point Coffee and Crepes team with CRF Board members Jonathan Fischer and Mary Pittis.

We are very happy to announce that we have a new tenant in the depot! Division Point Coffee Bar and Crepes is a new, family-owned coffee bar in the space formerly occupied by the barbecue restaurant.

Ralston Signal Project Update

John Bjorklund photo of the signals at the east end of the Ralston siding.

With the installation of the restored signal at Ralston, we’re close to finishing this project!

5057 Open House – Saturday, May 30

Milwaukee Road 5057 outside the Columbia Rail shop in Richland, WA on May 30, 2026

We held another 5057 open house for donors on Saturday, May 30, at the Columbia Rail shop in Richland, WA. The locomotive was placed outside so it could be viewed in the sunshine.

Rail Yard Work Party – May 9

Volunteer posing with brush piles in the South Cle Elum Rail Yard

Celebrate National Train Day with us! We will have a work party at the South Cle Elum Rail Yard from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.

FIXED – research website

Our replacement research website is now online It will take some time to restore the files from the old site. If there is something you need, please let us know, and we will prioritize it.

2025 Annual Meeting – December 6

2025 Annual meeting presentation title slide

Our annual meeting will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. PT. We will review our progress and updates from 2025 and discuss our plans for 2026 and beyond.

5057 work restarts!

A view showing the front of the 5057 locomotive in the Columbia Rail shop.

Work on the cosmetic restoration of the 5057 is resuming now that we have finalized a contract with Columbia Rail.

5057 Open House – Saturday, October 11

Group photo at the 5057 open house in October 2025

We held an open house at the Columbia Rail shop in Richland, WA, so that people could see the 5057 up close.

Bridge Day at Rosalia – October 4

2019 Bridge Day attendees out on the trail for the history hike

Join us for Bridge Day in Rosalia, WA, on Saturday, October 4. This free event will feature a railroad history presentation at the Rosalia Community Center (106 W. Seventh Street, Rosalia, 99170, just off Whitman Avenue, Rosalia’s main street).