Cascade Rail Foundation

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.

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

Contact Cascade Rail Foundation

You can visit our Archive web site to see Milwaukee Road-related documents and photos in our collections. To go to our site, click here or on the image below. UPDATE: Our Archive web site is back (with a new address) after being derailed by a software update gone wrong. It is still rough around the edges, but most of the documents are there. Contact us if you need a document from the site that is still missing.

The Milwaukee Road constructed their main line crossing of the Columbia River at Beverly, Washington from 1906 to 1909. This half-mile steel bridge was a major structure that served the railroad well from its opening in 1909 to its final train in 1980. After abandonment, the bridge was purchased by…

May 2019 Rail Yard Work Party

It’s time to get the South Cle Elum Rail Yard looking nice for another summer season. We will be having a work party on Saturday, May 4 from 10 am to 3 pm., working on vegetation maintenance. If you can join us, please RSVP so we can plan the work and contact…

2019 March Milwaukee Meet, March 2, Burien, WA

The annual March Milwaukee Road Meet is a gathering for slides, movies and discussion and socializing. All are welcome! As in the past, this is a free event. Bring your photos, artifacts, models, memorabilia and other items for display. The event is sponsored by Cascade Rail Foundation and the Coast Division of the Milwaukee Road…

Fire at the Iron Horse B&B

The night of Sunday, November 4, the Iron Horse B&B in the former Milwaukee Road bunkhouse at the South Cle Elum Rail Yard caught fire. Fortunately, no one was injured. Fire damage is extensive. The fire destroyed the roof, attic, and the interior of the second floor. The rest of…

2018 Fall Milwaukee Meet – October 27 – Centralia, WA

Cascade Rail Foundation and the Coast Division of the Milwaukee Road Historical Association are sponsoring a free event on Saturday, October 27. We will have several presentations about the history of the Milwaukee Road. This is a great opportunity to socialize with others interested in the history of the railroad. All are…

Rail Yard Walk through History – October 6

Tale a walk through the history of the South Cle Elum Rail Yard with us! State Parks interpretive staff and Cascade Rail Foundation volunteers will be offering informal guided walks through the South Cle Elum Rail Yard on Saturday, October 6 from noon to 4 p.m. We’ll also have the…

2018 Milwaukee Employees Annual Luncheon – October 6

Our eighth annual Milwaukee Employees Annual Luncheon (M.E.A.L.) will be held at the Iron Horse B&B in South Cle Elum on Saturday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The luncheon will be catered by the Iron Horse B&B. The intent of this event is to honor former employees of the railroad, recognizing…

Rosalia Railroad History Presentation and History Hike – October 6

Railroad History Presentation Join us for a railroad history presentation by Bruce Butler at the Rosalia Community Center (located at 106 W. 7th Street, just off Whitman next to the grocery) on Saturday, October 6 at 1 p.m. Mr. Butler grew up in Pullman and has witnessed and photographed trains in…

July 22 Bicycle Tour from Snoqualmie Tunnel to Cedar Falls

Sunday, July 22 is your chance to take a bicycle tour on the former Milwaukee Road through Snoqualmie Tunnel and downhill to Cedar Falls near North Bend with fellow Milwaukee Road fans and railroad history enthusiasts. Bicycles (and headlights!) will be provided as part of the tour. This tour is…

Milwaukee Road book author event

Dale Jones, author of the recently published book “The Milwaukee Connection Spokane to Butte”, will be at Page 2 Books in Burien, WA on Saturday, July 21 at 1:30 PM to talk to fellow rail enthusiasts and sign copies of his books.