Last updated 11/25/2005

The Lake Whatcom Railway is north of Seattle, near Bellingham. It is the home of former Northern Pacific 0-6-0 #1070. The #1070 has been removed from service until it can be brought into compliance with FRA regulations.

Number 1070 was built for the NP by Alco at Manchester in February of 1907. The number on the builders plate is: 41879. Originally a coal burner, it was converted to burn oil by the NP. It was sold to Simpson Timber Co. at McCleary WA in 1958, then to a private party in 1959, and sold again to it's present owners in 1962.

With the 1070 out of service, the trains are powered by an Alco S-1 purchased from the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. The Alco was built in 1941 for the Northern Pacific Terminal Company.

Most years, the Lake Whatcom starts regular operations on the first weekend of July. They then operate until the end of August. They usually have holiday and "Santa" trains. Call them to find out what their schedule for this year is.

During the summer, trains depart from Wickersham at 11:00 and 1:00. Fares are $10 for adults, and $5 for children.

The phone number is: 360-595-2218

Lake Whatcom Railway
P.O. Box 91
Acme, WA 98220

They are located 10 miles north of Sedro Woolley on State Highway 9 in the town of Wickersham. They used to run all the way to Lake Whatcom, but I'm told they lost a portion of their trackage to a real estate developer.

0-6-0 #1070 (120K 720x480 jpg)

Here's a side view clearly showing the boiler balanced over the drivers. (110K 768x512 jpg)

Running backwards through Wickersham with the second train of the day. (112K 768x512 jpg)

August 2000 Visit

It'd been a couple of years since my last visit to the Lake Whatcom and in early August of 2000 I took the time to visit them. They actually have an interesting variety of equipment in storage and their passenger cars are former Northern Pacific. Here are some photos from that visit.

Layover near Lake Whatcom.

Former Spokane, Portland & Seattle Caboose #870 at Wickersham.

The stencils on the end say this is a BN "Heater Car". What it is used for at the Lake Whatcom I have no idea. In fact I'm not sure what the BN used it for either. I'm guessing that provided steam heat for passenger coaches and may do the same for winter Santa trains.

A wooden boxcar and Shell Tank car. It looks like the boxcar is used for storage and the Tank stored fuel for the #1070.

This wooden boxcar is used as the Gift Shop.

This turntable bridge is in storage on a Lake Whatcom Railway spur. I've been told that it came from the Milwaukee roundhouse in Bellingham.