CHEHALIS, Wash. — The Chehalis-Central Railroad and Museum remains unable to operate trains because of insurance issues, but it is finding ways to again hold events.
The Centralia Chronicle reports the railroad is holding an “Escape Room Dinner Train” event on five dates beginning July 16, with two sessions each day. Reflecting the railroad’s lack of operating liability insurance, the train will never leave the station.
Railroad and Museum President Mary Kay Nelson said the organization has sold many tickets since announcing the event, which is permissible under the premises liability insurance it obtained in April.
“I’ve got people inquiring about birthday parties and wanting to buy tickets for the Polar Express already, and I can’t sell those tickets, obviously, yet,” Nelson told the Chronicle. “But people are inquiring so I’m glad to have something to offer them. This is a response to the folks to let them know that we’re not going out of business.”
The museum had to shut down all operations in March after insurance brokers declined to renew the insurance allowing it to operate, citing recent claims [see “Accident losses led to end of insurance …,” Trains News Wire, March 10, 2022].
The Escape Room train will be offered July 16 and 30; Aug. 27; Sept. 10; and Oct. 8. A 2 p.m. session each day, which does not include a meal, is $40; the 5 p.m. dinner session is $65. Each session is limited to 52 people.
For more information, visit the Chehalis-Centralia website.
