Kittitas County Railroad History Assoc.

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Kittitas County Railroad History Assoc.

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Travel through the history of Kittitas County on a
miniature riding railroad at the Ellensburg Rotary Park!
🚂 Friendly to all ages and abilities, coming July 2027

Operated by the Kittitas County Railroad History Association, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit ✨

10/01/2026

Fall is in full swing, and so is our work to bring the Rotary Park Railroad to Ellensburg in 2027! 🥳

In September, the Ellensburg Parks and Recreation Commission’s vote on our track plan was postponed to Wednesday, October 14th at 5:30 pm. This will be a public meeting at the Ellensburg City Hall, and the City Council will review our plans at a later date 🚂

With the full track package secured, school partnerships expanding, and community support growing, KCRHA is preparing for next March track installation by building 300 10 ft track panels this winter 🔨

We remain deeply grateful for the volunteers, donors, civic partners, and educators who are helping bring this historic project to life for Ellensburg and all of Kittitas County! 👏

📲 To learn more about our 501(C)(3) organization or to donate to our project, please visit KCRailroadHistory.org

09/08/2026

September is shaping up to be an exciting month for the Rotary Park Railroad! 🚂

Our first shipment of 3,000 feet of track has been delivered, and we anticipate beginning assembly of approximately 300 ten-foot track panels in mid-September ✨

This month we will continue to connect with local school districts, clubs, and organizations to bring our vision to life

Every meeting, partnership, donation, and helping hand brings us one step closer to making the Rotary Park Railroad a reality. We’re grateful for everyone who continues to believe in this vision and help us build our history for the future 🎉

➡️ To learn more about the Kittitas County Railroad History Association or to donate to our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please visit KCRailroadHistory.org

08/04/2026

August is going to be a busy month for us, and we could use your help! 📣

Please join us at the August 12th meeting of the Ellensburg Parks & Recreation Commission; our revised Rotary Park track plan will be formally presented and voted on. If approved, the plan moves to the Ellensburg City Council for final authorization, clearing the way for full construction of the Rotary Park Railroad 🚂

This is a public meeting, and everyone is welcome. If you sign up to speak, you’ll have 3 minutes during the public comment period 🎉 Jim Pendley or Ron Parga are happy to help you shape your message. Every voice counts!

📆 Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 pm
📍 Ellensburg City Hall

We’re also grateful for KCRHA Director Scott Brons, who has begun constructing railroad log and wood chip cars for Rotary Park! 🪵🔨

➡️ To learn more about the Kittitas County Railroad History Association or to donate to our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please visit www.KCRailroadHistory.org

Thank you for your support! 💜

07/13/2026

Our riding railroad project continues to gain momentum, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support from our community! 🥳🚂

A huge thank you Easton School District and Thorp School District for partnering with us to create historical depot models representing their communities for the future railroad 🔨 We can’t wait to see these come to life!

We’re also working alongside Ellensburg Parks & Recreation to refine and expand our track plans, ensuring they meet regulations while creating the best possible experience for future riders 👏

There are more connections happening behind the scenes that we are thrilled to share soon. Operations are currently scheduled to begin in July 2027! 🎉

📲 If you’d like to learn more about this free, accessible, family-friendly activity being added to Rotary Park in Ellensburg, please visit www.KCRailroadHistory.org and follow our social media for updates!

06/25/2026

Meet Jason Babila, BNSF Hyrail Boom Truck Operator assigned to the Ellensburg Maintenance of Way gang, with 21 years of service at BNSF. Jason has also joined the KCRHA team and will be volunteering to help manage our 7½‑inch gauge track construction gang at Rotary Park.
It doesn’t get much more real than that.
Thank you, Jason!

02/27/2026

🛤️ Kittitas County Railroad History Association Launches Student Pilot Project
At about noon yesterday, the Kittitas County Railroad History Association (KCRHA) delivered an unfinished 1/8‑scale replica of Easton's historic Northern Pacific depot to Easton High School. The model will serve as the centerpiece of a new pilot program designed to gauge student interest in helping complete the depot’s construction.

Once finished, the replica is planned for permanent display at Rotary Park, offering the community a detailed look at a key piece of local railroad history.

If the Easton pilot proves successful, KCRHA intends to expand the program by partnering with woodshop classes in high schools across Kittitas County. Each school would have the opportunity to help complete a replica of the depot that once stood in their own town, creating a countywide collaborative effort to preserve and celebrate local railroad heritage.
Also added here is Ellensburg's first depot the KCRHA built that will also be placed at Rotary Park

01/27/2026

Organizational Progress & Current Grant Status
The Kittitas County Railroad History Association has reached an important milestone with the award of a $10,000 Parks Partnership Grant from the Ellensburg Parks & Recreation Commission. This investment not only advances construction of the riding railroad at Rotary Park, it also strengthens our standing for future funding opportunities by demonstrating strong local commitment.

Our project continues to benefit from broad community support. Formal letters of endorsement have been received from:

Kittitas County Board of Commissioners

Ellensburg Mayor Rich Elliott and the City Council

Ellensburg City Manager Heidi Behrends Cerniwey

Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce

National Railway Historical Society

These endorsements will accompany future grant submissions and reflect the region’s unified backing of this youth‑focused, heritage‑based public project.

A building permit to build 2800 feet of railroad track has been submitted to the Community Development Department Jan 18 2026.
Further updates will be posted here

Jim Pendley, CEO, 1/8th Scale buildings and Structures

Address

Ellensburg, WA
98926

Website

http://www.KCRailroadHistory.com/, http://www.KCRailroadHistory.com/Donate

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