In December 2002 the Society chose a 30-acre parcel of land two miles West of Reardan as its new museum location. Developing a new museum and moving a collection of this size is a monumental project that necessitates extensive site development and installing enough track to relocate and display equipment at the new location.
 

The Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad (Now the Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad) gave permission to install a switch and siding adjacent to the new site that will enable the group to move its collection of equipment by rail from Spokane. A crossing on Sunset Highway was installed in the summer of 2010, joining a spur from a switch off the EWGR onto the new Reardan property. Laying of display tracks was an ongoing project throughout 2011.

Summer 2011 found the group developing a location on the site for placement of a donated Union Pacific turntable to be transported from Spokane by rail. Few rail museums have such an asset, which will also be one of our largest railroad artifacts. Warmer weather also allowed a great deal of infrastructure to be completed, including a well, sewer and electricity.

Plans for the museum facilities, a reproduction of the historic Reardan railroad station designed to house displays, library and visitor center, as well as a shop building for ongoing maintenance and restoration, have been developed. An engineering study for the property has also been completed.

Developing a project of this magnitude from the ground up is a gigantic undertaking for a relatively small group of volunteer railroad enthusiasts. Our success depends on the ongoing efforts of our members, and the support of the citizens of Reardan, Lincoln County, the Inland Northwest, and the State of Washington.

Please consider joining us on this exciting journey by becoming a member of the Friends of the Inland Northwest Rail Museum or making a tax-deductible donation to the museum project.