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RyPN Briefs March 25, 2008
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White River Valley Museum Celebrates Trains with Lecture, Exhibit

AUBURN, Wash. – The White River Valley Museum celebrates the railways that caused the growth of many towns in the Pacific Northwest before and during the rise of the automobile with a series of events, including a railroad lecture on April 4 and the exhibit "Passenger Trains of Puget Sound, 1900 to 1970" that runs until April 27.

Join Mark W. Meyer, manager of locomotive utilization at Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway's North Operations, for a museum open house and railroad lecture on April 4, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The open house is 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. followed by the lecture and a slideshow from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children and seniors.

Meyer's discussion will start with present-day operations and locomotive requirements on the east end of the former Northern Pacific. He will then move west from the Twin Cities and Twin Ports covering Dilworth, Mandan, Glendive, Forsyth, Laurel, BNSF trains on Montana Rail Link, Spokane, Pasco, Seattle/Tacoma and Portland.

Meyer began his career at Burlington Northern Railroad as an extra telegrapher during the summer of 1975. He has worked for Burlington Northern and its successor, BNSF Railway, since 1977. His current locomotive utilization position includes most of the former Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and Spokane, Portland and Seattle railways.

"Passenger Trains of Puget Sound, 1900 to 1970" is a collection of historic photos, timetables, dining car memorabilia, advertisements, uniforms and other artifacts from the days when everyone traveled by train, courtesy of local author, photographer and Burlington Northern retiree Jim Fredrickson. Many of the historic images displayed in the exhibit were taken by Fredrickson during his lengthy railroad career.

For more information about exhibits and events, contact the White River Valley Museum at 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org.

About the White River Valley Museum

The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on local Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railroad.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is located at 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Regular hours are noon – 4 p.m. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for event information.