Magic, mystery and “managed mischief” will abound in Chehalis the first two days of October when the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum’s 1920s coach cars transform into the “School of Wizardry Express.”
Magician Jeff Evans will serve as the train’s headmaster, teaching “mystic arts” while aspiring wizards prove their prowess and boast their best at trivia and adventure games.
“This new adventure is pulling out all the stops with fun and festivities for everyone,” the Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum (CCRM) said in a news release.
The School of Wizardry Express will run for six 90-minute performances, with shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2.
Attendees can gear up for the adventure with treats and “to-die-for trinkets” at the depot’s market place prior to boarding the train.
The experience is recommended for those 8 years old and up. Children ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Attendees are encouraged to “get in the spirit and be part of the atmosphere” by dressing up in their best wizarding attire, such as cloaks and wizard hats.
Tickets are $30 per person, with all proceeds supporting ongoing repairs of flood damage CCRM’s tracks sustained in January.
CCRM shut down all revenue-generating passenger rail operations in early March after it lost its liability insurance coverage.
With a mile and a half of track still unusable due to flood damage sustained in January, CCRM is waiting until track repairs are complete to reapply for insurance that would allow it to resume revenue-generating passenger rail service, according to CCRM President Mary Kay Nelson.
CCRM did obtain premises-liability insurance in early April, which allowed railroad workers to return to the site and allows CCRM to hold fundraising events at and around the depot, so long as the trains aren’t moving.
CCRM’s goal is to have everything in place to resume passenger operations in time to start running the Pumpkin Train on Oct. 15, said Nelson.
Tickets for the “School of Wizardry Express” are available online at SteamTrainRide.com and are limited to 100 seats per show.
