Spirit of Washington Dinner Train closes

The station may be closed for good to those who had hoped to ride the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train into Snohomish County.

The train’s best hope — perhaps its only hope — for long-term survival was to move north where it would run from Woodinville to Snohomish, Eric Temple, owner of the railroad, said Monday.

That dream now appears stalled — perhaps permanently — and the train has ceased operations in Tacoma.

In what was hoped would be a temporary move, the train in August moved to Tacoma because its usual route along tracks through King County’s east side were closed so I-405 could be expanded.

Some hoped King County would buy the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks from Snohomish to Renton and allow the dinner train to travel from Woodinville to Snohomish. However, negotiations for the tracks have stalled.

“Until there is a deal possible from Woodinville to Snohomish, there’s nothing we can do,” Temple said. “The problem in Tacoma is we’re burning through the money. I’m unwilling to spend more money to prop it up (there).”

He said ticket revenue has fallen by 25 percent and that the cost of operating the dinner train has shot up.

Fifty people who work in the company’s Renton office were notified on Monday that they were being laid off. Most layoffs were effective immediately.

“I think, for the most part, the employees were very understanding,” Temple said. “They’re all very proud of what they do and they’ve done a great job. They can certainly sense that ticket sales weren’t as good but they were still pretty shocked. They all presumed that I would prevail and pull it out. I failed them.”

He said he would hire them back if there is a breakthrough in securing the tracks from Woodinville to Snohomish.

Temple was devastated that the train is now parked.

“This was my baby,” he said. “It wasn’t our biggest money-making business, that’s for sure, but it was always something we loved and took pride in. I always wanted to build the next Space Needle, something that transcended time. I think we were on our way to doing that before the sale (of the rail line).”

The latest development came as a surprise to Colleen Hill, president of Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.

“I have no idea about that,” Hill said.

Snohomish officials and business officials remain hopeful that the dinner train would come to their town.

“Everything we’ve heard from Eric Temple and dinner train people indicates that they remain very much interested,” city manager Larry Bauman said.

Herald Writer Yoshiaki Nohara contributed to this report.

Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Former Lake Stevens City Council member sworn in to fill vacant position

Kurt Hilt fills the seat left vacant after the sudden passing of former council member Marcus Tageant.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.