Issaquah Valley Trolley, Washington
Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesCar 519 returned to passenger service in 2026 after seven years
The Issaquah Valley Trolley runs car 519, a 1925 streetcar first built for Lisbon, Portugal, along Issaquah's historic rail line from the Depot to Gilman Boulevard, all powered by Issaquah History Museums volunteers.
- 1925 streetcar from Lisbon, Portugal
- Car No. 519
- Back in service in 2026
- Depot to Gilman Boulevard
- Carries its own generator
- Volunteer crew
Issaquah Valley Trolley at a glance
- Hours
- Seasonal weekend rides; check the trolley page for current dates
- Admission
- Not posted online; check the trolley page or call (425) 392-3500
- Train rides
- Round trips of about 1.2 miles (about 20 minutes) from the Depot to Gilman Boulevard on scheduled days
- Seasonal events
- Caroling at the Depot, Issaquah Open Mic, Literary Nights
- Plan for
- About 20 minutes for the ride, longer with the Depot
- Best for
- Young families and streetcar fans
- Best ages
- All ages, especially toddlers to age 8
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- WhereIssaquah, Washington(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(425) 392-3500
- Emailinfo@issaquahhistory.org
- Websiteissaquahhistorymuseums.com/trolley(opens in a new tab)
Follow Issaquah Valley Trolley
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Issaquah Valley Trolley? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Issaquah.
Rally Takes the Train
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See who’s waiting at the station
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A Lisbon streetcar finds a home on an 1887 rail line
Issaquah never actually had trolleys in its early days, though the idea was floated in 1903. What the town did have was a railway, built in 1887, that shaped how Issaquah grew. The Issaquah Valley Trolley is the Issaquah History Museums' tribute to that line, letting passengers ride the old tracks once again. The museums were formerly known as the Issaquah Historical Society, and the trolley is one of their projects.
The car itself traveled a long way to get here. Number 519 was built in 1925 for the streets of Lisbon, Portugal, then re-gauged to fit Issaquah's standard-width track. Lisbon's cars drew power from overhead wire, but Issaquah has none, so 519 now pulls its own electric generator set to feed its 600-volt DC motors.
Car 519 started carrying Issaquah riders in the autumn of 2012 and kept running through 2019. Then came a seven-year pause while the museums worked through planning, repairs and operating updates. In summer 2026 the trolley rolled back into passenger service with weekend rides through downtown, and the museums say they are grateful to have it running again.
Riding from the Depot to Gilman Boulevard
Trips begin at the historic Issaquah Depot, the home base of the Issaquah History Museums, and run along the rail line to Gilman Boulevard and back. The full round trip covers about 1.2 miles and takes roughly 20 minutes, a nice length for small riders. Watch for the power car coupled to the trolley: that is the generator set that makes the whole thing go.
The Depot is also a gathering place for the town, hosting open mic nights, literary evenings and caroling, and the Issaquah History Museums share photos, letters, documents and oral histories through an online collections catalog they have been building since 2011.
Don’t miss
- Car No. 519A 1925 streetcar built for Lisbon, Portugal and re-gauged for Issaquah's standard-width rails.
- The power carSince there are no overhead wires, the trolley hauls its own generator set to run its 600-volt DC motors.
- The historic Issaquah DepotThe starting point for rides and the home of the museums' events, from open mic nights to Caroling at the Depot.
- The 1887 rail lineThe trolley runs on the route of the railway that helped shape Issaquah, all the way to Gilman Boulevard.
A short, sweet ride for little conductors
At about 20 minutes for the round trip, the trolley ride fits young attention spans well, and the Issaquah History Museums describe it as a hands-on outing for visitors of all ages. Kids get a real streetcar with a real crew, plus the fun of spotting the generator car that does the work overhead wires would do elsewhere.
Rides are seasonal and dates are announced on the museums' trolley page and social media, so check before promising anyone a trolley trip.
Plan your visit: tips for Issaquah Valley Trolley
- Check the trolley page before you go; when no rides are scheduled it says so.
- Rides start at the historic Issaquah Depot.
- Call (425) 392-3500 or email info@issaquahhistory.org with questions.
- Ask about volunteering as a conductor, operator or platform agent if your family loves the trolley.
The Depot stays lively after the riding season. As of October 2026, the Issaquah History Museums list Caroling at the Depot on December 3, plus monthly Issaquah Open Mic nights and Literary Nights. For a holiday trip with an actual train ride, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Washington.
Run on volunteer power
The trolley belongs to the Issaquah History Museums, a nonprofit whose free and reduced-cost events are supported by 4Culture. The museums like to say that despite the power car, the trolley really runs on volunteer power: they are always looking for conductors, operators and platform agents, and they welcome donations through their website.
More rails around the Eastside
The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie is only about 10 miles away and makes a natural pairing. The Seattle Center Monorail is about 16 miles west, and the Great Northern and Cascade Railway in Skykomish is about 34 miles. Find more in our guide to train museums across Washington.
- Northwest Railway MuseumSnoqualmie, WA · about 10 mi
- Pacific Northwest Railroad ArchiveBurien, WA · about 15 mi
- Seattle Center Monorail historic exhibitsSeattle, WA · about 16 mi
- Washington State History Museum railroad exhibitsTacoma, WA · about 27 mi
- Great Northern & Cascade RailwaySkykomish, WA · about 34 mi
- Mount Rainier Scenic RailroadElbe, WA · about 53 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to welcome Rally aboard. Here that welcome comes from volunteers who give up their weekends to be conductors and platform agents on a little streetcar that came all the way from Lisbon. My kids are learning to read, and a short ride with a friendly crew is the kind of real-life story that helps a picture book make sense. Our train books for toddlers list has more.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Washington: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Washington
- Halloween train rides in Washington
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Issaquah Valley Trolley?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Issaquah Valley Trolley official website(opens in a new tab)
- Issaquah Valley Trolley on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Issaquah Valley Trolley on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- Issaquah Valley Trolley on Tripadvisor(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Issaquah Valley Trolley: 20 rider questions answered
What is the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
The Issaquah Valley Trolley is a heritage streetcar line in Issaquah, Washington, run by the Issaquah History Museums. It carries passengers in car 519, a restored 1925 streetcar built for Lisbon, Portugal, along the town's historic rail line between the Depot and Gilman Boulevard.
Is the Issaquah Valley Trolley running in 2026?
Yes. After a seven-year pause that followed the 2019 season, car 519 returned to passenger service in summer 2026, offering weekend rides through downtown Issaquah. Ride dates are posted on the Issaquah History Museums' trolley page, which notes when no trips are scheduled, so check it before you go.
Where does the Issaquah Valley Trolley ride start?
Rides start at the historic Issaquah Depot, home base of the Issaquah History Museums, and run along the tracks to Gilman Boulevard before returning. The museums do not list a street address on the trolley page, so call (425) 392-3500 if you need directions to the Depot.
How long is the Issaquah Valley Trolley ride?
The round trip covers about 1.2 miles, the full length of track between the Depot and Gilman Boulevard, and takes around 20 minutes. That makes it an easy outing to fit around lunch or a walk through town, and a comfortable length for toddlers and preschoolers.
What are the Issaquah Valley Trolley hours?
The trolley runs on scheduled days rather than fixed daily hours, and in 2026 it returned with weekend rides. The Issaquah History Museums post upcoming trips on the trolley page of their website. If nothing is listed, call (425) 392-3500 or check the museums' Facebook page for the next run.
How much does it cost to ride the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
The Issaquah History Museums do not post a fare on the trolley page. Check the page for ticket details when rides are scheduled, or call (425) 392-3500 or email info@issaquahhistory.org to ask about prices and how tickets are sold before you head to the Depot.
How old is the Issaquah trolley car?
Car 519 was built in 1925. It began life in Lisbon, Portugal, and was later re-gauged to run on Issaquah's standard-width track. It has been carrying passengers in Issaquah since the autumn of 2012, with a break from 2019 until its return in 2026.
Did trolleys ever run in Issaquah?
Not in the town's early days. A trolley was considered in 1903 but never built. The Issaquah Valley Trolley instead honors the 1887 railway line that helped shape Issaquah, using a vintage streetcar to carry riders on that historic route.
How does the Issaquah Valley Trolley run without overhead wires?
It brings its own power. Instead of drawing electricity from overhead wire like it did in Lisbon, car 519 hauls an electric generator set that feeds its 600-volt DC motors. Kids enjoy spotting the power car, which the museums joke can be deceiving, since the trolley really runs on volunteer power.
Who runs the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
The trolley is a project of the Issaquah History Museums, formerly the Issaquah Historical Society. Volunteers do the work of running it, serving as conductors, operators and platform agents. The museums' free and reduced-cost events are supported by 4Culture.
Can I volunteer with the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
Yes. The Issaquah History Museums invite people who love spending time around the trolley to join as a conductor, operator, platform agent or in other roles. The trolley page has a link to learn more, or you can email info@issaquahhistory.org or call (425) 392-3500.
Is the Issaquah Valley Trolley good for toddlers?
It is a strong choice for young children. The round trip takes about 20 minutes, the car is a real vintage streetcar, and the museums describe the ride as an outing for visitors of all ages. Check the schedule first, since rides only run on posted days.
Is the Issaquah Valley Trolley wheelchair accessible?
The Issaquah History Museums do not post accessibility details for car 519 on the trolley page. Vintage streetcars often have steps at the doors, so call (425) 392-3500 or email info@issaquahhistory.org before your visit to ask what boarding is like.
Where should I park for the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
The museums do not list parking details for trolley riders online. Rides start at the historic Issaquah Depot downtown, so allow time to find parking nearby, and call (425) 392-3500 if you want advice on the most convenient spot.
Does the Issaquah Valley Trolley run at Christmas?
The museums have not posted holiday trolley rides as of October 2026. The Depot does host Caroling at the Depot on December 3, 2026, which is a festive way to visit. Watch the trolley page and the museums' Facebook page for any seasonal ride announcements.
What events happen at the Issaquah Depot?
As of October 2026, the Issaquah History Museums list Issaquah Open Mic nights on the first Wednesday of several months, Literary Nights, and Caroling at the Depot on December 3. Free and reduced-cost events are supported by 4Culture. The full list is on the museums' events page.
Can I book the Issaquah Valley Trolley for a group or party?
The Issaquah History Museums do not list a group or private charter package for the trolley online. Email info@issaquahhistory.org or call (425) 392-3500 to ask whether group rides or special arrangements are possible during the riding season.
Can I research Issaquah history online?
Yes. Since 2011 the Issaquah History Museums have been digitizing their collections, and their online catalog shares photo files, letters, documents and oral histories. Their site also links to digitized issues of the Issaquah Press and other local and state history resources.
How can I support the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
Ride when it runs, volunteer as part of the crew, or donate to the Issaquah History Museums through the Donate button on their website. The museums are a nonprofit, and support helps keep car 519 and the historic Depot open to the public.
What train attractions are near the Issaquah Valley Trolley?
The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie is about 10 miles away and offers train rides and a large collection. The Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive in Burien is about 15 miles, the Seattle Center Monorail about 16 miles, and the Great Northern and Cascade Railway in Skykomish about 34 miles.
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