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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park

Happy birthday Old No. 7! Local history fans know that the first few decades probably weren’t as fun as the last few were for a certain steam locomotive, when it primarily was used for mining and miner transportation in the Sierra Nevada mountains. But then Gary Norton purchased it at an auction and brought it to North Idaho, where it now spends its days chugging around Silverwood Theme Park, where it has become one of the most popular attractions. To mark the train’s centennial, we’re inviting readers to share photos aboard it – it could be something you take this summer or something fun from the past. We’ll accept any photo that has anything to do with the train experience – a selfie, an image of the family having a good time while aboard, a cool motion shot as it goes through the trees, good images of the Old West show or cast members, a picture of the elusive Sasquatch, or maybe a nice landscape shot as the train exits the forest and starts heading toward Coaster Alley. Photos can be submitted between now and Tuesday Sept. 8. They can be emailed to contests@silverwoodthemepark.com, or uploaded at www.spokane7.com. The contest is open to all ages. First-prize receives a family pack of 4 single-day passes for the 2015 or 2016 season, and second and third place receives two single-day passes for the 2015 or 2016 season. See Silverwood Train Photo Contest Rules for details.

NOTE: Before photos show up in the reader photo gallery, they must be approved by an editor. If yours does not show up immediately, fear not. The only likely delay is that an editor has not had a chance to approve new photo submissions yet. Thanks for participating!

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Photos in This Album

  • First place! My kids admiring Engine 7, and begging to ride it AGAIN!

    Photographer: Tauni Jensen -- first place!

  • Second place! The actors are the best! This shot is my favorite from our entire family vacation because of how interactive the show / ride becomes!

    Photographer: Brittany Armentrout -- second place!

  • Third place!! Cousins riding Old # 7 at Silverwood

    Photographer: Molly Sligh -- third place!

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park.. shot from the train

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • Buffalo From the train.. great shot

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park.. One of my favorite shots from the train love it

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park my precious with grandma

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park with my precious cutie

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • All aboard the train at Silverwood Theme Park

    Photographer: Ema Romero

  • These are our friends Becca and Kyle who moved far away from us. So, we decided we might as well take them to Silverwood!! This photo was taken in August of 2014

    Photographer: Melody Bush

  • Our train guide loved her

    Photographer: Lisa bushey

  • This was our 1st visit to Silverwood Themepark and was an awesome trip for us for Summer 2015. Thank you so much!

    Photographer: Ty and Michelle Ahlquist

  • Train Robbery!! The people in the background are just random people on the train.

    Photographer: Kristin Frank

  • Destiny and I doing our yearly tradition of riding the train after grabbing coffee on our annual trip :)...taken August 9,2015

    Photographer: Tanya Kirsch

  • Took this one in June 2015 parked along Main Street. Took the train ride with my family several times on this visit to Silverwood as we enjoy it so much.

    Photographer: Chip Loop

  • Hold up time!

    Photographer: Jeffrey ringquist

  • Step son was picked for the girl volunteer...his sister is the one laughing!

    Photographer: Jeffrey ringquist

  • Train show 2015

    Photographer: Jeffrey ringquist

  • Watching the show on the train!

    Photographer: Jeffrey ringquist

  • This was taken this year! We went for my son's birthday.

    Photographer: Jeffrey ringquist

  • This was taken this year! We went for my son's birthday.

    Photographer: Jeffrey ringquist

  • No 7

    Photographer: Karen Holmes

  • Annual train ride photo! The kids love riding the train every year:)

    Photographer: Amy Isakson

  • Didn't get a chance to go this summer so here is my epic train photo from last years Scarywood

    Photographer: Michelle Dudley

  • Didn't get a chance to go this summer so here is my epic train photo from last years Scarywood

    Photographer: Michelle Dudley

  • I always love the last part of the ride where you get to see the huge rides! It looks like it's overcast, but it was mostly smoke from fires. August 2015

    Photographer: Kristin Frank

  • My son, age 7, was concentrating so hard trying to find more Big Foots! Taken August 2015

    Photographer: Kristin Frank

  • My daughter Addie, age 5, absolutely loved the Train Show at Silverwood Theme Park. She also loves flowers so we got a picture with both! Picture was taken August 2015.

    Photographer: Kristin Frank

  • This is my son Josiah. He just rode the train and is meeting the "Bad Guys" He is sure keeping an eye on them. Photo taken in 2012.

    Photographer: Tammy Huntting

  • This is my husband Tom and my daughter Abie. They are enjoying the train ride. This photo was taken in 2012.

    Photographer: Tammy Huntting

  • This is my daughter Anna. The train was being held up and she was following instructions. This photo was taken in 2012.

    Photographer: Tammy Huntting

  • This is my daughter Anna. She was checking things out while waiting to board the train. This photo was taken in 2011.

    Photographer: Tammy Huntting

  • This is my son Josiah. This was during the "Hold up". He thought is was a real thing and he was terrified. We were able to reassure him that it was planned and he was not in danger. He made sure he had money to give the robber the next time we rode the train "just to be sure". This photo was taken in July of 2012.

    Photographer: Tammy Huntting

  • Old number 7 getting ready to leave

    Photographer: James kegler

  • Hands up for charity! Summer 2014, Our 3 year olds first "train robbing" experience.

    Photographer: Ashley Stewart

  • Taken at silverwood theme park, Tuesday September 1st

    Photographer: Amy Lewis

  • Hands up!

    Photographer: Will Wild

  • Family selfie! Waiting for the train to start! Little did we know we were going to get wet!

    Photographer: Brittany Cain

  • My family and myself enjoying a great day at Silverwood Theme Park. It was the first time our family had been there and it was a great day filled with rides and games and good food. We talk about that day often. We would love to be able to go again. Winning these tickets would allow us to do so.

    Photographer: Chuck Harns

  • Engine number 7 . Taken Aug 11 2015 . Took this picture to put in my journal and remember our rides. It's special to me, because I rode on this with our grandson. :-) . Rode more than once that day.

    Photographer: Tricia Thiessen

  • On engine number 7 in June of 2015 with my husband and cousin. Love Silverwood! :)

    Photographer: Jessicca Arnold

  • On engine number 7 in June of 2015 with my husband and cousin. Love Silverwood! :)

    Photographer: Jessicca Arnold

  • Marshall Marshall look behind you! August 2015 Silverwood adventure!

    Photographer: Ginna Fontaine

  • Family time on Ol number 7 for my birthday!

    Photographer: Andi Gaylor

  • Fun times on ol number 7 for my birthday!

    Photographer: Andi Gaylor

  • My son Kaydyn screaming at the bandits to leave his cowgirl alone. It was so funny had two whole train cars laughing...and he was so super serious about it to. Still to this day he randomly asks about the cowgirl!

    Photographer: Reanna Howard

  • Making memories last summer on the train at Silverwood!

    Photographer: Molly Reed

  • Enjoying the day at Silverwood.

    Photographer: Linda Wilson

  • My oldest two kiddos very happy and excited to be riding the train originally from Walt Disney world

    Photographer: Rachel pearson

  • Myself and my youngest son..such good memories my family is so lucky to get to go

    Photographer: Rachel pearson

  • Myself and my youngest son..such good memories my family is so lucky to get to go

    Photographer: Rachel pearson

  • My oldest two kiddos very happy and excited to be riding the train originally from Walt Disney world

    Photographer: Rachel pearson

  • Retirement Day Fun

    Photographer: Jeff Danner

  • The Silverwood Central train taken at the south edge of the park on July 6, 2013.

    Photographer: Bruce Butler

  • Garfield and Friends

    Photographer: Laura

  • This is a test

    Photographer: laura morgan

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