Railroading Merit Badge Day at Tacoma Rail

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Tacoma Rail

Go behind the scenes of a real working railroad during this unique Railroading Merit Badge opportunity hosted by Tacoma Rail. Scouts will learn directly from railroad professionals while exploring the equipment, operations, and safety practices that keep freight moving throughout our region.

During this hands-on experience, participants will work on the following Railroading Merit Badge requirements:

• How a locomotive works (Requirement 1d) – Learn at an actual locomotive.
• Railroad signs and signals (Requirements 5 & 6) – Explore railroad signaling using Tacoma Rail's simulator.
• Rail safety (Requirement 4) – Gain an understanding of safe practices around railroad operations through an overview presentation.
• Freight operations (Requirements 1b & 1c) – Visit the operations tower to learn how freight trains are coordinated and managed.
• Departments of a railroad company (Requirement 3) – Discover the many roles and careers that keep a railroad operating successfully.

This is a rare opportunity to visit an active railroad facility and learn from industry professionals in a real-world setting.

Space is extremely limited. Registration is capped at 15 Scouts and 3 adult leaders. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as this event is expected to fill quickly.

Please Note: While participants will complete a significant portion of the Railroading Merit Badge requirements during this event, additional requirements may need to be completed with a registered Merit Badge Counselor before the badge can be earned.