Cheney Depot Society

09/05/2026

Northern Pacific Monad Pattern China

Welcome back to another installment of our monthly artifact post, today we discuss the history of our railroad china that we have on display in our meeting room (former Baggage Room)

The Northern Pacific Monad Pattern was designed in 1959 and used until Amtrak took over passenger train operations in May of 1971. The Northern Pacific Monad Pattern was manufactured by the Shenango Company of New Castle, PA. The Monad Pattern was an NP exclusive pattern to be used only by the Northern Pacific on the North Coast Limited passenger train.

The color and style of the dining car china was designed to mimic the 1953 Loewy passenger train paint scheme, that was designed by Raymond Loewy, a renowned designer who was hired by the NP to rebrand, redesign and refresh their image for the famous North Coast Limited passenger train.

Included is some original silverware and Napkins that would’ve been used with the pattern. We have setup a Breakfast, Dinner and a special Great Big Baked Potato special place setting.

08/27/2026

2026 Annual meeting in the books. Thanks to all who makes this project a success. Thanks to new board members and outgoing board members. Job well done. Thank you Eastern Coffee Roasters for snacks and being a great tenant. Kim Vollan Jennifer Parnell

08/20/2026

We hope to see you at our annual meeting on Tuesday, August 25.

08/16/2026

Come on out to the Car show at the depot.
We brought our Model A down to the show as well as our Northern Pacific conductor mascot is present.

$15 food is also served onsite. Teriyaki chicken and rice.

08/11/2026

ATTENTION:
To: ALL CHENEY DEPOT SOCIETY MEMBERS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Annual All Members Meeting
Tuesday, August 25th
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Northern Pacific Cheney Depot.
15 Union Street, Cheney, Wa., 99004

Agenda:
Historical Presentation
Board Member elections
Current Depot status
Current and future construction projects
Volunteer opportunities
Future plans for Depot
Q & A session

Light refreshments will be provided
Cheney Depot merchandise will be available to purchase

I look forward to meeting and socializing with you all...

08/10/2026

Crosswalks are in!

08/03/2026

BREAKING: We love our generous business community. A business saw our post and added they would match $5 for every gift card donated to use on your next purchase at our coffee shop. So, come by drop off a gift card to help families affected by these fires and get a gift certificate for $5.00 off your next purchase.

❤️ HELP OUR SPOKANE COUNTY NEIGHBORS ❤️

Eastern Coffee Roasters is collecting gift cards of any amount to support individuals and families impacted by the recent Spokane County fires.

Gift cards for groceries, gas, restaurants, Walmart, Target, home improvement stores, Visa/Mastercard, and local businesses are especially helpful in this time of need.

📍 Drop off gift cards at Eastern Coffee Roasters 15 Union St, Cheney. In the Cheney Depot. Look for the red box inside.

All donations will be distributed to fire victims by Westside Church Spokane.

Every gift card can make a difference. ❤️ Neighbors helping neighbors.

Please share and help us spread the word

08/03/2026

This past weekend saw 3 wildfires cause unimaginable destruction in the Spokane region. Due to the more than 600 homes lost, we at the Cheney Depot Society would like to extend our hearts out to all of the victims and also thank the first responders in working round the clock to put out the blaze.

Eastern Coffee Roasters has begun to accept gift card donations via a red box inside the depot at 15 Union Street in Cheney, WA. All gift cards will be handed out to fire victims directly via Westside Church in Spokane.

Stay safe everyone and have a great Monday.

❤️ HELP OUR SPOKANE COUNTY NEIGHBORS ❤️

Eastern Coffee Roasters is collecting gift cards of any amount to support individuals and families impacted by the recent Spokane County fires.

Gift cards for groceries, gas, restaurants, Walmart, Target, home improvement stores, Visa/Mastercard, and local businesses are especially helpful in this time of need.

📍 Drop off gift cards at Eastern Coffee Roasters 15 Union St, Cheney. In the Cheney Depot. Look for the red box inside.

All donations will be distributed to fire victims by Westside Church Spokane.

Every gift card can make a difference. ❤️ Neighbors helping neighbors.

Please share and help us spread the word!

08/01/2026

Another installment of our monthly Artifact history post, LANTERN’S!!!

Railroad lanterns were used by railroad men for signaling and other uses on the railroad. Listed below you will find a brief history and uses for hand lanterns on the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Early railroad Lanterns were of primitive utilitarian design, over the years the design changed for better durability and efficiency. In the 1880’s lanterns were tall, bulky and inefficient and easily broken. Starting in the 1920’s and 1930’s lantern designs became more compact and efficient, like the ones on display in the depot. Lanterns typically burned kerosene or coal oil until they were eventually displaced by battery electric lanterns in the late 1940’s. Hand lanterns were made by companies such as Adlake, Dressel, Arlington, etc for railroad usage.

On display in our depot, we have a few Lanterns from the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Clear: Adlake, 1945
Green: Adlake, 1944
Amber: Arlington, 1940’s
Red: Arlington, 1940’s

Lantern Globe Color Meanings

Clear: Standard Brakeman/conductor lantern for visibility and signaling usage.

Red: Stop and danger

Blue: Used to mark equipment and tracks under repair, so as to not be used or moved.

Green: Used by wreck cleanup supervisor to communicate with the Wrecker operator, occasionally used to indicate “Proceed”.

Yellow/Amber: Used to mark camp cars, alternatively used to signal a train order pickup when no Train Order Signal is present.

07/28/2026

Look how amazing this looks in front of the Depot! Thank you 5 Star Concrete.