Centennial Station in Olympia — Live Webcam Traffic

History of Centennial Station: A Volunteer Project Since 1993

The railway station Centennial Station, also known as Olympia–Lacey, is located just south of the city of Lacey in Washington state and serves the capital city of Olympia. This is not just a stop — it is a unique piece of transportation infrastructure in the United States. The station was built in 1992 by the Amtrak Depot Committee, designed by architect Harold E. Dalke, who donated his work, and officially opened in 1993. Since then, the live webcam has allowed viewers to observe the operations of this unusual station.

Centennial Station is considered the only Amtrak station in the country that is built and managed entirely by volunteers. Volunteer attendants have served the needs of thousands of rail travelers since the station opened in 1993. In September 1993, the station was sold to Intercity Transit for $1, with the Amtrak Depot Committee remaining as the managing organization. This management model makes the station a truly unique phenomenon in the American rail network.

Olympia-Lacey Station Infrastructure

The station is located at 6600 Yelm Hwy SE, 7.5 miles southeast of downtown Olympia. The station is a modern facility with a well-thought-out layout: the platforms are equipped with a yellow safety line, and canopies have been built over them to protect passengers from the rain typical of the Pacific Northwest. The station building is compact but functional — it has everything needed for waiting for a train.

The railway tracks stretch into the distance, surrounded by green trees and shrubs typical of the Washington state landscape. The station blends into the natural scenery, making it not only a transportation hub but also a pleasant place for travelers. The live video feed shows passengers moving along the platform, waiting for trains to arrive.

Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight Routes

Centennial Station is served by two key Amtrak routes: Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight. Amtrak Cascades trains run between Seattle and Portland, connecting the major cities of the Puget Sound region and Oregon. These are high-speed trains with Siemens Charger locomotives in dark blue livery with a red nose and the Amtrak Cascades logo — exactly what can be seen on the platform via the camera.

Coast Starlight is a long-distance route connecting Seattle and Los Angeles. The train runs along the Pacific coast, offering passengers some of the most scenic views in North America. For residents of Olympia and Lacey, Centennial Station is a gateway to the world of rail travel, whether it's a business trip to Portland or a tourist route to Southern California.

Freight Service: BNSF Railway Main Line

The station is located on the BNSF Railway main line (Burlington Northern Santa Fe Seattle Sub) at milepost 32.2. This is one of the most important freight arteries on the West Coast of the United States. BNSF freight trains run between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Vancouver, Washington, as well as trains from Centralia. Via the camera, you can watch freight trains passing by the passenger platform, creating the characteristic rhythm of railroad life.

The coexistence of passenger and freight traffic is a typical scene for American railroads. BNSF Railway is one of the largest freight operators in the country, and its tracks run throughout the western United States. For the observer, this means that traffic on the station's tracks never stops — trains run day and night.

Location and Transportation Access

Centennial Station is located 7.5 miles southeast of downtown Olympia, at 6600 Yelm Hwy SE. This location makes the station convenient for residents of both Olympia and neighboring Lacey. The station can be reached by car or public transit — Intercity Transit provides bus service to the area.

For those planning a trip, it's important to know the train schedule. Amtrak Cascades operates several daily runs between Seattle and Portland, while Coast Starlight passes once daily in each direction. Exact arrival and departure times should be checked on the official Amtrak website, as schedules may vary depending on the season and day of the week.

What You Can See on the Camera

The live webcam broadcasts a view of the Olympia-Lacey railway station in real time. An Amtrak Cascades train is on the platform — a Siemens Charger locomotive in dark blue livery with a red nose and the Amtrak Cascades logo. Passengers are visible on the platform, walking along it with the yellow safety line. The railway track stretching into the distance is visible, along with green trees and shrubs around the station. The station features modern infrastructure with a canopy over the platform.

The camera allows you to monitor train movement, the arrival and departure of trains, as well as the work of the station's volunteers. This is one of those rare cases where live video surveillance gives you the opportunity to see a real American railroad — with its passenger and freight services, unique history, and vibrant rhythm of life.