Bridge 35 was constructed in 1891 in Montana as the seventh crossing of the Yellowstone River, on the mainline of the Northern Pacific Railway.  This 160-foot through-pin-connected Pratt truss was built to what we would now consider a Cooper E33 rating.  It could support double headed locomotives of any size in operation in 1891.  

By the 1920s, the increasing size of Northern Pacific's locomotives required bridges able to support greater weight. So in 1923 a new bridge was erected over the Yellowstone River. The old bridge was dismantled, moved to North Bend, Washington, and rebuilt over the south fork of the Snoqualmie River.  Bridge 35 in North Bend also incorporates 798 feet of ballasted deck timber trestle constructed in 1929.

All bridges on the Museum's Snoqualmie Valley Railroad were built by the Northern Pacific Railway.  They are inspected annually for safety and any evidence of deterioration.  

Periodically, a detailed study of structural timber is completed that includes ultrasound testing to detect damaged timber, and core samples using a half inch drill.  A "map" of wet or rotten wood is made to track continued deterioration.  When a suitable factor of safety cannot be maintained, the timber is replaced.  

Bridge 35 last had major work circa 1955 when the wooden deck was replaced. By 1998, several critical elements were nearing the end of their useful life. The bridge also needed repainting.  

By the spring of 1999, the Museum began the lengthy process of searching for funding and securing permit approvals. Funding was awarded by the King County Cultural Development Fund, and by the Washington State Department of Transportation from the Federal TEA-21 program upon recommendation of the Puget Sound Regional Council.  The $489,000 project began construction in September 2003.