By Justin Franz
The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad announced that it would resume operations two years earlier than previously expected with rail bike tours on its route in Washington State and possibly steam excursions on a neighboring tourist railroad.
MRSR began operations on a former stretch of Milwaukee Road track in 1980 and was purchased by American Heritage Railways, which also owns Colorado’s Durango & Silverton, in 2016. The railroad was renamed the Mt. Rainier Railroad & Logging Museum by American Heritage Railways but struggled to succeed. It was closed in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. In 2022, a local group, Western Forest Industries Museum, was reorganized to get the railroad back in operation.
WFIM thought they would be able to get the railroad back up and running within a few years, but now they have the opportunity to speed up that timeline by offering rail bike excursions on the former MILW track out of Eatonville. RailCycle Mt. Rainier is expected to begin offering experiences in May.
But perhaps more exciting is the fact that MRSR is exploring the prospects of operating steam on the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad. Last year, that railroad, located about an hour and a half north of Portland, suspended operations because it was unable to get liability insurance. The railroad had been involved in two incidents that resulted in a lawsuit that is now pending. MRSR is currently in talks to bring Polson Lumber 2-8-2 70 and some passenger cars to Chehalis for the summer. MRSR hopes to offer family-friendly excursions and themed rides (like BBQ & Blues Trains and Beer Tasting Trains).
“Since we announced our acquisition of the railroad, the support we have received has been overwhelming,” said MRSR Executive Director Bethan Maher. “We have a talented staff and board of directors, robust community support, and over 80 volunteers actively working to help revive the railroad. The outpouring of help has made summer operations an aggressive, but realistic target. We appreciate CCRM’s willingness and warm, friendly response to the proposal, and the help they’ve given us in making this idea a reality.”
MSRS is currently working on getting its equipment back into service and needs to raise about $80,000 to finish the job. MRSR will also need permission from other area railroads to move the equipment. If everything goes according to plan, steam excursions could begin in June.
