ELBE, Wash. — Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad has begun offering a limited excursion schedule for September and October as stated on its website. The train trips come at least a year or two ahead of the railroad’s timeline for returning to operation [see “Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad scheduled to reopen by 2025,” Trains, December 2022].
“We are thrilled to announce our soft reopening with train excursions running between Elbe and Mineral for a limited time in September and October,” reads the website statement. “We’re bringing back the tradition of unforgettable steam train excursions, through the heart of Washington State …”
Trains began running over the Labor Day weekend and were the first to do so since 2019. More than 1,200 people rode the train during the first weekend of operations.
The return to operation did have a few challenges, which the railroad’s staff and volunteers were able to surmount, says Bethan Maher, executive director. In a Facebook post, Maher notes that unusually heavy rain in the area on Thursday before the weekend downed numerous tress, which blocked the railroad’s track. Staff and volunteers worked into the early morning hours to remove the trees and inspect the track.
Additionally, vandals struck the railroad, stealing the restroom piping from under its concession car, disabling the only toilet facilities on the trains. Again, staff and volunteers were able to correct the situation in time to maintain the advertised schedule.
The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad dates to 1980, when Weyerhauser Corp. allowed Tacoma lumberman Tom Murray Jr. to launch a tourist railroad on a portion of its line formerly owned by the Milwaukee Road. In 2016, the operation was acquired by American Heritage Railways, owner of the Durango & Silverton Scenic Railroad, and rebranded as the Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. AHR closed the railroad in May 2020 stating the operation was not profitable and that it was being hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Western Forest Industries Museum acquired the railroad, announcing plans to reopen and expand the operation by 2025.
To find out more about the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad schedule, please visit its website.
For additional information on the WFIM plans, please visit their website.
Robert Harbison contributed to this story.
Tacoma Rail is punting on the line west of Elbe. It will be interesting to see what comes of it now the Rainier Scenic is back in action again.
Take a step back in time and ride on a vintage train, pulled by a steam locomotive through the breathtakingly beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape. With stunning views of mountains, farmland, and surrounding forests, this is a journey that you’ll never forget.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Yeah, yes glad to the see the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad back in operation.
Sorry to hear they were hit by some dirtbag thieves who decided to steal “restroom piping” from the concession car. Hope they got dirty in the process …
Glad to see they are back in operation. They are one of the only places with all three types of geared locomotives. My wife and I visited in 2010 and had a great time. We where even given a tour of the shops which was very interestin.