Re: NNG: Mt. Rainier Railroad Closing For Good?

Mike Wrote:
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> To my
> knowledge they have at least one operable steam
> locomotive and I've heard they also have diesels.

Hi Mike,

The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad.....yes, I still call it that....has quite a collection of steam locomotives, most of which are loggers. The collection includes all three types of geared engines.

As far as I know, they have been operating only the Hammond Lumber 2-8-2T #17 and the Rayonier Lumber Williamette #2 in recent years. But there they also have Polson Logging 2-8-2 #70, which I believe is still operable. In addition, Hillcrest Lumber 3-Truck Climax #10, and Mt. Rainier Scenic 3-Truck Heisler #91, both have operated within the last decade, but not recently. When I was last there in 2014, the railroad was not doing annual inspections on the latter two. There are probably 3 other inoperable steam engines under cover in that shed. The complete collection numbers 8 or 9, with perhaps 3 runners and 2 others that could run if their boiler inspections were current.

Hopefully, the collection is not broken up and at some point, the railroad can run again. Like many such preservation operations, the location is on the remote side, which doesn't make a great business case for an outfit like AHR.

I think that the current virus situation has probably set the world economy back several years, and unfortunately, many railroads and museums will suffer. Airline travel will not be particularly safe for a good while. I have a bunch of photography events scheduled for this fall, and I give the odds of any of them happening as less than 50%. I live in Massachusetts. Here, we have the 3rd highest death toll in the country.....I think we are approaching 6,000. Every trip to the grocery store has to be treated like a hazmat situation, so I'm not anxious to get on an airliner anytime soon.

Stay safe!

/Kevin Madore