The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad currently has six operable steam locomotives at its facility in Mineral, WA. On Saturday, May 17th, MRSR will hold a special event for the public with all six locomotives in steam at the same time! The event will take place at our logging museum in Mineral, WA with the gates open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Our pair of logging Mikados (Polson Logging #70 and Hammond Lumber #17) will take turns pulling a passenger consist from Mineral to Elbe and return. The trains will depart the museum site at 10:00 am, 12:45 pm and 3:30 pm, with the two Mikes double-heading on the 3:30 trip. Our three operable geared locomotives (Willamette #2, Climax #10 and Heisler #91), along with CMO Stathi Pappas' SCPC #2 (Porter, 0-4-0T) will take turns making short trips from the museum to Mineral Lake, giving everyone an opportunity to ride behind each of the six different steam locomotives in service. The first trip to Mineral Lake will depart the museum at 10:15 am. We'll fit in as many trips to Mineral Lake as possible throughout the day until 4:30 pm. Cab rides in each of the operating locomotives will be available for an extra cost.

At 1:00 pm, there will be a "parade" of the geared locomotives and the Porter past the museum boarding platform. An announcer will discuss direct-connected vs. geared power transmission, plus the differences in the three geared locomotive designs.

Additional displays of antique autos, steam and gas engines, and the like are in the works. A food vendor will also be on site.

Please check our website, http://www.mrsr.com, for more information and to purchase tickets.

We hope to see you there!

Brian Wise
General Manager
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

For those of you familiar with the operation, please note these comments:





We typically depart from Elbe. That is not the case for this event.

Bob:

Count me in. It's on the calendar!

Yeah, I'd had other plans on that day, but I think I'll be changing them so I can attend!

Based on previous experience, please double check all the cotter keys on the valve gear on 17.

dave

I'll be attending.

Wish I was a little (or a lot) closer, I would love to experience 6 operating steam locomotives together, I am looking forward to the videos.

Dave,

We have over 600 miles on 17 since the roll out in November, so we should be ok. Look forward to meeting you and many others from RYPN in person!!!

Best,

Stathi

Won't be this year, Stathi. I'll be there in spirit, wishing it could be in person.

dave

I figured some might be interested in our stable:


Polson 70 running gear and boiler completed February 2011

Santa Cruz Portland Cement 2 (my personal locomotive) just out from a boiler and running gear rebuild November 2013

Hammond 17 just out of a boiler and running gear rebuild in November 2013

and also our geared locomotives:

West Fork 91, West Coast Special Heisler

Rayonier 2, Willamette shay

Hillcrest 10, three truck climax

Come out and let us share these unique locomotives with you! And be sure to say hi!

Best,

Stathi

I'm for sure going to this.
Here's the ticket page so you don't spend all that time looking for it: http://www.mrsr.com/calendar.html?Page=http%3a%2f%2fwhistletix-public.ticketbiscuit.com%2fMRSR%2fEvents%2f190935

My wife and I have purchased our tickets. Come on spring!!

I'm in the Southeast, and have wanted to see the Willamette since it was restored, but now this might be the time to make the trip! Can anybody tell me where is the best place to fly into, hotels, car rental, etc.? Thanks!

Those living closer might have better ideas, but I'd suggest flying into SEA-TAC and renting a car there. There are motels in nearby Morton and also Eatonville. I've stayed in both towns, Eatonville is maybe a little nicer and has more choices for meals too.

I doubt that you'll be disappointed if you take the time to attend. It truly is a scenic railroad, they now offer easier access to the shop and have done really well on recent projects and that includes the grounds at Mineral.