Last night, our future went up in smoke.

Our crew was in Morton having dinner- tired after a long day but hopeful, even celebrating. Just hours earlier, we got confirmation that the sale of the railroad was finalized. After years of effort, we were finally going to own the thing we've poured our lives into.

Then the messages started. A fire. A bridge. Maybe "the" bridge.

At 6:40 p.m., our largest wooden trestle-the 28-span bridge between Mineral and Morton-was reported burning to the fire department. It took over an hour for fire crews to reach it. By the time we got the news and arrived on scene, at 8:45, the air was thick with burning creosote. The damage was done.

That bridge was rebuilt 20 years ago and was structurally sound. It was the key to reopening freight and passenger service to Morton-work we've been making real progress on. That span carried more than trains. It carried the weight of our financial stability, our plans for local industry, and the future of the communities we serve.

Our organization has done a herculean amount of work in the last two and a half years. We've carried more passengers than ever before. We've cleared more track. We've fought for every inch of progress with sweat, sacrifice, and no shortage of stress. And this-this hurts. We've cried, a lot. We're tired. And we're angry.

Because let's be clear: bridges do not spontaneously combust. Someone did this. Whether through recklessness or malice, someone set in motion the destruction of decades of infrastructure and millions in future regional impact.

We're still licking our wounds, and we don't know what the path forward looks like yet. But we do know we need help.

We're asking for your support. Donations will go toward reopening the railroad-whatever that now requires. Insurance deductibles, legal costs, recovery planning-we're just starting to grasp the scope.

If you've ever believed in what we're building here-or if you're just as mad as we are that someone tried to destroy it-please help us rebuild. This place matters.

We're down. But not out.

Stay tuned to this thread as daylight hits-we'll post updates and photos as we're able to get a better look at the damage.

And please: stay off the damn tracks.

Please consider a donation by check to WFIM at PO Box 465, Eatonville, WA 98328 or by our go fund me link https://gofund.me/d3a7d1ae

I'm familiar with the bridge and wonder how bad the damage is, as nobody has yet to show photos of it as it is now.

I fully expect the structure will be a total loss.

11:47 am - Gaping holes in the bridge infrastructure, portions are falling and collapsing. At this point, for the sake of containment we are hoping for a total collapse.

In today's world, what does bridge insurance look like?

MRSR now has photos of the perpetrator and they're posting them on social media searching for a name and information. The whole situation is just gut-wrenching.

MRSR now has photos of the perpetrator and they're posting them on social media searching for a name and information. The whole situation is just gut-wrenching.

We’ve watched it burn all day. Huge sections of the bridge have collapsed, and the fire is still raging. The heat is so intense, the steel rail is warping and melting.
DNR has confirmed this was human-caused. Whether through recklessness or intent, it didn’t have to happen. If you know something—say something. And please, always stay off the tracks.
We now believe insurance likely won’t cover this loss. That’s a devastating reality. The cost to recover is climbing, and we’ll be updating our fundraising goal to reflect the damage we’re seeing firsthand.
But here’s the good news: our main line is still operational.
You can support us by:
— Buying tickets and riding with us
— Donating directly
— Spreading the word to foundations or elected officials—let them know this railroad matters
We’re shaken. But not stopped.