This isn't really preservation related, but I am not sure where else to ask. My friend and I are going to try to build the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad Depot in gingerbread. I wanted something that could go with my AC-12 that was simple, and this seems to fit the bill. My question is, does anyone know where I can find approximate dimensions and better pictures of the structure. I tried a google image search for "mount rainier railroad depot" and "station" and didn't come up with much. I know there are some Mount Rainier guys here, so I thought I would ask. Thanks

I've got some photos, I could e-mail you a few if you'd like. I saw the construction drawings when it was being built, but didn't keep a copy of them.

One thing to keep in mind, this depot isn't a vintage structure, nor is it based on an historic structure other than general lines/inspiration. It's simply a gift shop, ticket office and restrooms in a building that's loosely based on a typical railroad designs. So loosely in fact that the original drawings had the bay window on on the highway side, as if it was a house or storefront. We had to tell the builder "No, that goes by the tracks..." It was built fairly recently, and it's on an ex-Milwaukee Line, not SP so no AC-12's were wandering by these parts, although it's not a Milw standard depot either. Basically it's freelanced in 12 inch to the foot scale.

It's a rectangular structure with a bay window. Built on a slab, very simple really. You could freelance something similiar and come up with a reasonable structure. Another option would be to locate some SP standard plans and see what their small depots looked like.


The original depot in Elbe, which was demolished before we started, was a Milwuakee standard structure, and a lot like the Morton Depot, which has been preserved. (Maybe identical, but I'm not certain of that.)

If you're really insistent on modeling that structure, for whatever reason, I'll see if I can dig up some photos for you.

I didn't realize that wasn't an original building. I didn't get a good look at it when we were there as the bridge was out and passengers were boarding at the engine house instead. I know the line is ex-Milwaukee Road, but I figured that it is in the Cascades, so at least an AC-12 would fit the area if not the specific road. If this is wrong, someone please tell me. I have been told that AC engines were used this far north, but I don't know how reliable my information is. I was looking for something simple in the area that would work for modeling in food. That is one of the few depots I knew right off would be simple and I thought would be easy enough to find plans for. I do have the plans for a depot on the Yellowstone branch of the UP that would probably be close enough to freelance something out of. Thanks for the idea. I agree the depot at Morton would be better, but this is a trial run. Something simple is in order. Maybe next year something more complicated.

Well, it's the original Mt Rainier Scenic Depot, built just after the turn of the century in '05, I think it was... Here's a shot of the construction.




Oh, that's the turn of the 21st century and 2005 though. :)

As for the AC's I'm not an SP expert, but I thought Oregon was as far north as they came. Maybe somebody with more solid info will bail me out on that one.