PRESS RELEASE
Elbe, WA – Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR) is proud to announce the acquisition of three historic ex-Reading Railroad passenger cars from the North Carolina Transportation Museum. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to expand the railroad’s fleet while preserving the rich heritage of steam-era railroading. The passenger coaches, built between 1922 and 1927 by the Standard Steel Car Company and Bethlehem Car Company, will help enhance MRSR’s operation, offering visitors authentic steam-age experiences that honor the early Pacific Northwest logging industry.

The North Carolina Transportation Museum, known for its excellent preservation of historic rail equipment, determined that these passenger cars were not an ideal fit for their collection. Recognizing that these coaches could see a full restoration elsewhere, the museum chose to sell them at a reasonable price, ensuring their continued use in a setting that celebrates their steam-era significance.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad reopened in September 2023, following a closure in 2020 under its former out-of-state, for-profit ownership. Since transitioning to a locally-managed nonprofit, the railroad has seen unprecedented success, with ridership soaring and most excursions selling out. MRSR anticipates serving approximately 70,000 passengers by the end of 2024.

As demand for steam-era excursions grows, MRSR remains dedicated to its mission of preserving and showcasing the logging railroad experience of the Pacific Northwest. The addition of these historic passenger cars perfectly aligns with this mission, allowing the railroad to meet increasing demand while ensuring passengers are immersed in an authentic, historically rich experience reminiscent of steam-powered logging railroads.

The three passenger cars—numbers 1298, 1299, and 1297—retain much of their original 1920s construction, including historic walkover seats. Planned restoration efforts will maintain the integrity of their design while incorporating modern safety and comfort enhancements. The cars are scheduled to be transported to Washington in early 2025, with the first coach expected to be in service by Christmas of that year.

This acquisition follows the recent removal of equipment leased from Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s previous owner. The equipment, including four Tacoma Rail passenger cars and a diesel locomotive were removed from MRSR property in late August. The four Tacoma Rail cars, which were more modern commuter-style coaches, did not align with MRSR's vision of offering an immersive “step back in time” experience. Instead, MRSR opted to terminate the lease early and, for the same cost, acquired these historically significant coaches. The funds saved will also support transporting them across the country, restoring them, and returning the 100-year-old steam engine, Porter No. 5, to service.

Nice to have that rumor confirmed.

A good addition and someething (little) different from the well known Southern Pacific
commuter coaches seen everywhere.

What let me scratch my head...
There are already 2 of that series Reading coaches in Elbe, WA 1327 and 1329.
Owned by the Mt. Rainier Dining Co.
Is it not easier to buy that 2 with 0 miles transport than the ones from Spencer, NC
with 2250 miles as the crow flies?
Or they are already part of the equation for Western Forest Industries Museum
future plans?

Four axle, open window coaches are hard to come by, especially in any kind of decent condition. The three Reading cars in N.C. are in pretty nice shape overall and the price was right, so MRSR snapped them up. Such an opportunity is not likely to happen again.

PMC, thanks for your memory about the Burlington cars. There was only one 4-wheel car, ex C&S, and our friend in Wyoming got the trucks for his car. There is a SP&S coach with 6-wheel wooden trucks, and a Pullman sleeper missing partitions and interior walls with steel 6-wheel trucks. Maybe time is making the price come down but somehow I suspect not. Not sure who the official owner is these days after a transaction and failed move. All of these were work train, missing couplers, and not in out of service condition. Served in Bellingham as railroad car business locations.
O.