Article by Dan Peters, Photo by Al Lowe
It’s that time of year again. Time to put on your engineer’s hat and work boots and red bandana, and take a ride on a REAL ( prototype scale ) passenger train.
This year we’re heading south, to the beautiful Nisqually River Valley, to ride the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. Our passenger train is powered by Polson Logging Co. number 70. This 100-year-old steam engine is a 2-8-2 logging locomotive, built by Baldwin and later used by Rayonier timber company on the Olympic peninsula. It’s been beautifully restored, and is ready to begin operations now that the COVID epidemic is past.
Our trip will be on on Saturday May 11th, 2024. We depart the station in Elbe WA at 11:00 am, for a round trip to the logging museum at Mineral WA. The museum is still closed for construction work by the new owners, but we should get views of the railroad equipment stored outside.
Our annual train ride and picnic is put together by the Hi-Railers module group, but is open to all Fourth Division and NMRA members.
To book your ride:
- Visit https://mtrainierrailroad.com/excursions/#scenic
- Select the “Book Scenic Train” button
- On the next page select the “>” arrow to “May 2024”
- Select “May 11” and “11:00 am”
The adult ticket price is $37.00 ( or is it $40.00 ? ), with discounts for kids. Sorry, there is no discount for seniors. Don’t forget to select the number of tickets in each age category.
Bring your receipt, either a print-out or on your cell phone, and check in at the ticket office in Elbe. They will issue you an “official” ticket before you board the train.
Join us for a fun steam train ride. And tell ’em John Henry sent you.
Dan
Great train ride!
This is one of a few train rides in the whole nation.
Far as I know, there are only 2 steam train rides left in the whole state.
NP 924 runs at Snoqualmie 5 or 6 times a year, after a beautiful restoration that took 6 whole years. And now Polson Logging Co 70 is running in Elbe, after their railroad was closed 5 years for the COVID epidemic.
No more steam at Chehalis – their steam engine is down for repairs, and who knows how long before it ever runs again. No more Lake Whatcom – I don’t think they even have enough volunteers to work on their steam engine any more. NP 1364 is on static display, behind a chain-link fence ( at least you can look at it ).
What we need are some blacksmiths and metal-worker mechanics who can put these antiques back in running order.
This is one of the best train rides in the nation. You will not be disappointed, I guarantee it. I have ridden it twice.
So we can expect to see you on May 11th ?