Trestle Fire at Mt. Rainier Scenic RR, Hours After Sale

BnOTolSub · **Joined:** Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:41 am **Posts:** 163

Only downside I see to that great GoFundMe going on is watching all that money just sit there when it may be years before they are in a position to use it for its intended purpose.

Thundarr · **Joined:** Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:10 pm **Posts:** 19

seth4404 wrote:

Randy Hees wrote:

The facebook page comments are all emotional (appropriate) "Oh No" types...

Here we can do a bit better...

I especially love the comments saying that BNSF should just donate money to the bridge reconstruction and that it wouldn't be that hard to get them onboard... for reasons.

Seeing as how this was a MILW branch, CPKCS would be more appropriate :P

I've been following closely and if it's the same comments I saw, they said it might not hurt to reach out to various class 1 railroads in search of donations or support or whatever kind. Not that BNSF should just send it on over. As far as that goes, what's the harm in asking? They're separated from a class 1 by at least one shortline, so it's not like asking the guy next door to do your yard work. They'd likely get told no or no response, but there's a chance they might get something. BNSF has used Southern Pacific 4449 for Employee Appreciation trips and their IMAX film. Union Pacific has donated or contributed to heritage efforts they had no stake in. Some might think your comment about how it's silly to ask a corporation with a large regional presence is as silly as you thinking a nonprofit asking whatever corporate entity with a large regional presence for assistance is silly.

linkthebutler · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2020 12:29 am **Posts:** 268

A video message from

Western Forest Industries Museum
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkfIVpZZPtk

RCD · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2025 2:28 pm

Considering that this part of the line was about to be reopened it makes you wonder if somebody didn't want a train going through their backyard.

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3013

BnOTolSub wrote:

Only downside I see to that great GoFundMe going on is watching all that money just sit there when it may be years before they are in a position to use it for its intended purpose.

Some of it will be used immediately:

Quote:

We’re launching this fundraiser to help reopen the railroad. Donations will go toward whatever that now requires—including insurance deductibles, legal costs, and eventually, bridge replacement and recovery planning.

All of that work takes time and costs money. Unexpected costs that will now need to be budgeted for. Donations will help get things moving for the next steps, whatever that may look like. It won't be enough to pay for the new bridge, but it might be enough to fund grant writing that will help pay for the new bridge.

Thundarr · **Joined:** Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:10 pm **Posts:** 19

seth4404 wrote:

Randy Hees wrote:

The facebook page comments are all emotional (appropriate) "Oh No" types...

Here we can do a bit better...

I especially love the comments saying that BNSF should just donate money to the bridge reconstruction and that it wouldn't be that hard to get them onboard... for reasons.

Seeing as how this was a MILW branch, CPKCS would be more appropriate :P

According to today's Facebook update, BNSF officials reached out to them. Their General Director of Line Maintenance was on site at the trestle(or what's left of it, rather) with them for technical advice and support.

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1097

Bridge Update (Part III) Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, September 11, 2025

Randy Gustafson · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2025 11:53 am

Nisqually river near Elbe is now under a flood warning as of 12/11, predictions above flood stage.

That long, low bridge combination just northwest of Elbe is to be watched. Now a series of through girders on what I think are concrete piles, it's better built than before, but watch anyway.
https://grouptravelleader.com/wp-conten ... elbe-4.jpg

This is the bridge that truncated the railroad for a sustained time when it was washed out before. And NPS never did recover some of the parking areas from that flood inside the park.

Alan Maples · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2025 8:41 am

Randy Gustafson wrote:

Nisqually river near Elbe is now under a flood warning as of 12/11, predictions above flood stage.

Mineral Creek almost took out the railroad in Mineral, WA, but Mt. Rainier Scenic worked into the night Wednesday with their side dump car and excavators to armor the bank with rip rap, and it appears trains are still running as scheduled. An extraordinary effort by a small team already stretched thin by the demands of the holiday season.

- Alan Maples

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2026 4:23 pm

Again:

https://railfan.com/mt-rainier-scenic-b ... es-fire-2/

Quote:

Mt. Rainier Scenic Bridge Catches Fire

A bridge on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad caught fire on June 28. It was the second time in just over a year that one of the railroad’s bridges had caught fire.

The most recent incident occurred at the Boxcar Canyon Trestle. Firefighters were able to douse the flames before any major damage was done, and railroad officials have said it will not impact its operations. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

In April 2025, another bridge on the railroad was destroyed in an apparent arson. Law enforcement continues to investigate that fire, but no arrests have been made. The railroad has encouraged people with information about either fire to reach out to them or law enforcement. That bridge was not on track used by MRSR’s current excursion operation.