The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is located in Elbe, Washington, 70 miles from Seattle, Washington.  My wife, Ann, and I visited it during the 2003 Steam-up.  I noted that static locomotives had data posted near them with the specifications and history for each one.  I inquired how to get copies of the data and met Mike Lyders.  He indicated that he could forward the information via email. The following locomotive text, data, and photographs were complied by Martin E. Hansen of the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad.

This is not the only equipment that's operated or represented at the MRSR.  Other railroad equipment includes: log, flat, box, refrigerator, crane, equipment cars, and much more.  Also included, are speeders, logging donkeys, and literally tons of other items.  This is not a static museum of steam era logging equipment.  The staff is actively restoring and maintaining all the equipment on the grounds that MRSR owns and operates with a full service railroad shop.  Even the well equipped shop has equipment dating back to the times when large lathes and milling machines were standard equipment to maintain steam operated equipment.  This is not the kind of equipment where you can order a part; you make or repair it on the spot no matter what it is!  The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad can be better described as an operational display of the equipment used in the steam logging industry with all major logging locomotives represented -- perhaps the only place in the world they can be viewed together.

The color photos were taken by myself and show the Pickering #11 Pacific Coast Shay, Rayonier #2 Willamette, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad #91 Pacific Coast Heisler, Hillcrest Lumber Company #10 Climax, Hammond Lumber Co. #17 Alco, and Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad #5 70 Ton Mikado Porter 2-8-2.  The forlorn boiler and tender from the Baldwin 2-4-4-2 still sit awaiting restoration. (These photos to be added soon.)

You will note that most of these locomotives have been made into fine craftsman brass models by different model manufacturers.  Pacific Fast Mail, United, has probably imported more of these brass models than any other of the importers.  Even the last historic Baldwin 2-4-4-2 is at the MRSR awaiting restoration and was imported as a model by both Gem and Oriental.

One can ride the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad from Elbe to Mineral Lake and visit the shops and historic structures only a short distance away.  You will experience the sights, sounds and smells of steam railroading as you cross the Nisqually River in full view of Mt. Rainier, which is only 13 miles away.  From here you can also drive to Mount Saint Helens for a view from Windy Point of where the catastrophic release of power from mother nature blew her top.  Other sites to see include Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, and Glacier Park.  

You can visit their internet site at:  www.MRSR.com or call them at 1888-STEAM11.  Their address is Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, P.O. Box 921, Elbe, Washington 98330.