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12/16/2025
Mt. Rainier Railroad LLC (MRSR), a Washington state-based noncarrier operator of a scenic railroad, has applied to the Surface Transportation Board for approval to assume common-carrier operations over a rail line in the state.
MRSR officials want to replace Tacoma Rail, an entity of the city of Tacoma and its Department of Public Utilities, as the common-carrier service provider on line between Eatonville and Morton, Washington. MRSR also has entered into an agreement with the city and Tacoma Rail's Mountain Division to acquire the 34-route-mile line, according to the STB filing.
MRSR is a noncarrier entity created as a subsidiary of the Western Forest Industries Museum, which controls the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, a tourist excursion rail operation. WFIM has designated MRSR to acquire the line and replace Tacoma Rail as the common carrier service provider.
Currently, the line is inactive and no shippers use it. However, MRSR has plans to begin operating freight-rail service in the future, as well as expand the excursion aspect of the business, MRSR Executive Director Bethan Maher said in a recent RailPrime interview.
To learn more about MRSR, read the RailPrime article here.