The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad advertised a Railfan Trip set for May 20th, the day after the Southern Pacific 4449 and Union Pacific 844 doubleheader. I learnt about it first on Trainorders and it only took a couple of days for the plan to be finalized. Running from Mineral to Divide and return, it would leave at 10:30, last approximately two to three hours with some photo runbys en route, weather permitting. An optional shop tour would be offered upon return to Mineral.
Bob and I drove to Mineral and picked up our ticket. We boarded the train, whose consist was West Fork Logging Heisler Company 91, coach 541 "Clopen", coach "Mineral" and an open car.
West Fork Logging Heisler 91 leading the first photo runby outside Mineral.
My second time photographing and riding this steam engine eleven months after the first.
MRSR coach 541 "Clopen" (ex. British Columbia Railway "Brandywine Falls", exx. Canadian Pacific parlour car 6601, nee Canadian Pacific coach 2290).
MRSR coach "Mineral" (ex. Oregon, Pacific and Eastern, nee Southern Pacific).
The Heisler switches to the other track after the runby.
Smoke from the steam engine as seen from the open car.
Passing over a small creek during the trip.
Enjoying the steam excursion through the woods.
Crossing a road near Divide. We stopped at Divide for the steam engine to run around the train.
West Fork Logging 91 has been cut off from the end of the train and heads down to the switch.
Reversing down to the switch.
The steam adds to the cloudy and cool day.
West Fork Logging Company Heisler 91 (ex. Clyde Shurman 102, exx. display/storage on Veronia, South Park and Sunset, exxx. Kinzua Pine Mills 102, nee Whitney Engineering 102) approaches the passenger cars.
Coupling up the air hose.
The open car was quite popular today.
West Fork Logging 91 putting on a show as it makes its way to the bridge.
The side of the steam engine and the gears therein.
A woodland scene with a babbling creek between Divide and MP 60. Upon arrival at the curved trestle bridge, we all detrained and first set up for a standing photo stop. Bob and I both took photos from a couple of angles.
West Fork Logging Company Heisler 91 and the three-car train on the bridge at MP 60 on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad.
The train putting on a great show on the bridge at MP 60.
More views of this one-time event.
The steam train reverses in preparation for the photo runby.
The photo runby on the bridge at MP 60 over 19 Creek. Everyone re-boarded for the return trip to Mineral.
West Fork Logging Company Heisler 91 (ex. Clyde Shurman 102, exx. display/storage on Veronia, South Park and Sunset, exxx. Kinzua Pine Mills 102, nee Whitney Engineering 102) showing its unique features. We walked around the yard before the shop tour.
MRSR coach 584 "Eatonville" (ex. British Columbia Railway "Squamish", nee Canadian Pacific 2283). Built 1950 and sold to MRSR in 1997.
MRSR coach 684 (ex. British Columbia Railway "Sundance", nee Canadian Pacific 2296). Built 1950 and sold to MRSR in 1997.
MRSR coach 685 (ex. British Columbia Railway "D'Arcy", nee Canadian Pacific 2267). Built 1949 and sold to MRSR in 1997.
MRSR coach "Morton" (ex. British Columbia Railway "Clinton", nee Canadian Pacific 2252). Built 1950 and sold to MRSR in 1997.
MRSR coach 901 "Elbe" (ex. Oregon, Pacific and Eastern, nee Southern Pacific
MRSR coach 99 (history heretofore unknown).
MRSR coach "Nisqually River" (ex. MRSR "Chehalis River", exx. Alaska Railroad "Caribou Creek", nee Bureau of Mines safety car 1).
MRSR coach "New Reliance" (ex. British Columbia Railway "Lone Butte", nee Canadian Paicfic 2242). Built 1949 and acquired by MRSR in 1997.
Milwaukee Road steel bay window caboose 01944. We then went inside the shops but there was not a lot of room to take photographs.
Hillcrest Lumber Climax 10 (ex. Victoria Pacific 10 1980, exx. Hillcrest Lumber 10 1970, nee Hillcrest Lumber 3). Sold to MRSR in 1979 and was the first steam engine to operate there.
Alaska Railroad boxcar 10264 converted from World War II troop sleeper.
MRSR NW2 481 (ex. Louis Dreyfus 481, exx. Cargill 103, exxx. Pacific Transporation 103, exxxx. BN 481, exxxxx. BN 1713, nee GN 5336).
MRSR RSD-1 41 (nee Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 747).
MRSR S-1 42 (nee US Army 7134).
The front of Northern Pacific F9A 7012A (ex. Burlington Northern 838, nee Northern Pacific 7012A). This was stored inside and it was not possible to get a decent picture of it. However, since I am very partial to F units, I included it, and hope to be able to ride behind it on this railway in the future.
This was the culmination of three events that meant a lot to me then, and still does. I consider myself lucky and fortunate to have taken part in each.
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