Let's compare Mt. Rainier Scenic with Cass Scenic for a moment.

About Cass, Wikipedia says:

Quote:

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a state park and heritage railroad located in
Cass, Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

It consists of the Cass Scenic Railroad, an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railway
owned by the West Virginia State Rail Authority and operated by the Durbin and
Greenbrier Valley Railroad.

So...

Cass has three parts: 1) State Park, 2) Railroad, 3) Contractor.

Same thing could be done for Mt. Rainier. The hardest one would be making the
state park. Gov. Inslee could get the money from Prez. Biden if he asked nicely,
methinks. But first, a steam fan would need to champion the idea and sell it.
(work, work, work).

State Park ownership would mean lots of bureaucracy, eye rolling regs, and BS,
Also, State Park workers can be lazzzzzy. But in the end, it would be cool
to see MRSR kept in one piece.

Saw this post from ten years ago announcing Polson Logging 70 restored to operation.
A bummer it is just sitting now.

Quote:

Train Orderz

Date: 02/16/11 17:11
Breaking News! Polson/Rayonier #70 Comes Back To Life!
Author: LoggerHogger

Today saw the first operation under steam in over 25 years of ex: Polson Logging 2-8-2
#70 at the shops at Mt. Rainier Scenic RR.

We started this restoration over 9 years ago under the direct of then CMO Jack Anderson.
Current GM Brian Wise and his crew have worked tirelessly over the past several years to
finish this project. Today #70 moved under her own power and she sounds Great!!