Sunday, September 14, 2025

a malicious arsonist destroyed a train trestle hours after it was bought to expand the non-profit Mt Rainer Scenic steam locomotive excursion route in April 2025 (competing bidder? nutjob?)





the 400-foot-long, 70-foot-high wooden trestle bridge burned down in a deliberate fire

the bridge was built around 1915, and rebuilt 20 years ago, and though the fire did not affect the main line’s route, the loss is a significant hurdle to expansion and restoration plans. Clean up and replacement will cost 10-20 million.




the nonprofit was is a victim of ongoing attacks, including someone breaking into the shop, threatening to blow up the locomotives, leaving a manifesto at their gate, and sending threatening emails.

There is someone who is very mentally unwell out there who believes that we are a large evil corporation, even though we’re a very small nonprofit,” Maher said.

The Western Forest Industries Museum acquired the railroad in 2022 and this is a huge setback for the railroad’s continuing expansion, and its plan to launch short line service to lumber mills at the end of the long-dormant line beyond the bridge.


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