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…