EATONVILLE–MORTON, Wash. — A long-idled rail corridor that threads through the foothills of Mount Rainier could soon have a new owner and operator. Mt. Rainier Railroad LLC (MRSR) filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in mid-December, 2025 seeking authority to acquire and operate roughly 33.59 miles of track between Eatonville and Morton, Washington, and to replace Tacoma Rail as the line’s designated common-carrier service provider.
The STB notice, published December 19, outlines MRSR’s request to purchase the route from the City of Tacoma’s Department of Public Works, doing business as Tacoma Rail Mountain Division (TRMW), and—upon closing—assume exclusive common-carrier responsibilities previously held by the City of Tacoma’s Department of Public Utilities, doing business as Tacoma Rail.
According to the STB filing, the transaction covers the Mountain Division segment extending from milepost 32.0M at Eatonville to milepost 65.59M at Morton (about 34 route-miles). MRSR told regulators it has reached an agreement with TRMW to purchase the line and, after consummation, operate it as the corridor’s sole common carrier—formally ending Tacoma Rail’s common-carrier status on this segment.
In its verified notice, MRSR described itself as a noncarrier entity and stated it is a subsidiary holding of the Western Forest Industries Museum, which controls the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, best known for tourist excursion service in the region…