ELBE, WASH. — Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe, Washington announced recently that it acquired three historic, ex-Reading Railroad passenger cars from the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

The railroad organization, owned by non-profit Western Forest Industries Museum, bought the passenger cars after the museum determined that they were not a fit for its collection and chose to sell them to an organization that could fully restore them, according to a news release from the organization.

“Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR) is proud to announce the acquisition of three historic ex-Reading Railroad passenger cars from the North Carolina Transportation Museum. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to expand the railroad’s fleet while preserving the rich heritage of steam-era railroading. The passenger coaches, built between 1922 and 1927 by the Standard Steel Car Company and Bethlehem Car Company, will help enhance MRSR’s operation, offering visitors authentic steam-age experiences that honor the early Pacific Northwest logging industry,” stated the organization in the release.

The three passenger cars — numbers 1297, 1298 and 1299 — retain much of their original 1920s construction, including historic walkover seats. Planned restoration efforts will maintain the integrity of their design while incorporating modern safety and comfort enhancements. The cars are scheduled to be transported to Washington in early 2025, with the first coach expected to be in service by Christmas of that year.

This acquisition follows the recent removal of equipment leased from Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s previous owner. The equipment, including four Tacoma Rail passenger cars and a diesel locomotive were removed from MRSR property in late August. The four Tacoma Rail cars, which were more modern commuter-style coaches, did not align with MRSR’s vision of offering an immersive “step back in time” experience.

Instead, MRSR opted to terminate the lease early and, for the same cost, acquired the historically-significant coaches. The funds saved will also support transporting them across the country, restoring them and returning the 100-year-old steam engine, Porter No. 5, to service.