Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

Brunch Train Excursions

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Quick Details:

📅Service Times : Saturdays, 11:00am
⌛Duration: 1hr 15min
♿Accessibility: Please read our FAQs

Service Times

Brunch Trains are back! 

All Brunch Trains depart from our Elbe Depot and are round-trip. Brunch is served onboard our Parlor Car in baskets. Our Parlor Car is comprised off cozy club chairs and limited table seating. This experience is best enjoyed by adults and older kids—while we love our littlest railfans, this may not be the ideal outing for young children. Seating is first-come, first-served. Many thanks to our caterer: Main Avenue Coffeehouse and Bakery out of Morton!

Brunch Menu: 

Chicken Salad Croissant: House-made chicken salad served on fresh butter, flaky croissant

Yogurt Parfait: Layers of vanilla yogurt, house-made granola, and fresh mixed berries

Railroad to Paradise Cookie: A sweet and salty peanut butter cookie packed with chocolate candies, raisins, and crunchy pretzels

 Gluten-Free Basket

Chicken Salad Sandwich: House-made chicken salad served on gluten-free bread

Yogurt Parfait: Layers of vanilla yogurt, house-made granola, and fresh mixed berries

Blueberry Banana Muffin: A moist bakery-style gluten-free muffin filled with ripe banana and juicy blueberries

Heart-all-a-Flutter Cookie: A soft and chewy gluten-free vegan peanut butter cookie

Vegan Basket: 

Teatime Sandwich: A delicate tea sandwich with crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and whole cranberry sauce

Cranberry Fields Forever Salad: Fresh spring mix, topped with raisins, with candied walnuts, and balmasic on the side

Blueberry Cobbler Turnover: Golden puff pastry filled with sweet blueberry cobbler filling

Heart-all-a-Flutter Cookie: A soft and chewy gluten-free vegan peanut butter cookie

 Allergen-Free Dessert: 

Chocolate Mint Pudding Cup: Rich chocolate with a refreshing hint of mint and a silky, creamy finish 

 

Pricing

🎟️ Lounge Car

Adult: $65
(Please note dietary requests upon booking)

GF = Gluten Free
VEG = Vegetarian

Map

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Map

Train Classes

Lounge Car

🥞 Lounge Car

Brunch is served aboard our Parlor Car, a reimagined lounge with cozy club chairs and limited table seating. Whether you’re savoring a drink or soaking in the views, this refined space is ideal for a more intimate and relaxed experience. Limited bar service available. Please note: this Parlor Car image is an artistic representation of the train. seating area.

Coach

⛰️ Mountain View Car

Feel the fresh mountain air aboard our open-air Mountain View car! With no windows and a covered roof, this standing-only car offers unmatched panoramic views. A favorite spot of photography and soaking in the sights! (Available to all onboard)

About this Train

A 1 hour and 15 minute, 12-mile round trip excursion is a journey through forest landscapes, aboard our vintage train. Step aboard our charming lounge car and savor a relaxed, scenic journey through the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Mt. Rainier. With a mix of cozy club chair seating and intimate tables, this unique experience is perfect for unwinding with loved ones or making new friends. While table seating is not guaranteed, our delightful selection of brunch-style snack foods will keep you fueled for the adventure. Enjoy fresh pastries, fruit, and savory bites as you sip your favorite drink and take in the rolling views through panoramic windows. The perfect blend of comfort, flavor, and scenery awaits!

Our historic train set is led by 100 year-old steam engine, Polson 70, and features an open air car, two historic Pullman passenger coaches, and our baggage car – outfitted as a gift shop and concession stand.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options available (select when booking).

Train motive power and equipment is always subject to change.

FAQs

 

Where is your train departing from?

Trains depart from our Elbe Depot, located at 54124 Mountain Highway E, Elbe, WA 98330. Please arrive 20 - 30 minutes prior to departure.

Is the museum in Mineral open to the public?

While our railroad and logging museum is still under active development as a dynamic work site—with numerous rail stock restoration projects underway—not all areas of the Mineral museum site are open to the public just yet. That said, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad rail system itself serves as a living museum. We are thrilled to welcome visitors in limited capacity at the Mineral Museum site through our popular Whiskey Tasting Trains. Special arrangements can also be made by emailing us at info@wfim.org. We look forward to fully reopening the entire railroad and logging museum to the public soon.

Looking ahead, our long-range vision includes building a new regional museum in Eatonville to showcase our extensive collection of steam locomotives and logging equipment. This space will weave in local Nisqually heritage and the human stories of the logging camps, highlighting the remarkable engineering feats and ingenuity that conquered the rugged terrain of the rural West Coast—all presented in a broader, more inclusive narrative.

In the meantime, we've been offering rail cycle tours, allowing individuals to pedal along the historic rail system living museum railways and experience the area and system history firsthand.

Is the train ADA accessible?
We are able to board standard-sized wheelchairs and folks who may have difficulty with stairs via our wheelchair lift. Restrooms in our baggage car are ADA accessible. Due to the historic nature of our equipment, the doors on our passenger cars are not wide enough to accommodate many wheelchairs at 27” wide. Our baggage car has large open doorways (with a safety fence), and guests are welcome to enjoy the views and ride from inside the car, or ride in one of our marked ADA tables, in our passenger coaches. Please note, there are various lips/bumps in doorways and between train cars, and that travel between cars may be difficult while the train is moving.

*BRUNCH TRAIN EXCURSIONS
While we do have a wheelchair lift which is also able to accommodate folks with walkers and mobility concerns, our Brunch Train accessibility is limited. We are able to accommodate standard-sized wheelchairs on our lift; however, due to the historic nature of our Parlor Car, there is a narrow turn from the lift into the car, and a significant lip on the door threshold. The bathroom is not ADA accessible. Our steam train excursions (coach cars on same departure) are largely accessible,
however, check out the details here.

*EASTER & HALLOWEEN EXCURSIONS
While we do have a wheelchair lift which is also able to accommodate folks with
standard-sized wheelchairs, walkers and mobility concerns, our Easter & Halloween
excursion accessibility is limited. We are able to accommodate standard-sized
wheelchairs on our lift; however, much of our facilities in Mineral are not concrete
walkways and as grassy and rocky.

Does the train go to Mt. Rainier National Park?

Nope! Our railroad sites several miles outside the entrance to MRNP and while, on a clear day you can see Mt. Rainier from the Nisqually River Trestle on our route, it does not enter the national park. 

Are there restrooms onboard?

Yes, there are two restrooms aboard the train – both in the baggage car, located in the middle of our train consist. There are restrooms in the Elbe Depot (open from 10am - 5pm). 

Can I bring my dog (or service dog)?

Service animals (defined as dogs or miniature horses trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities) are welcome. Emotional support animals and pets are not welcome aboard, and we advise their humans to make arrangements for them during their railroad excursion.

Can I bring alcohol?

Due to liquor regulations, no personal alcohol can be brought on board the train at any time. 

Can I bring firearms on board the train?

Passengers are not permitted to carry firearms of any kind on the train. Due to federal railroad regulations, we do not allow open or concealed carry.

How do I pick up my tickets, can I just show the confirmation email on my phone?

No printing at home is required, but you must have a ticket (not boarding pass, which is simply confirmation of purchase) for the conductor to punch onboard the train! All passengers must check in inside the depot prior to departure time, where we will confirm your party’s reservation and hand you your pre-printed souvenir tickets. Whether you booked online or by phone, your ticket will be punched onboard by the conductor or brakeman just as they have done since 1882.

Where can I park when I ride the train?

Parking is available at the depot in Elbe. Coming into Elbe, turn right after our sign, cross the railroad tracks, and park behind them. Parking is marked with signs. 

What if I need to change my date or departure time?

 Rescheduling or other changes to a booking may be made through our ticket office (253) 900-7245 and info@mtrainierrailroad.com or your customer portal found in your email confirmation.  The portal allows you to self-reschedule up to 36 hours before your excursion.  There is a $5 rescheduling fee for all reservations.  

What is your refund policy?

Guests who add Peek Protect at checkout may be eligible for a refund if they need to cancel for a covered reason, including but not limited to:

  • Unexpected illness or injury

  • Travel delays due to weather or mechanical issues

  • Family emergencies

  • Other qualifying circumstances as defined by Peek Protect’s terms

Refund requests under Peek Protect are handled directly through Peek and are subject to their approval and documentation requirements. We do not control eligibility determinations for Peek Protect claims.

Are there assigned seats?

Yes and no! Our Dinner and Brunch trains have assigned table seating - please let us know if you're traveling with a party that booked separately so we can seat you together. On our regular steam train excursions, we do not assign seats. Two cars have "walkover" seats - sit two to a seat or flip the seats to face each other in groups of four! We've recently added an additional car with table seating in groups of 4. Our open window coach and baggage car are open to the public for the duration of the train ride and offer great views of our steam engine for those interested in walking about during their excursion. Seating is first come-first served.

*BRUNCH TRAIN EXCURSIONS
You will be assigned a car (Parlor Car) rather than a seat. Seating is first come-first served. Our parlor car seating is first-come, first-served and offers a combination of cozy club chairs and limited table seating.

*EASTER & HALLOWEEN EXCURSIONS
No assigned seating, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can we get up and move around the train?

Please! Our historic train set features one open-air alfresco car, an open-air car with a roof, two historic Pullman coaches, and a baggage car, retrofitted as a small concession stand and gift shop. Check them all out and pick your favorite!

Is there anywhere to get coffee/soda/snacks on board?
Yes! Our baggage car is retrofitted as a gift shop with a small snack and concession area. We offer soda, bottled water, and a variety of individually wrapped snack items.
Which locomotive will be pulling the train?
Most excursions will be pulled by Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s Polson Logging No. 70, a 70-ton 2-8-2 “Mikado” type steam locomotive, built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1922 for the Polson Logging Company.

Upon occasion, the Polson 70 may need unscheduled maintenance. During these times, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad may elect to substitute a diesel engine for motive power.

Will you be offering any holiday-themed rides, Halloween and Christmas trains? What about other themed events?

Yes! We are offering family-friendly events for Easter, Halloween, and of course, our ever-popular Christmas event, Christmas with The Clauses. Tickets for Christmas with The Clauses go on September 1st, every year. 

Great Gifts & Apparel!

Visit our online merch store for all things Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. Look good and support our mission! We have everything for hoodies, shirts, hats, blankets and water bottles.

Merch Photo