Scenic Steam Train Excursions

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.

Accessibility varies by excursion and equipment. Because we operate historic railroad equipment, some of our passenger cars have narrow doorways, aisles, and transitions that cannot accommodate wheelchairs.

For most regular excursions, we are able to board guests using standard-sized wheelchairs, as well as guests who have difficulty using stairs, with our wheelchair lift. An ADA-accessible restroom is available in our baggage car.

Due to the historic nature of our equipment, many passenger-car doors are approximately 27 inches wide and cannot accommodate all wheelchairs. Our baggage car has wider openings, and designated accessible seating is available on applicable excursions. Please be aware that there are lips, thresholds, and uneven transitions between cars, and moving between cars can be difficult while the train is in motion.

CHRISTMAS – STEAM INTO CHRISTMAS

Guests who require wheelchair-accessible seating must reserve one of the designated ADA seats when purchasing tickets. This allows our crew to ensure that the appropriate space and boarding accommodations are available for your party.

If you use a wheelchair or require the wheelchair lift and the designated ADA seats are sold out for your preferred departure, please select another departure with ADA seating available.

PARLOR CAR & BRUNCH TRAIN

Our Parlor Car and Brunch Train are not wheelchair accessible. Although we have a wheelchair lift for boarding, the historic Parlor Car has narrow interior walkways and turns that do not provide sufficient clearance for the lift and wheelchair access into the passenger area. The Parlor Car restroom is also not ADA accessible.

Guests with mobility limitations who are able to board and navigate the car without a wheelchair may still wish to contact us before booking so we can discuss the specific boarding conditions.

EASTER, HALLOWEEN, and 21+ EXCURSIONS

Excursions have additional accessibility limitations where the train travels to Mineral or East Creek Junction, where passengers deboard for the event.

At this time, we are unable to deboard guests who require a wheelchair lift at Mineral or East Creek Junction. The event grounds also consist primarily of uneven, rocky terrain rather than paved or level pathways and may be difficult or unsuitable for wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

We have new wheelchair lifts on order for both East Creek Junction and Mineral, which will allow us to significantly improve accessibility at these locations in the future. Until those improvements are in place, guests who require lift-assisted deboarding should not book the Halloween excursion. We are hoping they arrive by mid-October 2026, however, they are not on site yet.

If you have questions about whether a particular excursion or piece of equipment can accommodate your mobility needs, please contact us before booking at (253) 900-RAIL. We are happy to explain the specific conditions and available accommodations. 

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. 

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). 

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

 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.  

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.