iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Here's a special episode of Off The Rails featuring Eric & Bethan for Pride Month 🌈 Talking about queer history of the PNW in the early days of logging and railroads. And Eric sharing his own story on coming out and working in railroad preservation. youtu.be/eLSvgdfikvU?...

youtu.be

Off the Rails | Episode 15 | Pride: Past & Present

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

We think we've got this week's playlist figured out... 🎵 Splish Splash – Bobby Darin 🎵 Waterfalls – TLC 🎵 Under Pressure – Queen & David Bowie 🎵 Back in the Saddle – Aerosmith 🎵 Steam – Peter Gabriel 🎵 Steam Heat – The Pajama Game What else should we add?

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Next week (Tuesday & Wednesday), the FRA will be on site to observe her hydrostatic pressure test. Which means... We're officially taking bets on when No. 70 will steam again. Drop your prediction in the comments. Closest guess earns bragging rights, eternal glory, and chance to tell everyone else

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

No. 70 just passed a major milestone. We filled her boiler for hydro testing, and we're happy to report that she appears to be keeping the water where it's supposed to be. No unexpected fountains, geysers, indoor waterfalls, or other exciting plumbing features were observed. Generally, a good sign

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

We have some new pride-themed merch up on our online store for Pride Month. Go check it out. mt-rainier-scenic-railroad.printify.me/category/all/1

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Hey Seattle, Tacoma and surrounding area peeps. Auditions and casting have opened for our Christmas Trains. Click the link for more details. ko-fi.com/i/IM2C520BC1J

ko-fi.com

Tracks to the Past Audition Form - Click to view on Ko-fi

Follow Ethereal Chaos Productions on Ko-fi

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

349 mineral Creek Rd, in Mineral Wa 98355 is the best for packages but USPS doesn't deliver out to our location, only Ups or Fedex.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Bethan also requests: Grinder wheels and sour cream and onion chips and Red Bull

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Right now, in their free time they are planning a WWII airsoft battle between the staff.... So ammo, lots and lots of ammo.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

After work, they’ve apparently been spending 4–5 hours a night researching what it would take to conduct a fully realistic WWII campaign recreation involving airsoft pew pews, tanks, jeeps, planes, and enough logistics to concern everyone around them, and Eric is working on emotional support merch..

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Meanwhile, Rowdy has been listening to a retelling of Audie Murphy’s Sicily campaign while finishing seal welding. And perhaps most importantly: Polson 70 is getting dangerously (and very safely) close to being filled with water and squeezed. “But you said they’re absolutely losing it?”

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Chris, our machinist, finished machining the valve rockers and got them back on the engine. He’s now working on the eccentric straps. Don’t know what those are? They’re the parts that contain the eccentrics…which is fitting, because the eccentrics themselves have clearly gone off the deep end.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The smokebox patch turned out to be rotten, ugly, and home to one truly horrifying old repair weld. Naturally, Nate fully hyperfocused on restoring the thing back to factory settings. During this process, our Superintendent suggested an alternative repair that was immediately vetoed by the crew.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

OPERATION: RESTORE THE CHUGG FIELD REPORT // POLSON 70 RESTORATION DIVISION They’ve finally lost it. Sanity is at an all-time low. The crew has officially reached the stage of the project where they’re deliriously happy, running on fumes, and giggling far too often. So, what’s the latest?....

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Bethan and Rowdy talk geared locomotives, while Eric has whiskey and Dicks in Seattle... Check out more of the behind the scenes at the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad. youtu.be/aZAaGE3esec?...

youtu.be

The Business Case...

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

One year since our Trestle Fire! Here's an update on what all has been happening since, the clean up, the business planning and moving forward. youtu.be/ZRGUL8KAkVc?...

youtu.be

One Year Later: Rebuilding After the Trestle Fire

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

More of the railroad being the railroad and stuff we do behind the scenes. youtu.be/XBvfNjqF4E4?...

youtu.be

Groundhog Day.

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Mark your calendar, this Wednesday, April 29 • 1:00pm PST For the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive's lunchtime Zoom presentation series, Bethan Maher, Executive Director will share we are actively reshaping our future to remain sustainable, relevant, and resilient. mailchi.mp/pnrarchive/f...

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Next up @slightlyfurry.bsky.social 🐾. They pride themselves on being queer-owned 🌈, furry-owned 🐾, and offering bold flavors. Their mission isn’t just to brew cider, but to offer an inclusive, safe space for everyone 🤝—and they do an amazing job at it.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Next on the list is 3 Dog Cider / Brewstillery. They know their apples 🍏, growing nearly 90 varieties on their almost 100-year-old homestead orchard 🌳 for pressing into cider. Keeping it real, fresh, and fun is their thing—and when it’s at the railroad, you know it came right from the farm 🚜.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

We have Mill Haus Cider Co., coming down from our local community of Eatonville! These folks have one of the chillest hangouts, great food 🍽️, and cider handcrafted right here in the foothills of Mt. Rainier 🏔️. They’re the place you go to hang out and forget the rest of the world for a little while

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

You joined us for our Whiskey Trains 🥃, you had some fun on our Beer Trains 🍺—now have a sip of cider on our Cider Trains 🍎🚂. Seriously, friends, this is going to be one of the most fun trains of the year 🎉, featuring some amazing folks who love to make cider....

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Here's a Spicy one for you all. Listen in on some drama that's happened, how we delt with it and progress we are making on the 70. youtu.be/vNFGefnRkBs?...

youtu.be

We're Spicy. Drama. Dissertations.

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Will have to check with the shop, but we will do what running gear work she needs to be reliable this summer, so we can get the 5 rebuilt at the same time. If that means, some things can be safely put off for a later date, we will do what we need to do.

will.do

will.do - Coming Soon

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Where we’re at now: • Firebox end: fully rolled, beading has started. • Smokebox end: about 25% rolled Our crew is making serious progress on Polson 70, and we’re on track to have steam back before summer…assuming nothing too funky happens. Also worth noting: average age of our boiler crew is 25.5.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The weld around the tube doesn’t actually seal it. The seal comes from rolling the tube and pressing it tightly into place. The beading (tube is folded over), then seal-welded after (metal glue) helps transfer heat and reduces stress at the ends of the tubes, which helps prevent cracking over time.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

This past week, Nate and Chris finished installing the tubes in Polson 70’s boiler. Once the tubes are in place, they’re “rolled” or expanded outward so they fit extremely tightly into the tube sheet....

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Steam Choo Choo 201 🚂 how the choo choos actually go chugga chugga. Steam locomotives run on…steam. Boiler tubes are relatively small metal pipes inside the locomotive’s boiler that carry hot gases from the firebox through the surrounding water, heating it efficiently to create….steam...

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Well, we do love a good steak 🥩 here at the railroad too.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Chris and Nate working away on the 5 and more on this week's YouTube episode. youtu.be/t8wE1BKdfLw?...

youtu.be

Staybolts and More!

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

I mean you have a train ride with us and then we hear Seattle is a lot of fun for the furry community!

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

We recognize this grave mistake. That said, in the spirit of fiscal responsibility, we’ll be forging ahead with tube installation using our clearly inferior, non-cookie-scented product choices.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

After Rowdy (our Superintendent and Chief Foamface) shared a post about this on his personal page, multiple well-known and highly respected steam professionals chimed in with a critical oversight: We should have used butter-flavored Crisco. Allegedly, it would make the shop smell like cookies.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Standard industry practice? Crisco. It holds up better than petroleum-based lubricants under the heat. Apparently, we’ve been doing it all wrong. Several respected industry professionals have weighed in this week to critique our “inferior” product choices…so we figured we’d set the record straight.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Lubricant talk! First, a very quick explainer: in a steam locomotive boiler, tubes run through the tube sheets. To reinstall them, we use a tool called a tube roller, which expands the tubes so they fit tightly into those holes. It’s a job that generates a lot of heat, so proper lubrication is key.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad adopts elite military support systems. Operations improve daily. Something has to keep the railroad going!

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

This is the train on train action we like to see..... Their couplers and other aspects of being cars in preservation prevent them from traveling on their own wheels. It's safer this way. They will get delivered to and unloaded at a local shortline before being sent to us.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

In September 2024, we purchased three ex-Reading passenger cars from the N.C. Transportation Museum. It would be hard to overemphasize the challenges of moving equipment this big cross-country on a nonprofit's budget but after a lot of work, they’re finally on the move and heading our way.

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Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad @mtrainierrailroad.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Eric gives a behind the scenes tour of the museum grounds and Bethan shows off our new building. Check it out in our latest YouTube video. youtu.be/UFXUmkkOcXc?...

youtu.be

The Museum & The New Shop

YouTube video by Mt. Rainier Rail

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Reposted by Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Mt. Rainier Scenic has purchased a 3.6-acre plot and a more than 10,000-square-foot building that will serve as its new restoration facility and office space railfan.com/mt-rainier-a...

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