The Mineral Lake Lions Club has established a dedicated account for donations to support the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad as it recovers from the recent destruction of its trestle bridge between Mineral and Morton.
“This account ensures that 100% of donated funds go directly to rebuilding efforts — with no processing fees or deductions,” the Mineral Lake Lions Club stated in a news release.
An online crowdfunding campaign launched on May 1 has so far raised $126,420 to support the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, but the platform deducts a portion of each donation.
“To offer a fee-free alternative, the Lions Club has partnered with KeyBank to provide a secure donation account,” the Mineral Lake Lions Club said in a news release.
“The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is more than just a train — it’s a symbol of our region’s rich history and a cornerstone of tourism and community pride,” said Tina Moore, president of the Mineral Lake Lions Club. “This fund ensures every dollar truly helps rebuild this iconic treasure.”
The account name is Tilton Trestle 0634 — Mineral Lake Lions Foundation.
Checks can be mailed to KeyBank, P.O. Box 159, Eatonville, WA, 98328.
Walk-in donations can also be made at any KeyBank branch. Donors just need to reference the account name.
All donations are tax-deductible.
For more information or to support this effort, contact Starla Mayer at info@minerallakelions.com.
Catching fire
The bridge caught fire at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. A large portion of the bridge collapsed at approximately 5:22 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, with a secondary collapse at 5:35 p.m. that same day.
As of Sunday afternoon, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad reported that the fire was still smoldering, with a few spans of the 28-span trestle bridge still upright on either end of the bridge due to support from the suspended rail.
“They’re unlikely to collapse on their own, which makes cleanup and mitigation even more complex,” Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad stated in a social media post at about 4 p.m. on Sunday. “We don’t have answers there yet — but it’s going to be a daunting process.”
Fire investigators have determined that the fire was “human caused,” but the specific cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Bridge engineer Ken Kirschling, with RailStar Engineering, LLC, will be on site this week to help determine “a ballpark replacement cost,” according to Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad.
Kirschling is “donating his time pro bono to help estimate replacement costs and map out a way forward,” Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad said in a social media post on Tuesday.
The railroad thanked Kirschling and other community members Tuesday for their kindness and generosity over the last few days.
“It’s hard to put into words how deeply this has impacted us — but what we can say is that the outpouring of kindness and humanity has been incredible,” Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad stated.
On Saturday, the family of longtime volunteer Caleb Mhyre, who died in a workplace accident earlier this year, donated the leftover $4,000 from their own fundraiser to cover Mhyre’s funeral expenses.
“They donated it to us. To the railroad he loved,” Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad stated.
Other community members and railroad organizations have stepped up to bring railroad staff food, offered to do laundry, organized their own fundraisers, spread the word about the railroad’s plight and offered advice for moving forward.
“Yes, we’re devastated. We’re exhausted. We’ve cried more than once this week — from heartbreak, from frustration, but also from the moments of pure kindness and quiet joy that keep pushing us forward,” Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad stated.
Railroad still operating
The railroad also reminded patrons Tuesday that regular operations haven’t been impacted by the fire, and that booking a ticket for a RailCycle excursion or passenger train ride is one of the best ways to support the nonprofit right now.
“Truth be told though, ticket sales have taken a hit — many people assume we’re closed. Please help us correct that: we’re here, we’re open, and every ride makes a difference,” Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad stated.
The railroad is posting updates on the fire on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MtRainierRailroad.
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is owned and operated by the nonprofit Western Forest Industries Museum.
The sale of the railroad to Western Forest Industries Museum from its previous out-of-state, for-profit ownership, which closed the railroad in 2020, was finalized just hours before the fire broke out on April 30.
Western Forest Industries Museum operated the railroad under a lease agreement with its previous owner from September 2023 until the sale was finalized last week.
For more information about Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad or to book tickets, visit https://mtrainierrailroad.com/.
