By Justin Franz
Washington’s Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad recently began restoring a 2-8-2 built by the H.K. Porter Company to operation. Locomotive 5, originally constructed for Flora Logging Co.’s Carlton & Coast Railroad, was one of the largest Porter locomotives ever built.
Locomotive 5 was once the MRSR’s primary locomotive in the 1980s and 1990s, but it was taken out of service in the early 2000s. In the years that followed, the tourist railroad was sold to a for-profit organization and then shuttered at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, it was revived by the reconstituted Western Forest Industries Museum, the same non-profit that originally ran it beginning in 1980. The railroad operates excursions on a stretch of former Milwaukee Road trackage. In recent years, the railroad has used Polson Logging Co. 2-8-2 70 as its primary steam power. But now it would like to add a second Mikado to the fleet.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to expand capacity and further our dual missions of historic preservation and positive local economic impact, the restoration of Porter No. 5 is a crucial milestone,” said Executive Director Bethan Maher. “This project not only honors the legacy of this remarkable locomotive but also pays tribute to the dedicated volunteers and preservationists who have worked tirelessly to keep our railroad heritage alive.”
Locomotive 5 as it appeared working for the Port of Grays Harbor in the 1940s. Photo Courtesy of the Western Forest Industries Museum.
The Carlton & Coast was built to haul logs in western Oregon. It purchased a 2-8-2 from Porter, initially numbered 11 and then renumbered 55, in 1924. The locomotive was used for 15 years before being abandoned. The locomotive was sold to the Port of Grays Harbor in Washington in 1942. It was there the locomotive received the number 5. It was later put on display in Montesano, Wash. In the 1980s, the locomotive was restored and became a mainstay of the MRSR fleet. During that initial restoration, the locomotive also received a Vanderbilt-style tender.
Since MRSR reopened in 2023, the railroad has moved more than 22,000 passengers and it’s now looking for additional motive power to share the load with Polson 70. The group has already secured some of the estimated $549,500 it will cost to restore locomotive 5. It presently has a goal to raise $318,125 to cover driving gear, running gear, boiler work, and cosmetic enhancements.
“This is a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to be part of something truly special,” added Maher. “Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on the success of this project and the preservation of our railway heritage.”
To learn more about the restoration project and how to contribute, please visit wfim.org. A GoFundMe page has also been established.
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