Notice2025-23403
Mt. Rainier Railroad LLC-Acquisition and Change of Operator Exemption-City of Tacoma, Department of Public Works d/b/a Tacoma Rail Mountain Division, and City of Tacoma, Department of Public Utilities d/b/a Tacoma Rail
Primary source
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Published
December 19, 2025
Issuing agencies
Surface Transportation Board
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 59635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23403]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. FD 36898]
Mt. Rainier Railroad LLC--Acquisition and Change of Operator
Exemption--City of Tacoma, Department of Public Works d/b/a Tacoma Rail
Mountain Division, and City of Tacoma, Department of Public Utilities
d/b/a Tacoma Rail
Mt. Rainier Railroad LLC (MRSR), a noncarrier, has filed a verified
notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to: (1) acquire from the City
of Tacoma, Wash., Department of Public Works d/b/a Tacoma Rail Mountain
Division (TRMW) and operate approximately 33.59 miles of rail line
extending from milepost 32.0M at Eatonville, Wash., to milepost 65.59M
at Morton, Wash. (the Line); and (2) replace the City of Tacoma,
Department of Public Utilities d/b/a Tacoma Rail (Tacoma Rail) as the
common carrier service provider on the Line, thereby terminating Tacoma
Rail's common carrier status with respect to the Line.
According to the verified notice, MRSR is a subsidiary holding of
the Western Forest Industries Museum (WFIM), and is not affiliated with
any railroad common carriers.\1\ The verified notice states that MRSR
and TRMW have reached an agreement pursuant to which MRSR will purchase
the Line from TRMW and, upon consummation of the transaction, assume
exclusive common carrier operations over the Line in place of Tacoma
Rail. The verified notice, which describes TRMW and Tacoma Rail as
sister divisions of the City of Tacoma, further states that Tacoma Rail
is a party to the proposed transaction and concurs with the proposed
change of common carrier operator on the Line.
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\1\ The verified notice states that WFIM controls the Mt.
Rainier Scenic Railroad, a non-common carrier tourist excursion
operation.
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MRSR certifies that it will not be contractually limited in its
ability to interchange traffic with any third-party connecting carrier.
MRSR further certifies that its projected annual revenues will not
exceed $5 million and will not result in MRSR's becoming a Class I or
Class II rail carrier. Under 49 CFR 1150.32(b), a change in operator
requires that notice be given to shippers. MRSR states that there are
currently no shippers to notify of the transaction and explains that
the Line is currently inactive and has not been used by a shipper for
over a year.
The earliest this transaction may be consummated is January 4,
2026, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified
notice was filed). MRSR states that it will consummate the transaction
and offer common carrier service in place of Tacoma Rail on or after
this date.
If the verified notice contains false or misleading information,
the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption
under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a
petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the
exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than December 26,
2025 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36898, must be filed with
the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing on the Board's
website or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC
20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on
MRSR's representative, Robert A. Wimbish, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29
North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606-3208.
According to MRSR, this action is categorically excluded from
environmental review under 49 CFR1105.6(c) and from historic
preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
Board decisions and notices are available at <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a>.
Decided: December 16, 2025.
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief
Counsel.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2025-23403 Filed 12-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 19, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.