| In early 1989 the State of Washington held a celebration and games in Wenatchee WA. BN allowed SP 4-8-4 4449 and Mt Ranier Scenic RR's little logging 2-8-2 no.5 to participate, which required them to traverse the Cascade Mountains. Routine steam had not been seen over Steven's Pass since when the GN put electrics to work through the new tunnel in the 1930s. The weather was dark on both transit days, but that didn't stop a legion of railfans from chasing both trains. While the SP Northern had diesel help to get through the tunnel the small Mike was allowed to go it alone. Here MRSR 5 is at Berne and about to enter the east end of the tunnel. The road put a GN herald on the locomotive's tender for its adventure. |