Off the Rails with Rowdy and Bethan
Join Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Executive Director Bethan Maher and Superintendent Rowdy Pierce and take a ride into the modern age of steam locomotives, cows, corn and incontinent Santas. This is an unvarnished look at the business of tourist steam railroads like you've never heard before.
Podcasting since 2025 • 5 episodes
Off the Rails with Rowdy and Bethan
Latest Episodes
Episode 5 Milepost Zero: Origin Stories and Tourist Railroad Basics.
This week our ringmasters detail their entry to the three-ring circus, known as heritage railroading. Bethan’s accidental journey to Executive Director, Rowdy’s childhood fascination that turned into a lifetime on the rails. This ep...
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1:01:59
Episode 4:Good Vibes on the 1472 Waiver
Can a 1472 waiver spark joy? Rowdy and Bethan turn FRA fine print into a darned good listen—mixing wisdom and Monty Python with their game plan for marketing the madness on social media, YouTube, and wherever railfans scroll. Climb aboard for g...
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53:38
Episode 3: Heritage Rail Alliance 2025 Conference Recap
Fresh off the 2025 Heritage Rail Alliance Conference in Durango, Colorado, Rowdy and Bethan sat down to record before they’d even unpacked. They cover the week’s train trips, seminars, and share a few thoughts on what they’d like to see at futu...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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58:20
Episode 2: The impact of politics and a weakening economy on tourism and the rails.
The impact of politics and a weakening economy on tourism and a heritage railroad. Did you know that running our steam engine is significantly less expensive and more environmentally friendly to operate than our diesel engine...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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53:17
The Introduction: The Business of Heritage Railroads
Join Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Superintendent Rowdy Pierce and Executive Director Bethan Maher in this first episode of Off the Rails! Why DO they have a podcast? Listen and you'll learn the answer to that very valid question and so muc...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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31:33