def get_readwrite_instance(cls, working_dir, restore=False, restore_block_height=None):
        """
        Get a read/write instance to the db, without the singleton check.
        Used for low-level operations like db restore.
        Not used in the steady state behavior of the system.
        """
        log.warning("!!! Getting raw read/write DB instance !!!")

        import virtualchain_hooks
        db_path = virtualchain.get_db_filename(virtualchain_hooks, working_dir)
        db = BlockstackDB(db_path, DISPOSITION_RW, working_dir, get_genesis_block())
        rc = db.db_setup()
        if not rc:
            if restore:
                # restore from backup instead of bailing out
                log.debug("Restoring from unclean shutdown")
                rc = db.db_restore(block_number=restore_block_height)
                if rc:
                    return db
                else:
                    log.error("Failed to restore from unclean shutdown")

            db.close()
            raise Exception("Failed to set up db")

        return db
Get a read/write instance to the db, without the singleton check.
        Used for low-level operations like db restore.
        Not used in the steady state behavior of the system.