Rayonier Willamette #2
News, information, updates and photos of Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad's Willamette #2
On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 7:28 PM, history was made at the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. To be more precise, history was brought to life as the very last locomotive built by the Willamette Iron & Steel Works of Portland, OR, (construction number 34, ex-Rayonier, Inc. #2, nee-J. Niels Lumber Company #6 built in December, 1929) took its “first steps” down the shop track after an intensive rebuild that began on September 8, 2007. The first run of the 75-ton locomotive was the culmination of more than $350,000 worth of materials and labor provided by MRSR staff, volunteers and contractors.
Our Willamette #2 was saved from the scrap heap and donated to MRSR by Mr. Jim Gertz of Pt. Angeles, WA, and in gratitude of his efforts to preserve this rare locomotive for future generations to enjoy, Mr. Gertz was given the honor of pulling the throttle for the first time. It did not require much arm twisting to get Jim into the right-hand seat, but we did have to encourage him to blow the whistle a bit! When everyone was at the ready with their cameras, the sign was given and Jim moved the reverser lever forward, released the brakes, pulled the throttle back, and once again “the Deuce” was back among the ranks of the world’s operable steam locomotives. After a hiatus of almost 50 years, folks young and young at heart can once again experience a real live Willamette geared logging locomotive!
For additional information on Rayonier #2, please see the following links:
Rayonier #2 Blog
Rayonier #2 Historical Information
Rayonier #2 Photo Galleries: