Re: Random Observations
Author: Tom Moungovan
Date: 06-29-2009 - 11:18
There is additional info on the ex Rayonier 8 on T.O. This locomotive ran quite late as a spare to the diesels on the Clallam County operation of Rayonier, aka Sekiu Line. A seldom photographed operation, the 8 had an identical twin, the 9. When the big 2-6-6-2 14 was down for repairs or a boiler wash, the smaller 8 & 9 had to work double shifts to try to keep up with the logs. Jim Gertz, former Rayonier employee, told me that the 9 was a lot better to fire, but her boiler went sour late in the game, so the 8 was saved instead and worked on ballast trains and hauling logs into the summer of 1964. I do not believe that the 8 was used after that.
She and 75-3 class Willamette #2 were stored nose to nose at Hoko Camp for years. The 2 received grant monies and is enjoying a thorough rebuild at the shops in Mineral, WA of MRSR and should see steam again. There is a target date of sometime in August.