MRSR Test runs the Willamette

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3011

On Saturday, August 1st, 2009, for the first time in 48 years, Rayonier Willamette #2 moved under her own power. With Jim Gertz, the man who donated the locomotive to Mt Rainier Scenic RR, at the throttle, the engine makes her first test run after a long restoration. The tests went well, and the engine is on track for her public debut at Mt Rainier Scenic RR on August 8th.

The 3 truck Willamette closely resembles a 3 truck Pacific Coast Shay, but it was built by Willamette Iron and Steel rather than Lima.

http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/sh ... hoto/60481

tomgears · **Posted:** Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:50 am

Great news. What an awesome restoration job! Thanks for posting.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:28 pm

Looking at the cab interior photo, I assume the lever at the ceiling is the whistle. Why are whistle levers always at awkward locations, requiring subsequent addition of a rope and pull from a pulley on the ceiling? The current whistle would appear to require the engineer to get up and reach forward.