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Restore the 4

Published 1:30 am Thursday, November 23, 2023

Rayonier Inc held its annual Community Fund Breakfast on Nov. 1 in Forks. Their Community Fund was the second donor for the project, pledging $2,000 a year for four years. Rayonier not only presented a check for the second installment of their pledge, but having seen so much community support, also raised their contribution by an additional $500. In case you don’t know, Rayonier is structured as a Real Estate Investment Trust, which means that substantially all their earnings must (by law) be paid out to their shareholders each year — and they cannot deduct charitable contributions. So, while the numbers don’t seem all that big to many folks, these are very big numbers for Rayonier. A big thank you to Judith Stipe, of North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders and the Sequim Museum, for attending the breakfast, receiving the check, and for presenting to the attendees about our project!

Rayonier Inc held its annual Community Fund Breakfast on Nov. 1 in Forks. Their Community Fund was the second donor for the project, pledging $2,000 a year for four years. Rayonier not only presented a check for the second installment of their pledge, but having seen so much community support, also raised their contribution by an additional $500. In case you don’t know, Rayonier is structured as a Real Estate Investment Trust, which means that substantially all their earnings must (by law) be paid out to their shareholders each year — and they cannot deduct charitable contributions. So, while the numbers don’t seem all that big to many folks, these are very big numbers for Rayonier. A big thank you to Judith Stipe, of North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders and the Sequim Museum, for attending the breakfast, receiving the check, and for presenting to the attendees about our project!

“Groundbreaking” could be near for the project to restore the Port Angeles 1924 Willamette locomotive. Up first on the project is the removal of the hazardous asbestos insulation that wraps #4’s boiler. The City of Port Angeles had committed $50,000 for this work. The Parks Department sent out a request for bids several weeks ago. The lowest bid was $58,000. The PA City Parks Director will take a contract to the City Council for approval. Assuming it is approved, the contractor is expected to get started soon.

“Restore the 4” video production

Rayonier, KOMO-TV (Seattle WA), and the Polson Museum (Hoquiam, WA) all donated rights to some of their film, and it has been edited into a two-and-a-half-hour production. Visit www.restorethe4.org/video for more details including stills from the films. There are also nearly 150 still images of Rayonier rail operations and hardware. The whole production is available for sale NOW, via eBay: Restore The 4! video collection – End of an Era and other titles, photos, ebooks | eBay. These will make a great holiday gift!

So far the total received and pledged for the project is up to $18,861.66! The goal is $100,000.

Not everyone who supports the project is able to contribute, a guestbook has been set up where folks can show support simply by lending their names to the project. An anonymous pledge was received for $1 (up to $750) per person who signs the guestbook at the project website www.restorethe4.org/Guestbook. So far, 203 people have signed.

Please remember to visit www.restorethe4.org for more on the project. Donations, of any amount, are appreciated.

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