PORT ANGELES — This Sunday, interested residents will be able to get an up-close view of the Rayonier No. 4, an old locomotive located in Port Angeles at Chase Street and Lauridsen Boulevard.
The engine was donated to the city in 1960 and is one of only six Willamette locomotives left in the world, according to prior reporting. Restoration efforts have been underway since 2023, and the project team is working through the second of four project phases.
Fundraising efforts for the other phases are ongoing as well.
The “Restore the 4” event will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Carver Room at the Port Angeles library. Steve Hauff, a local historian and expert on Willamette logging locomotives, will present the engine’s history.
After that, the group will walk to the corner of Lauridsen Boulevard and Chase Street to get a close look at the locomotive, which has been mostly closed to the public.
Individuals should dress and plan for a short outdoor walk in variable weather conditions, according to a press release.
Volunteers onsite will answer questions, accept donations and sell some merchandise to raise money for the locomotive’s continued restoration.
Next steps for the project include media blasting, lead paint removal, metal work, building a protective shelter and more. After that is completed, the Restore the 4 team plans to add a period appropriate log car to the site and turn the area into a more functional park.
Individuals can visit restorethe4.org or email FixThe4@yahoo.com to learn more.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
