A note from our Executive Director

Hello!

Thank you for expressing an interest in volunteering for Western Forest Industries Museum! As you are likely aware, WFIM, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has reformed to protect, preserve, and maintain in operable condition, the assets of Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. Our organization has a big vision, but we plan to take a phased approach to reopen the railroad, expand the museum, and move the depot to Eatonville.  

In total transparency, the organization’s resources are currently very limited. WFIM (MRSR) currently has three employees: Brian Wise our Roadmaster; and Tom Payne, our renaissance man of many talents (or as he would say, general laborer), and myself – WFIM’s Executive Director. Our financial resources are also limited – although, we have secured grant funding for very specific projects related to opening RailCycle Mt. Rainier – a rail bike operation that will run from Park Junction to Mineral, in Spring 2023. The purpose of RailCycle Mt. Rainier is to use the profits from its operation to fund the restoration of our steam locomotives, and railroad operations.

Requirements for volunteering:

The tourist railroad world has changed dramatically in the past five years. Due to safety incidents at tourist railroads, the potential hazard of starting fires, and other operational challenges, insurance premiums have doubled, or in some cases tripled, if insurance is able to be obtained at all. It’s important that we share this information because while we have obtained coverage, our insurers are requiring additional controls from railroad operations that will utilize volunteer labor. In order to meet their requirements, we will need to conduct background checks on volunteers (flags on your background check may not preclude you from volunteering, but will be examined on a case-by-case basis, in conjunction with our insurance broker), and we will need to conduct training on any operating equipment, for railway worker programs, etc. We are aware (and appreciative) that many volunteers have significant railroad or construction experience, but we will still need to test and certify skills on our railroad. Many pieces of training (chainsaw operation, forklift, etc.) will be able to be conducted online and as short as watching a 10-minute video and taking a quiz. It is our intent to strike a balance between satisfying reasonable insurance and safety requirements, and ensuring that volunteering for MRSR is still an accessible, fun experience, creating as minimal a “red-tape” burden on volunteers as possible.

Weekend work parties:

To begin – we plan to host about one-weekend work party per month. These work parties will prioritize projects that can be tackled and that help Brian & Tom check things off their extensive to-do list. To start, projects will likely involve taking care of the log camp buildings and doing work on the grounds. We’re guessing that the 70 is the first engine we’ll tackle – it was in good operational condition when the railroad was shut down in 2019, but it’s coming up on a1472, and it makes sense to do this prior to operation. Project lists and project managers will be advertised ahead of the work party weekend – and we’ll get a headcount of attendees so we can BBQ and feed the folks getting dirty and helping us out! We’re anticipating the first work party will happen towards the end of October or early November.

We could use some help now!

We’re actively and aggressively applying for grant funding. Currently, we’re working on a federal grant through the bipartisan infrastructure bill – Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. We’re asking the Town of Eatonville to partner with us on the grant application – and there are a few council members reluctant to do so. We would love for people to email the town council, or speak at the council meeting on Monday, September 26th, at 7pm at the Eatonville Community Center. You can find more info on our blog: https://wfim.org/blog

Thank you!

Thank you for expressing an interest in volunteering – particularly at the start of MRSR’s rebirth – before there are engines to fire, and passengers to carry. I am thrilled that we’ve been able to keep WFIM’s collection intact, that the locomotives weren’t sold to various entities, and that the museum will be opened again for folks to enjoy well into the future. There’s a lot of work to do and I am incredibly aware of the value of volunteers in accomplishing our goals.

Feel free to reach out at any time – I’d love to get to know the folks interested in helping. My email is bethan.maher@wfim.org and my cell is (315) 404-2685.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 Bethan