Rhinelander Lions contribute to restoration of locomotive

Rhinelander Mayor Dick Johns recently accepted a $1,000 check from Rhinelander Lions Club representative Don Frederickson for restoration of a historic locomotive. Looking on are Dennis Hastreiter, John Nevins, Augden Windeborn, alderperson Sherri Belliveau and Gunder Paulsen, director of the Rhinelander Parks Department. The Rhinelander display locomotive was built and ordered in 1926 by the Thunder Lake Lumber Company from Baldwin locomotive works of Philadelphia, Pa., according to a Lions Club press release. Of the locomotives operated by the Thunder Lake Lumber Company it was the only one purchased new by Thunder Lake Lumber Co. After serving until the closure of Thunder Lake Lumber Company's Rhinelander mill, #5 was sold to a mining company in Mexico. In the 1960s this locomotive was purchased and returned to the United States, and was located at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado. The Thunder Lake Locomotive #7 that had been displayed at the Rhinelander Logging Museum, was traded for the #5, and Thunder Lake Lumber Company #5 was returned to the Rhinelander Logging museum. Museum officials would appreciate additional contributions to the restoration of this locomotive.

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• November 22, 2016