Nostalgia & History > Camp 6 Logging Museum Sold

For more information contact:
• Alan Macpherson, spokesman, Western Forest Industries Museum: 253-620-6468, amacpherson@gth-law.com
• Chris Baldo: chrisbaldo@willitsredwood.com


Camp 6 Logging Equipment Sold to Collector
The owners of the Camp 6 Logging Museum in Tacoma, Washington have sold the trains, logging equipment, and other pieces of equipment to a collector who is a founder of the Roots of Motive Power Inc., a logging history museum located in Willits, California.
The Western Forest Industries Museum (WFIM), which owns Camp 6, had searched for a person or organization to restore and maintain Camp 6 within Point Defiance Park. When no such entity was found, WFIM began a search for entities that could undertake the task of moving and preserving the historic logging artifacts of Camp 6. The WFIM board feels fortunate to have found a purchaser that can take responsibility for ensuring the artifacts are well cared for.
The board was pleased to find Chris Baldo because he values railroad memorabilia and is genuinely interested in preserving the equipment to the extent possible, said WFIM spokesman Alan Macpherson.
Baldo said that much of the Camp 6 historic logging equipment will go to the Roots of Motive Power Museum collection in Willits. A few pieces will be retained by the Western Forest Industries Museum, which owned the Camp 6 equipment and also owns the Mount Rainier Scenic Railway. Some artifacts will remain in Mr. Baldo’s personal collection, and some pieces will be made available to other logging and railroad history museums in the Pacific Northwest and to other individuals and companies interested in the long-term preservation of the history of the timber industry.
Chris Baldo has been involved in the lumber business since 1973, starting his career with a short stint with the Weyerhaeuser Company in Raymond, Washington. Mr. Baldo currently is a co-owner of Willits Redwood Company, a redwood sawmill. Mr. Baldo is an avid collector and operator of steam railroad and logging equipment.
The Western Forest Industries Museum (WFIM) closed the historic logging museum in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma last winter after dwindling revenues led to insufficient funds to operate the museum and maintain the equipment.
WFIM leases property in Point Defiance Park from Metro Parks for a nominal amount. That lease is set to expire in late 2012 when the collection has been relocated.
WFIM established the Camp 6 Logging Museum in 1964 as a living, hands-on demonstration of logging and railroad history from the 1880s through the 1940s.
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Any relation to the collection of equipment in the yard at Willits?

TCnR, You will need to talk to the good folks at Roots of Motive Power to find that answer. In Tacoma WA nothing has moved yet. As to the sale , as much as I hate to see the equipment leave here, it is at least going to a good new home where someday I may get to see it again. I will miss my 22 years of "baby sitting" a RR in my backyard. At least those of us that volunteered over the last 22 years kept the place open so that others could visit. I can not say enough to thank those volunteers. Remember that back in 1989 the museum would have closed down if Tacoma Chapter, NRHS volunteers had not stepped forward.

When was the last time that #7 was operated?

Last fired up the last day of Camp 6 Santa Train, Tacoma, Washington, the third Sunday in December 1989, after 60 years of combined logging and museum service. Removed from active service the following March (1990) for boiler repairs. Still have hope... Maybe at Roots of Motive Power ???