Wal-Mart Opens in Shelton, Wash., Raising Hopes from Timber Recession. (Originated from The Tacoma News Tribune, Wash.)

SHELTON, Wash.--Oct. 18--Tollie, a retired 90-ton steam locomotive, has stood proudly next to Railroad Avenue for 11 years. It's Shelton's ironclad salute to its proud logging tradition.

Today, a new tradition rumbles in about three miles to the north - and it's already caused about as much commotion as the old steamer's staccato bark.

Shelton's own Wal-Mart officially opens today. But the residents have been buzzing since Saturday, when the store staged a sneak preview to break in the new employees.

"It was like the Puyallup Fair without the smell of the onions," said Gayle Volk, the new store's customer-service manager. "This store is such a nice shot in the arm" for the region's hard-pressed economy.

The blare of …