On February 9, 2013 the Saturday work party commenced at 9 a.m. when Ron Dudley, Lynn Willis, Fred Tigner, Dick Morris, Jeff DeBroeck and Pat Durand pressed ahead assembling the last of the pallet shelving donated by Central Environmental Services. All the shelves are decked with plywood over 2X4 spanners. As can be seen here in photos by Dick Morris, the floor has been cleared of clutter with items stored and organized.

The first level of shelving is being left open and outfitted as work bench areas devoted to breaking down appliances and fittings for rebuild. Lighting is being added over these areas.

During the day Mr. Tom Hammond and his wife, Jayne, dropped in for a visit. Tom is one of the boiler maintenance crew for Providence Hospital in Anchorage and a long time pipe fitter. He is ready to put his skills to work for 557. Jayne offered up a donation of 10 four ft. four tube florescent light fixtures to complete lighting our work spaces. They are taking up space in her garage. We look forward to adding the Hammonds to our 557 Volunteer Crew. Thank them when you see them.

Dick Morris added a much needed safety railing to the end of the firing deck. Willis and Tigner got training in the firebox with DeBroeck as he trimmed out five more superheater flues for removal.

Here you can see Jeff using a come-a-long to pull a superheater flue through the tube sheet on the firebox end. Finishing this job and moving on to cleaning the inside of the boiler is our immediate goal. Then the required ultrasound testing of the boiler shell and flue sheets can proceed.

There is one fall back job to fill any spare minutes volunteers might encounter. A work station has been set up to clean all the valve motion assembly and the connecting rods. These parts need to be brought to bright polished steel for inspection. Here I am scraping paint from the valve motion links looking for part numbers. It's all good clean fun.

Gary Feaster, at Greatland Welding and Machine upon review of our 557 wish list, responded with his own list of donated items and equipment he can loan us as needed. A Rigid 300 pipe threader with a 6" vice, an acorn table and a 400 amp three phase stick welder are being loaned. A heavy duty hand truck is being donated. Greatland also manufactured and donated the heavy steel horses used in the rod cleaning station.

Pyle National lights the way for 557. Appropriately the first restored subassembly is the headlight. In-kind donors Roteq Alaska sand blasted and painted the case, Glacier Glass provide the Pyrex side glass, TriJet Manufacturing water jet cut the number board masks. We were able to obtain the proper curved glass cover for $150.00 from Matt Jannsen. Elbow grease completed the job in my home shop.

Visitors are welcome, but we need a call in advance at 907 350 4340 to coordinate a time when someone can be available to provide a tour. Expect to be asked for a donation as we leave no opportunity to further the project untested.

Meanwhile, you can check in anytime at alaskarails. org and visit 557 for updates.

If you like the progress you see, please make a donation of $25.00 or more to the Alaska Community Foundation 557 Fund. If you are not satisfied with the progress, make a bigger donation as the only thing holding the project back will be cash. Remember the Rasmuson grant will match you donation. If you have questions about the project after reading all about us on alaskarails.org feel free to contact me personally at 907 350 4340.

Thanks for your continuing interest in The Engine 557 Restoration Company progress.

Patrick J. Durand President,
Engine 557 Restoration Company