Good news! Our 6th month anniversary in the 557 Engine house turned into a milestone as the crew removed all but 3 of the 28 superheater flues and 130 fire tubes from the boiler. The three flues are left in place to stabilize the the fire box and smoke box flue sheets until some new tubes are in place. Only thing left now is to finish removing the stubs. Jeff Debroeck and Art Chase got heavy into the job working from the inside of the boiler to remove the lower tube nest and had the job done by 5:30 on Saturday.
The crew posed with the evidence of their work for an anniversary portrait. Four of these volunteers were present for the first day of work back on August 18, 2012.
Jerry Cunnington, Jeff DeBroeck, Pat Durand and Art Chase were joined by new comer Fred Tigner for the day. Art Chase drove down from Fairbanks to join the crew for a few days.
Pat Durand, Paul Tigner and Lynn Willis built the floor for the new office module. We now have a place to do 557 administrative work and keep things dry and clean.
Roy Foster showed up to remove about 6 inches of accumulated new snow from the parking lot. Funny he arrived just in time for Roundhouse stew. Conjecture was that the recipe is just what is around the house. We had several visitors during the day, some bringing donated supplies and others offering help in the fund raising effort.
On Sunday, February 17, Art crawled back inside the boiler to remove the loose accumulated scale in the bottom of the boiler a result of many years of hard water. Fortunately this was all dry flake, easily scooped, double bagged and then passed through the steam dome. Good clean work. I found out later at the land fill that the 12 bags of scale weighed 580 pounds.
Jeff DeBroeck came in for a few hours and removed several of the washout plugs. Two of the plugs had been hidden under the old jacket for at least 50 years and they are somewhat reluctant to come loose. The plugs have safe storage in cases built by Corey Brause of Small is Beautiful.
Here you can see the firebox with supporting stays and braces. Notice the bracing for the front tube sheet and the dry pipe in this view from inside. We are now in a position to conduct the ultrasound tests to measure the thickness of the boiler components. Soon, our consultant, Robert Franzen, of steam Services of America can complete the boiler evaluation and develop a work plan.
Exclusive of any other work, we know that the tubes and superheater flues will need to be replaced at considerable cost. Our very generous in-kind donors have carried this project forward and are committed to seeing 557 in steam. Now we need CASH donations to obtain the Rasmuson matching grant funds. Until there is $250.000.00 in the 557 Fund account, I will not engage Engine 557 Restoration Company in a contract for the required boiler work.
Over the past 6 months while up-fitting the bare warehouse space, acquiring basic tools and supplies we have spent $9,822.45. Another $10.000 paid for the annual insurance. As of February 18, 2013 volunteers logged 1,750 hours.
Cash on hand and accounts receivable in round numbers total $100,000.00 as of today. I am asking those of you who read these updates and obviously care about the project, please make a concerted effort to ASK for CASH donations. If we collect $75,000,00 the Rasmuson match will put us in good position going forward.
The 557 poster is intended to make donating easy. All the information needed is right there to write a check or make a donation on line.
Every effort is being made to keep the public informed at alaskarails.org. Use it creatively and send this link to all your mailing lists with your recommendation for a donation of $25.00 or more.
http://alaskarails.org/pix/former-loco/557/index.html
Thanks to you all that make it happen.
Patrick Durand
President, Engine 557 Restoration Company
