September went by like grade crossing lights observed from the club car at 60 mph. These are exciting times as we transition from deconstruction of 557 and just cleaning parts to the actual jobs of repair and assembly.
The sand blast tent has been busy cleaning parts to bare metal for inspection. Loose scale, paint and dirt are removed before work gets into the tent so media can be used about three times. Ron Dudley has had the duty of 2nd hand supporting the guy with the gun keeping things going smoothly. James Ogden usually dons the positive air hood and cape. Here I am taking a turn in the gear where full protective gear is mandatory.
Drivers ready to go to the wheel shop are the result. All bearing surfaces were well protected during the process. Central Environmental Services loaned us the pot blaster and a 180 CFM diesel powered compressor to do the job.
Some components cannot be contaminated by sand blasting such as the driving boxes which were all hand cleaned by Ron Dudley and Lynn Willis. These same two clean freaks are responsible for the Flashing Rods on display here.
The locomotive cab is being reassembled after sand blasting and painting by Roteq Alaska. The new liner of precut and finished white oak was provided by Alaska Wood Moulding Company. Rodney Shumacher is helping install the pre-finished hunter green oak on the roof bows provided by Corey Brause of Small is Beautiful. Jerry Cunnington and several other crew members all got in on the cab project as it came together for a special occasion.
Temporary lettering in the form of magnetic panels produced by L&B Printing, identified the cab. The class information indicates, C for consolidation type, 141 thousand pounds with 19" bore and 26" stroke. The completed cab with glazing from Glacier Glass and primer from Rhoda Paint became the Company Store during the NRHS convention in Alaska.
Sunday September 22, 2013 was a very successful day at the 557 Engine House. 140 members of the National Railway Historical Society were guests of Engine 557 Restoration Company.
Arriving in three bus loads rail fans were greeted by 18 enthusiastic volunteers putting our restoration project firmly in the mind of Society members from all over the country. Gerry Keffer and Nan Peters greeted all three buses with Werther's Hard Candies (in memory of Monte Holm) along with our donor information on a greeting card. Thank Lee Darling, manager of Carrs in Eagle River for the supply of Werthers! Ninety eight guests took time to sign the visitors log.
After a brief orientation of welcome and introduction to our many in-kind donors I explained the funding process for Engine 557 Restoration Company and asked for financial support on the individual level which will be matched dollar for dollar by the Rasmuson Foundation grant. Guests were encouraged to mingle and talk with 557 Board Treasurer, Dick Morris, 557 CMO, Jeff DeBroeck and all the volunteers at various work stations ready to explain what has been done and where we go from here.
Art Chase, "557 boiler rat" assumed his position standing between the frames explaining all the numbers, chalk lines and plans to replace the firebox interior. Art was the only guy small enough to get through the firebox door before the frame was removed.
Lynn Willis has been with the project from the very beginning as a regular volunteer. He became information central directing people to those in the crew with answers. (looks like he might have met his missing twin brother there on the right).
Inside the Company Store, Joyce Dudley and Dotty Elmore got the most out of the Company store in less than three hours with $968.00 in donations! The big sellers were old ARR timetables and 2014 ARRC calendars featuring Locomotive 557. We now have more in stock.
Electrons were rearranged in every corner of the 557 Engine House to record the most insignificant details, in this case the focus is on the driving box cellars.
Concentration was lost as the crowd moved outside to capture a north bound Princes Special, the last one of the year. 557 Mechanical Department official work breaks start when ever the nearby grade crossing bell starts ringing.
Cameras captured a once in a life time experience, as very few individuals will ever see the intimate details of a steam locomotive in the way we were able to display 557 for our visitors from the National Railway Historical Society. All those cameras and we missed the chance to capture our 18 very active volunteers in a group shot. These folks were on hand but avoided the camera of Stewart Sterling, Jerry and Nan Peters, Fred Tigner, Ken Elmore, Jeff DeBroeck, Dick Morris, Richard and Gail Clinch.
NRHS President Greg Malloy, gave our group very high marks, not just for the hospitality but for the obviously well organized project. I trust that those volunteer workers on hand repeatedly experienced the same positive feed back. "I'll be back when she is running." was a common statement. Kind words were reinforced with a deposit of just over $3000.00 on Monday with the Alaska Community Foundation 557 fund to be matched by The Rasmuson Foundation.
It was a very enjoyable day for me and affirmed for the crew that we are going in the right direction with our effort. A proposal will be generated for the next round of NRHS competitive grants while all this effort is fresh in memory.
Now to turn a page while speaking of grants, the Alaska Community Foundation on behalf of Engine 557 Restoration Company, has just forwarded two $10.000.00 grant requests prepared by our volunteers.
The Trains Magazine Preservation Grant request is due on October 4th
The Kenai Mountains -Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area was due on October 1st.
If we are successful the Rasmuson Foundation matching grant will once again come into play. So wish us luck. (Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.)
As September mornings became frosty, we got word that an overhead gas heater is going to be installed to keep the Engine house above freezing this winter. We are still trying to get the door installed.
A surprise visit closed out the month when the Alaska Railroad Corporation President and CEO, Mr. Christopher Aadnesen came out to greet the crew and see progress. This project would never have been taken on without the foresight of Mr. Aadnesen, a true railroader. He is leaving Alaska but we will keep him a place of honor along with Monte Holm and the Jensen brothers.
Now for the ask. Please send your tax deductible donations of $25.00 or a bunch more to the
Alaska Community Foundation 557 fund
3201 C street Suite 110
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
If you become aware of grant opportunities, or corporate employee matching programs please let us know. We do need the services of a Funding Development Manager i.e. fund raiser to accelerate and properly prospect funding sources.
Together we will see 557 back in steam. Dream Steam!.
Patrick Durand, President
Engine 557 Restoration Company
