Maybe it is just the perspective of a 70 year old but the last month came and went in a flurry of work at the 557 Engine Houses, fund raising meetings and public presentations.   Visitors to the engine house regularly comment on the progress they perceive so things must be happening.   Volunteers of the 557 Mechanical Department are here working in response to the regular work calls at least 4 days per week.  Being here in the middle of it all I need to make a list to grasp it.

Alaska Industrial Xray President,  Peter Miller, has provided all the tools and techniques required for non destructive testing on the boiler and firebox as well as on the driving axles and pins.   His generous in-kind donation of ultrasound equipment has saved 557 major expense for this work.

Ultrasound testing  has been started on the tender side sheets, with Jerry Peters and Ken Elmore picking up the job between electrician chores.    The new ceiling mounted gas furnace installed by the Alaska Railroad keeps the building at about 40 degrees, comfortable working temperature.   Ceiling fans help keep the air moving and avoids condensation.

Preparing the four driver sets for shipment to the Tennesee Valley Railroad Museum for machine work absorbed over 300 man hours in the past few months.   Removing old paint,  rust and grease, sand blasting 70 years of accumulated stuff from the spokes and wheel centers then uncovering the original markings and measuring all the critical dimensions seemed like an endless job.  Using dye penetrant testing looking for cracks was serious business as reflected in the faces of Jeff DeBroeck CMO,  Ron Dudley and Dean Sawyer.     When these drivers left the factory they were bound for war and no attempt was made to remove casting parting marks of foundry goobers which could create  future stress points.   These were carefully removed, and then a final sandblast just before receiving a two part epoxy primer, Coverdale Clova Prime 21 as supplied by Rodda Paint here in Wasilla.

Axle bearing surfaces and rod pins were coated with marine grease wrapped in wax paper and then covered with custom made wood protective covers.  Drivers prepared for shipment with custom cradles made for each axle set to ensure safe handling along the way.    Alaska West Express and Lynden provided the transport to Chattanooga in a soft side 40ft trailer.  Phil Cole at Roteq Alaska came through with a JD 744 loader with forks to load the drivers, which in their cradles were more than our little forklift could handle.  Temperatures were around 2° F when the job was completed about 7:30 pm on December 2, 2013.

George Fellows is retired Navy with years of experience in calibration labs and rebuilding steam valves.   He is now the first volunteer to arrive each morning and is systematically going through our inventory from starter valves and injectors to try cocks, cleaning and repairing and repacking as required.

Jim Keener and Dean Sawyer have become regular go too volunteers, persevering while needle gunning the frame, cylinder block and pilot deck extension.   We always have dirty jobs and they step up with Lynn Willis and Ron Dudley to see them done.

Roger Hickle Construction has donated the demolition and preparation of the opening for the new roll up 14 ft door in the South Wall.   Sampson steel donated the steel, and Arctic Sun Concrete cutting demolished the wall.   When the dust settles we will be able to slide 557's boiler and frame outside for some work.

Chief Mechanical Officer, Jeff DeBrock has been working with Jerry Cunnington and RonDudley to remove stay bolts from the crown sheet and side sheets.   This is all in preparation of replacing the crown and side sheets along with the interior rear door sheet with new 7/16 material.   The rear flue sheet will also be replaced with new 1/2 inch material to a work plan from Robert Franzen of Steam Services of America.   Contracts for this work and the new tubes and Superheater flues are in place.

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area has awarded a $10,000.00 grant to the Alaska Community Foundation 557 fund.   This will reimburse the fund for the $10,000 down payment on the new boiler tubes and flues.   Gathered in the ACF offices to finalize details of the grant were Pat Durand,  Kaylene Johnson KTMA Program manager, Janet McCabe KTMA President and Anne Remick Program Manager for 557 with The Alaska Community Foundation.    The 557 will contribute to the historical context of the KMTA heritage area when the whistle once again echoes off the Turnagain cliffs.

The 557 owes its future here at home in Alaska to several dedicated individuals who share a  vision for seeing her in steam and on the rails demonstrating our Railroad Heritage.   None more important than former President and CEO, Christopher Aadnesen.   As a small token of our appreciation the Engine 557 crew, presented Chris with a memory board on his departure from Alaska.    The oak base is from the 557 cab liner, the bolts and nuts represent the restoration process from rust to finish.   Lets work toward the day we can send him an invitation to the first run under steam.

In recognition of our 557 Mechanical Department Volunteers, we have obtained prizes that are awarded in a drawing on the first of each month.  Each days participation in the 557 Engine house, puts a ticket in the drawing box.  Novembers winner was Mr. Lynn Willis.   December the ticket for two on the Alaska Railroad goes to Mr. Jerry Cunnington.

Our ability to continue with the required contract work depends on developing regular fund raising strategies.   Major donations are needed to capture the remaining $188,000.00 in the very generous Rasmuson matching grant by July 2014.   We currently have about $30,000.00 to submit for another match.   So make your tax deductible donation to The Alaska Community Foundation 557 Fund today.

The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, a 501c(3) is sponsoring a Raffle for Engine 557 Restoration Company.   All the details are in the flyer on the home page.  Get the family together, or your poker partners and buy at least one ticket.   You get to fill all 16 seats on the Denali with your friends for a great extended day trip.

If you need a tour guide, I will happily go along for the ride.

Patrick J. Durand,  President
Engine 557 Restoration Company