As reported last month the 57" drivers, were transported back to Alaska from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum shops thanks to Alaska West Express. On inspection all the new bearing surfaces were found properly protected with the covers we provided for the south bound shipment. We thank the good folks at TVRM for the professional job done under the supervision of Robert Franzen of Steam Services of America. Now the crew will be busy cleaning drivers in preparation of a fresh coat of epoxy primer, and finish paint including white tires.

With the return of warmer weather work continued on the tender which was built by Lima for use behind one of their USATC 0-6-0 switchers. It was then diverted to support a Brownhoist steam crane also built for the USATC. Several adaptations were removed from the tender in preparation for service behind 557.

To get tender bunker access, the plasma cutter was used to open panels on each side of the water legs. Here Terry Douglas is needle scaling in the lower opening. Lynn Willis finds work much easier standing up right than kneeling on the floor in the dirt. After needle scaling, each interior section will be sand blasted, cleaned, and painted with Apexior 3 for corrosion protection in cold water. The final step will be turning the tender upright and then doing the floor (actually the interior left side).

Welcome another in-kind donor, Slayden Plumbing and Heating. Rich and Mike have assisted with several fabrications including stainless steel screens for the water delivery lines between the injectors and tender. They also rolled the stainless steel parts for the water strainers which are mounted inside the tender over the discharge valves going to the injectors. The original screens were of course not stainless. We harvested the old handles then fabricated all new components for the fuel bunker basket strainer assembled by Slayden Plumbing and Heating. This is designed to capture your cell phone, glasses and large chunks that may be found in the recycled crank case oil used to fuel 557.

Looking through the backhead firebox door, you can see the new rear flue sheet hanging in place for a trial fit. The four tubes extending from each corner provide reference measurements to the front flue sheet. Those "gauge" tubes were assembled by Jerry Cunnington and Mike Mckervey.

With the drivers out of the way and the fire pan removed, firebox access allows placement of the sheets in the opening with the fork lift. Then three 1 ton chain hoists are used to position the sheets for fitting.

Our project Professional Engineer, Robert Franzen, standing at the left in this photo, is reviewing the draft Form 4 for the 557 boiler. Dick Morris, Secretary/Treasurer; Pat Durand, President and Jeff DeBroeck, Chief Mechanical Officer listen up. Our brain trust, such as it is, benefits greatly from our association with Steam Services of America as Jeff and Robert are in regular consultation.

Building special fixtures to achieve proper results with machine tools is a regular part of the overhaul. Here is a mount for the mag drill which in turn drives a large hardened mandrel with a 45 degree angle face. With careful alignment the mandrel is used to lap the seat in the cast iron turret. This will insure a proper seal on the brass coupling when the turret is attached to the boiler shell and the auxiliary steam delivery pipe.

The original tender truck side frames are being converted from friction bearings to roller bearings. The side frames are being machined to clear the new Timken bearings we purchased, using adaptors found in surplus.

We recently acquired 10 spring packs for EMD E units and found a new home for them with Iowa Pacific who rosters a fleet of E units. Considering the springs were bound for scrap we were glad to see them redirected to productive use. Jeff and crew are shown preparing to install the top on a custom pallet crate for the 7800 pound shipment.

Locomotive 556 was a coal burning sister of 557 and is currently on display on Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage at 9th and E street. For many years the whistle and safety valves have been missing. Using 557 whistle components as reference our volunteers have fabricated replacements for 556 from steel. They are painted with the Rodda black paint specified by the City of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department. Hopefully the copper and brass “collectors” will not confuse them with the real thing.

556 in turn will help out sister 557 by providing the buffer and chaffing plate between the tender and locomotive. 556 will receive fabricated replacements to maintain her monumental appearance.

Kindergarten and first grade students from the Midnight Sun Family Learning Center along with many of their parents visited with 557 on April 17th. They were most impressed when selected students got to ring our bells. They chose the brass bell hand me down from an Alaska railroad class 200 mogul, from among the three options to adorn 557 when she goes into steam. They were invited to come and volunteer when 557 is ready for her next 1472 day or 15 year inspection, when most of them will be in their mid 20’s. The tour was arranged by one of the dads who also is an officer with the Alaska Railroad Police Department. Thanks Johnny!

You can help us move the project forward. Please promote and encourage financial support of Engine 557 Restoration Company. Go now to the DONATE menu to discover all the ways you participate in the most difficult part of the restoration, raising the money. Our all volunteer Mechanical Department Crew can only proceed as fast as the funding is acquired.

Come visit when you can.

Patrick J. Durand, President

Make all donations to: Engine 557 Restoration Company at the above address.
An Alaskan 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation, EIN 46-2663256

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