The North bound Hurricane Turn came to a smooth stop just outside our door on January 7, 2016. I went out and called up to the engineer, "What is the unscheduled stop for?" His reply, "There is a fellow on board who operated that locomotive years ago, so we stopped for him." Walking back along the train, sure enough there was retired ARR trainman, Herb Worthly telling the passengers all about 557 from his years of experience with her. He gave us all a wave. Norm Farmer another retired ARR veteran was also on board and using his cell phone gave us an update as the train moved around the corner arriving right on schedule at the Wasilla Depot. Herb is one of only a few engineers left who operated 557 when she was in steam.

557 appeared on page 42 of the May 1963 Trains Magazine and looks to be in steam, with exhaust from the generator and a bright headlight. Maybe she is bound out for Nenana flood service as that was the last call Herb remembers.

One of the last to operate 557, Weaver Franklin passed away on January 14, 2016 at the age of 92. This information came recently from Cynthia Phelps, his great niece. Weaver was on hand with then Alaska Railroad President and CEO when 557 returned to Anchorage on January 3, 2012.

Another Alaskan Old Timer is TVRR #1 resting comfortably for the winter in the Fairbanks Engine House. Answering an invitation from Martin Gatowski and Ron Inouye to address the Fairbanks Historical Society I ventured to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks with our 557 program. It was only 3 below in Fairbanks and the hospitality was warm. Between Martin and 557 volunteer, Art Chase they got me around to 4 meetings in about 24 hours. The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad and 557 share several volunteers in common. Art Chase, James Farnham and Tim Coahran serve both.

Engine 557 captured the attention of the Fairbanks Historical Preservation group gathered at the TVRR museum for over an hour. Fortunately we had a few hours in advance to discuss the serious business of restoration in Alaska with a select group. Art got me to breakfast at 7:00 a.m. with the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee. Supportive comments came from Bill Brophy of Usibelli Coal Company and the Alaska Railroad Freight Services Coordinator, Katrina Marolano. The 557 project was well received by folks in Fairbanks and we sold several Extra 557 Returning prints.

From John Combs at alaskarails.org, Mr. Ken Parys just shared over 100 photos taken by his father, John Parys during his Army deployment to Secret Project X during 1944-46. Whittier had very controlled access and photography was not permitted of infrastructure any where in Alaska. The black hole in the photographic history of Whittier has suddenly been illuminated thanks to Ken. Of immediate interest was unaltered standard issue S-160 G.I. locomotive being off loaded by the 100 ton stiff leg crane on the then new ARR dock. No power reverse, no electrical system, only a single cylinder air pump. Next came the tender.

With a request for more info, Ken came back with the following: "..from a photography point of view, the aspect angle is, well,  crap.   Therefore, I was plenty surprised when I viewed the locomotive cab with a 10x viewer and backlit the photo.  There it was .... number 3521.   After checking John's excellent ARR list, I found that 3521 was an Army locomotive that was acquired by the ARR in 12/1944 and renumbered as 558.  That would also fit with my Dad's time in Whittier."

"I'm delighted that you found some of the answers you needed in my Dad's photographs.    Who would have thought that the answers were stowed in somebody's basement in rural New Hampshire?     Most of the knowledge base surrounding perhaps the greatest single event in human history (WWII), is gone and more is disappearing daily as these veterans pass on.   The statistics of the number of these folks that we are losing daily is pretty staggering.   All we have is what is left behind. My purpose from the start has been to get some of this information into places where it matters. You have helped me do that, so I thank you."

Back to the project at hand. A number of upgrades have been done to the fuel bunker. Several broken rivets in a front baffle of the tank were replaced as a new strong back of angle Iron was added. Cramped quarters inside the tank made this an interesting exercise with three people working inside and three outside to do the job. It takes a variety of tools for installing hot rivets. The heating coils in the bottom of the tank and the bubbler system for circulating oil have been air tested.

The main shut off valve for the steam turret bolts up to this flange. The seal is provided by a 10 ga copper wire ring. Several spares have been prepared by Jerry Cunnington.

Jim Keene removed the first layer of crud from a brake system component that was attached to the bottom of the cab floor. Conversion from Coal to Oil resulted in many extra holes and voids being cut into the firing deck. An effort is being made to fill the holes no longer needed.

Jerry Peters continues with the brake stand mock up up while reconditioning all the components. In this process a complete set of manuals specific to 557 are being prepared. So far all the gaskets for this old system have been available from the Strasburg Rail Road shops.

Fitting safety chains to the tender frame takes multiple trial fits. Four 1 3/8" holes were completed with the mag drill. Brackets will make a mechanical fit at the rear of the pocket in addition to the four grade 8 bolts securing them.

These are members of the 557 Mechanical Department who showed up as volunteers on January 16, 2016. From left to right: Stewart Sterling, Ken Morton, Jerry Peters, Dean Sawyer, Jerry Cunnington, Mike McKervey, Pat Durand, Terry Douglas and CMO Jeffry DeBroeck. Their persistence is bringing 557 back to life.

Without professional guidance it would be difficult to keep our volunteer Mechanical Department on a productive track. Trains Magazine just recognized our P.E. Robert Franzen as the "King of the S-160s." You can read all about it at this link: TRAINS article.

As a reminder of the support provided by the business community here in Alaska, we need but look up at the in-kind wall. Since day one, Alaska Industrial Hardware, The Alaska Railroad, Central Recycling Services, ATS Portable Toilets, Independent Lift Truck of Alaska, Lynden Transport and Alaska West Express, Rodda Paint, Roteq Alaska and Great Land Welding and Machine have been behind the Volunteers providing encouraging words, along with services and material support. After 40 months they are still hanging in with Engine 557 Restoration Company. Our shared success depends on their support of the volunteers.

Three legs of support are needed to keep us moving forward. Volunteers are working hard, In-Kind Donors are still generous, and the third leg is financial support. We will need another $430,000.00 to bring 557 to operational status. You can help, please do.

Patrick J. Durand, President

Click here for some of the ways you can help out.

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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