Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report June 2018

The Palmer Chamber of Commerce invited 557 to exhibit at the Colony Days celebration in the Historic Alaska Railroad Depot in Palmer. Volunteer, David Lucus helped staff the booth during a very busy day of parades, political speeches and family fun. The Palmer Depot will host operations of Engine 557 in the future just as on September 5, 1959 when 557 made her last revenue run to the first Alaska State Fair. On June 9th the event was blessed with all the best an Alaskan summer day can offer.

557 has a use agreement with the Alaska Railroad Corporation for use of this track in downtown Palmer for future development. The last train over this track was in 1987, and it will require an estimated $300,000.00 to $500,000,00 just to bring it up to operational standards for 557 .

One of our major sponsors, Lynden Transport, brought their “Museum in a box” to the Colony Days celebration in Palmer Alaska. This fully restored LTI Kenworth tractor and trailer made the very first trip for the company from Seattle, Washington to Fairbanks, Alaska over the ALCAN Highway in mid-winter, February 1954. Glen Kok and Oscar Roosma were the drivers. 557 was loaded on the barge in Seattle when Lynden Transport brought 557 on the Alaska Marine Lines from Seattle to Whittier Alaska in December of 2011. The Lynden family of companies continue to provide transport for all our heavy stuff from Seattle to Wasilla. They are represented on our 557 Board of Directors by VP Scott Hicks.

This crew from Motion Pla-net Productions is traveling the Alaska Railroad creating a 90 minute show for Japan public television. 557 restoration will be one of many off line activities the 30 year old host, Yasuhisa “Yasu” Furuhara will be featuring. The crew consisted of Director Shuuta Watanabe, Nobuhito Yoda (Cameraman) Host Yasuhisa Furuhara, Shogo Karaoke (Video Engineer/Audio Operator) and Interpreter Kaz Yagi at far right. Not shown is the drone operator, Jassin Godard, who took this group photo including the 557 crew, Gene Augustine, Patrick Durand, Mike McKervey, Ron Dudley and Jerry Peters. To quote Jassin “It was a great pleasure to meet your awesome hard working crew. Here’s the immortalized moment.”

Okadee 300 Lbs, blow down valves removed from 557 are worn to the point we do not believe they are economically repairable. These units have been cleaned and will work well for dressing up a static locomotive display. They are available to a good home and a $500.00 negotiable price.

Jordan Curbow brought little Jack and daughter Kai for a visit to 557 on June 11th. Jordan is one of the several counter sales people at the Wasilla store of Alaska Industrial Hardware, who meet the needs of 557 for most of our daily hardware requirements. AIH is like having a big tool bin right in our back yard. Say thanks for their support for 557, when you shop AIH.

Terry and John Combs were in Alaska on what has become an annual pilgrimage chasing trains and history of the ARR. John is a 557 Board Member and hosts our 557 web page on his alaskarails.org site. We toured the Palmer Branch of the Alaska Railroad, portions of which will host shake down tests of 557. Potentially we will be able to operate in this area which is not included in the current ARRC Positive Train Control implementation plan.

June 19th the entire 557 Board of Directors gathered for a special meeting. With all present a group photo was in order. From left to right: VP Scott Hicks, President Patrick Durand, Secretary/Treasurer Dick Morris, and Directors, John Combs, Doug Engebretson, Maria Keffer, Jim Posey and Dale Wade.

Terry Walker, inside sales, at STEELFAB in Anchorage is always helpful with our special requests for odd pieces of steel in the various alloys required. Their facility stocks a variety of materials and the entire crew from Terry to the fitters and welders always express interest in how 557 is progressing. Dan DeMarco lead the project that produced the side and crown sheets for the firebox replacement in 557 as one example of their expertise. We thank you STEELFAB.

Surprises are around every bend. While sandblasting the old cut lever assembly, what should appear but the number 562. This assembly was from the pilot beam and had been forged from some crudely made parts which required some clean up. We know from written reports that 557 meet some resistance at a grade crossing with a loaded Territorial dump truck. So it appears at least the cut lever was replaced with a hand me down from Locomotive No. 562. The only ALCO among the fleet of 12 s-160 locomotives on the Alaska Railroad, 562 was in the scrap line at Birchwood by 1958.

Progress is being made. New wheels, bearings and axles are at the ARRC wheel shop awaiting machine work and assembly. The truck bolsters and side frames are ready to assemble with new springs.. The tender brake rigging is ready to install once the trucks are in place.

The new Steam Dome lid along with some replacement stay bolts have just arrived and we will be contracting with Robert Franzen our PE to install rigid stays and flexible stays in the prepared firebox sheets.

Tooling for the shaper is being built to prepare the old journal bearings for a new babit liner. New shoes and wedges will follow.

Pyle Dynamo K240 and mechanical lubricators have been completely overhauled, tested and stored for future installation.

There are shelves and file cabinet drawers full of reconditioned components waiting their time to be installed.

We have books for sale: please allow $5.00 for postage

“Once a Hobo” autobiography of Monte Holm $25.00 ea
“Ole 556” 3rd edition featuring 557 restoration on the last four pages. $12.00

We have fine railroad art: “557 Returning” signed and numbered print $100.00
                    There are two remaining giclee art prints available for $150.00 ea.

557 Hats for $20.00
557 number pin $5.00
557 locomotive pin $5.00
557 locomotive magnet pin $7.00
557 logo patch $3.00

You can order by email at sewtrain557@gmail.com

Fund raising continues and you can always help out by sending a generous check to:
Mail and make payment to:
Engine 557 Restoration Company
PO BOX 875360
Wasilla, Alaska 99687-5360

Patrick J. Durand, for the crew at Engine 557 and our friends.

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