Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report September 2019

 

Engine 557 was birthed at Baldwin in September 1944. Volunteers held a Happy 75th Birthday Party on September 8, 2019. Ken Elmore, Paul Dalleska, Tom Walker and Pat Durand were but a few of crew on Sunday ready for the crowd. Joan Taylor was the cake lady and kept the refreshments moving. Filling the sight glass became a family activity.

In three hours we greeted about 150 celebrants who toured the restoration facility. Several areas entertained and invited conversations of wide interests. The 557 cab became the gift shop which generated over $800.00 under the management of Dottie Elmore. Kids of every age engaged with the display of S-160 model trains which entertain until the real 557 is ready. The theater and fine art display featured Engine 557 Restoring Alaskan History. Our display of rebuilt mechanical lubricators and steam dynamo proved that if it moves comprehension follows with “That is how it works”!

The new firebox was on display and Paul Zargoza pointed out the details. The Zargoza family was captured by our volunteer photographer, Brian Forest, visiting from Fairbanks. New community contacts and introductions were made. Old hats were engaged in animated conversation and out of focus. Our traveling display provides the history of the restoration.

I had a great day and trust our guests and all the volunteers did as well. We all share the common interest is seeing Engine 557 come back to life in STEEEEAM. My thanks to all who participated.

Quick acting starting valves feed steam to the injectors. Jerry Peters has been working on a spare unit that had some ugly cold brazing on a broken mounting ear. Jerry Cunnington with assistance from Terry Douglas took on the job of brazing the broken ear. It takes a lot of concentrated heat to get a clean job. The successive clean up and final sand blasting for the finished work. Then it went back to Jerry Peters for all the lapping and assembly.

What others say about 557
Tom Meirhoff, Director Compliance and Dispatching and Derek Mead, Director Rules and Field Safety Iowa Interstate Railroad LTD. came to visit September 11, 2019
“Thank you for taking the time to show us your huge undertaking. It was a privilege to have seen what you’ve accomplished. Best of luck – any assistance we can provide, don’t hesitate to ask.”  

Joshua Coran, former Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Alaska Railroad, now works for Talgo in the Pacific North West and offered this observation.
“As for your steam work, I must say I am most impressed with the meticulous work you are doing on everything on that locomotive.” He punctuated that with a nice donation.

Tom & Hilde Simco from the Colorado Springs Narrow Gauge Restoration Group make biannual trips to Alaska and always stop by for a 557 update. They also leave a nice contribution to the effort. Tom writes, “YOU ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB!!! AND an EXTRA ATTA BOY to ALL of the #557 VOLUNTEERS & DONORS!!!:-)” Tom and Hilde also took the Hurricane Turn with engineer Martha.

Jim Blasingame, retired as Executive Vice President of the Alaska Railroad Corp after 41 years, has been a long time booster of 557. He has scheduled a visit at 557 along with former Governor Bill Sheffield. Gov. Bill was also President and CEO as well as Chairman of the Board of the Alaska Railroad. “We wouldn’t take up much time but it would provide a realistic picture of what an amazing task both you and your crew have accomplished to transform this unique and historical piece of equipment back to life.”

This comes from Volker Lange, one of our 557 boosters from Germany. Message: In memory of my mother, who died on August 10, 2019, I would like to donate this contribution to the "Engine 557". She always supported me in my hobby "railroad". Also as I travel to Alaska, to Wasilla in 2016, to "live" watch the great 557 restoration project. Thank you, Mother, thank you, Patrick Durand, thanks for the restoring crew for the very nice days / hours in Alaska !!! With many warm regards to Alaska, USA, the Volker Lange, Grosspoesna near the city Leipzig, Germany”

The list of necessary jobs is never ending but they are being accomplished. Laverne Buller made a new Throttle Valve Stem Washer from 1045.

Terry Douglas has been lapping fittings on the injectors to a mirror finish and completing the assembly on three injectors following directions of Robert Franzen.

Mike McKervey with help has built two mechanical gags for the safety valves to be used during hydro tests.

Mike has also been cleaning driving boxes in preparation for machine work. Shad Baldwin of Powerstroke Performance put these through their shop hot wash booth as an inkind donation.

Jerry Cunnington is our default machinist for creating taper fitted bolts for the frame. Following the weld repair a new bolt was installed in the left frame rail. This was followed by a new bolt on the right ear of the cylinder block.

Jerry, next tackled reaming two damaged holes in the frame which hold the Radius Bar Crosstie and made two more fitted tapered bolts to secure the cross tie. He was assisted by Dean Sawyer.

Jeff DeBroeck continued work on repair to the Radius Bar Crosstie. Both side equalizers have received new bushings and been installed in the frame.

Consultant ,Paul Dalleska has been leading the crew in bread boarding the back head making adjustments to stud locations and fixtures as needed to work around all the new flexible staybolts. Water sight gauge sight lines was one of the first considerations. Every day there is an ever more complex array of fittings being applied.

The power reverse installation requires adjustment bends and extension of the operating rod to clear the new flexible stays.

Here is some trivia, the end of the frame rails under the cab are stamped with identification 280 (wheel arrangement) 19 S (cylinder bore Steam) 809 R (build serial number Right side) Presume the remainder is the actual casting number?

Where does the money come from? In addition to individual contributions this month, two other non-profit groups found us worthy of financial support. Thank their members and please support their mission.

Alaska Territorial Cavalry (Motorized) donated $300.00 to 557 thanks to Jerry Peters.

Wasilla Lions Club donated $250.00 as arranged by Joan Taylor.

Termination Dust is a term well know to Alaskans. It was evident on Pioneer Peak as of September 26. In the old days you could expect termination from your construction job with the first snow. With modern equipment and construction practice it simply means that you will have new recreation opportunities, including ditch diving.

These S-160’s are in Heaven on earth. These UK sisters look great coming or going. November 6 - 9 we will be hosting the owners and operators of these two locomotives while on a visit here in Alaska. Gregory Wilson and Robert Alcock are the owners/operators of these two gems and John Peake, in charge of their day to day maintenance will be our guests. We are planning a day with 557, tour of the Alaska Railroad shops and some train chasing to Whittier. You can visit them at the Churnet Valley Railway.

Tickets are still available at $100.00 for the October 8, 2019 FUNdraiser at the Palmer Moose Lodge. Engage early Alaska Railroading with the John VanCleve photo collection starting in 1898 Skagway.

See you up the track.

Patrick J. Durand, President

 

Back