Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report September 2021

Winter actually arrived on the first day of fall here in South Central Alaska. Yep, Climate Change don’t ya know. Earliest snow fall in many years turned mountains white from top to bottom with accumulations from 2 to 14 inches in lower elevations. Here at the engine house it melted off by afternoon. The reduced winter train schedule also reflects the season.

With more available track time the Rail Gang is in full swing tamping, leveling and lining track before freeze up. The crew was in the stub track doing equipment maintenance before heading back out. While waiting for track time some of the section crew dropped in to visit 557.

Parts of a 115 lb. switch arrived next to the stub track and it will be relaid to provide connection to the 557 engine house lead just to the right edge of the photo. This will be a major milestone providing 557 access to the outside world. One length of rail will be held out until we are ready for the formal connection.

From time to time we offer links to companies that provide special services to Engine 557. Staybolt reamers and taps were custom made for us by RTS Cutters a division of Cheboygan Tap & Tool Company. After 1048 stay bolts the reamer/tap was still going strong! We give these folks our highest reference if you are shopping for boiler taps and reamers. Contact:
Sandy J. McDonald
New Business Development
Cheboygan Tap & Tool Company   
Phone: (706) 305-1481
Fax: (706) 955-9278
Cell: (706) 832-5066.  
e-mail: smcdonald@rtscut.com  
Website: www.rtscut.com       www.cheboygantap.com

The Engine 557 Foundry in the garage of Dick Morris is turning out more parts for 557. The "OVERFLOW" valve is the latest product. These valve handles are just to the right of the Fireman's seat box with extension rods through the cab floor to the injectors. The green valve is feed water from the tender to the injector. When the injector picks up and is delivering water to the boiler check valve the OVERFLOW valve meters excess water that was not entrained in the injector flow.

These handles join the production of full sized valve handles and universal joints described in our April Progress Report. These are used on the auxiliary manifold valve rod extensions and injector controls.

Is there a market for these full size Universal Joints? Dick only produced these as we were unable to locate a commercial source. If you are interested in the full sized version, let us know and we will explore production and pricing.

When Dick showed his work on Live Steam Preservation he received a very welcome response to the miniature versions done from the same drawing and casting process. Here is a direct link to his offering of Universal Joints for sale to benefit the Engine 557 Restoration Company.

After processing orders for over $1000 of the miniature versions this was his response. “Thanks to everyone for your interest. It's helped to put some funds into the Alaska Railroad #557 restoration project. I will continue to make these kits available for a while. I've done some more casting and have the #00 and #0 size ready to go and have the molds burning out tonight to cast more of the #1 size tomorrow. Send your email address to us and I'll send you the information on the u-joints, construction notes, and ordering information.”

There have been many visitor during September, some have left comments and nice donations.

Mike Poore from Las Vegas donated $300 for the current fund raiser. He recently visited 557 as a quest of Gene Augustine and as a retired jet jockey and engineer, has interest in all things mechanical.

Daryl Kollander retired from the Alaska Railroad 10 years ago but still stops by to support the project. He comments, ”Your updates are devoured on this end. I especially enjoy the continuous (well documented) momentum created by you and the crew!”

Shannon Cartwright, Author-Illustrator of many Alaskan themed Children’s books, including Ol’e 556, came by for a visit. Cary Birdsal came along and took the photos. Shannon has two million volumes in print and her third printing of Ol’e 556 features 4 pages on the restoration of 557 as a bonus. David Lucas and Gene Augustine completed our new 557 Company Store display just in time. Get Ol’e 556 mailed to you in a flat rate priority mail envelope for $16.00. Add a second copy in the same envelope for the grand kids at just $13.00 more.

Ted Spencer the creator and curator of the fantastic Prince William Sound Museum in Whittier is a tireless supporter of 557. Ted finally got an opportunity to visit on a recent trip north from his home in San Diego. Whittier is where 557 arrived on the SS Crowley WWII Victory Ship. 557 was the dedicated steam locomotive there for some time. Ted produced this memorial sign for the Alaska Railroad, 714th Railway Operating Battalion and 557 to be posted in the flag plaza in Whittier. ?

Motorcar Operators West toured the entire length of the Alaska Railroad twice! The 16 day adventure terminated in Anchorage from where the cars were loaded for shipment south. On the afternoon of September 15, 2021 they secured their fleet in the stub track at the Engine 557 Restoration Shops in Wasilla.

The group was hosted by Engine 557 crew to a light lunch and a tour of the restoration shops. After a presentation by Pat Durand, the 557 crew members engaged smaller groups for more in-depth discussions.

Paul Dalleska captured the MOW class picture with 557 as a backdrop, for all to remember the event. The MOW crew then proceeded to the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry for dinner and eventually to the Wasilla Best Western Hotel on Lake Lucile for the nights lodging. On Thursday they were bound for Girdwood and then off to Seward.

Volunteer Gerald Christensen, brought Mike Weeks of Wauseon, Ohio for a tour. Mike followed up with, “I think what you folks are doing is spectacular and the quality of the work is second to none. Thanks for the work that you and volunteers are doing on such a worthwhile project! I truly appreciate that you are saving an important part of history. Looking forward to seeing the completion of this project.“

So why all the attention to visitors? Education is part of our mission here at 557. Building a constituency in support of 557 restoration is primary to insuring future preservation and operation.

In the shop progress continues on preparing the driving boxes for installation with the drivers. New aluminum weather guards retain a silicon rubber seal around the axle on the backside of each box. Forced lubrication to the top of the axle is delivered through a slot in the Babbitt lined brass via the angled brass check valve connected to the mechanical lubricator by all new hydraulic lines and hoses. Another addition on all ten bearings is the thermocouple which will provide real time temperature readouts in the cab. Only 7 more driving boxes to outfit. Yes we have ALCO boxes and drivers under a Baldwin locomotive with a LIMA tender.

Jeff DeBroeck and Dean Sawyer verified the position of the engine truck pedestals relative to the Journal boxes. The boxes received new Babbitt hub liner faces. Two new taper fitted bolts were needed for the Heart link lower connection. Even though the machine work was done by Jerry Cunnington in house, two foot of 1018 round stock 4 inch OD cost $480.00 locally. Where does the money go?

On a recent Thursday the 557 crew consisted of consultant, Paul Dalleska and volunteers Terry Douglas, Jessie Lehman, Lynn Willis, Jerry Cunnington and Tom Walker. They keep showing up!

While installing air lines for MU operation under the tender we opted to use ABS plastic for pipe brackets. It is dimensionally stable, will not rot or split and does not hold moisture. CAC Plastics has provided a variety of materials for use on 557.

Ken Elmore and Paul Dalleska used the Greenlee pipe bender to fab up those pipes for the tender. Flange connections from Strato will complete this install under the tender.

We recently put out a call for donations to replace our old table saw in the shop. Charles Phillips is Operations Manager for the local Wasilla HOME DEPOT and follows us at Engine 557 Facebook. A new Table saw is on deck at 557 thanks to this donation from HOME DEPOT. Welcome to our family of 557 in-kind donors.

Emil Zupo of El Segundo, California, filled in the photo record of 557 for March of 1964. He took these photos of 557 in the Anchorage Yard right after the Great Alaskan Good Friday 9.2 Earthquake. While not in steam, 557 looked great. “I was assigned to Headquarters Co 4th Bn 23rd Inf, 172 Brigade (mech) at Ft Richardson,  I was on guard duty in the rail yard this day, we were under martial law at the time and we were either on guard duty or clean up details. I was shocked to see the locomotive since I love steam locomotives. Thanks!“

Our oldest corporate supporter, Lynden Transport is now Lynden Logistics. For the past 10 years they have answered the call when 557 needed transport of first a locomotive and then all the major and minor bits and pieces needed for the restoration. World wide they have gone above and beyond to deliver for 557. We are ever thankful!

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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