Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report October 2021

The Daughters of the American Revolution wanted a Railroad Theme of their state wide luncheon in Palmer, Alaska. They called and 557 responded with our free standing display.

While preparing to assemble the Engine Truck we put the four original coil springs in our 50 ton press and found they varied in loading capacity. This was explained in part by obvious abrasion wear so the decision was made to replace them, remembering we have only one chance to do it right.

We got excellent service from Alco Spring when we replaced all 16 springs in the tender trucks so we turned to them once again. Of course these are not a stock item, but an email to Carol Orr with the data stamped on the old springs resulted in a quick quote. We placed the order September 22 and the four springs were manufactured to specification and shipped October 18 to our freight forwarder. Alco Spring has our highest recommendation if you are shopping for coil springs.

Alco Spring - Chicago Heights Euclid Avenue 2300
Chicago Heights, IL-60411 Phone No. 708-755-0438

Mr Weaks donated new old stock Dietz RED lantern globes that fit the #1 & #30 Little Wizard Dietz lanterns. They are Item # 58100 and measure 4” in height, 2 3/4” bottom Diameter and 3 1/4” top Diameter. They are for sale at $30.00 each plus postage. There are 6 available.

While installing the MU control lines under the tender it was “all hands below deck”. Actually they were practicing for a prayer meeting with the Pope.

Cleaning up for winter Mike McKervey and Ron Dudley sorted and repositioned blocking stored under the eves for easy access when we need to block 557 up in the air.

Keith Nore, Jessie Lehman and Jerry Cunnington were all part of the team effort producing the aluminum cellar guards custom fit to each of the driving box cellars.

Tom Walker, Terry Douglas, Jerry Cunnington, Keith Nore and Jessie Lehman made up a recent Saturday crew.

Weather guards on each driving box and cellar are custom fit as no two boxes are machined the same. Some features are in common and lend themselves to line production. Tom and Jerry got pretty proficient at drilling and taping all those 1/4-20 holes breaking only one tap.

Gerry Knutson is a retired Alaska Railroad conductor and dropped by with his photographer friend Wayne Fredeen on October 18th. Wayne provides a different perspective in his photos, such as the International Headquarters Main Office of Engine 557 Restoration Company.

Wayne took this photo of the crew with volunteers from the right, Pat Durand, Lynn Willis, Gerald Christensen, Mike McKervey, Gene Augustine, “Welding” Rod Hansen, Gas 1, Ken Elmore, Gerry Knutson, and Gas 2 and Gas 3.

“Welding” Rod is about to retire from ENSTAR, the local natural gas company and he brought his crew in over lunch hour to show them what he has been working on in his “Spare” time. Sorry we did not get their names, but I did find out that at least two of them have experience welding stationary boilers.

Thankfully a new generation of volunteers is coming on line. Jessie Lehman on the left here with his parents and Delano “Del” Horner on the right are both 18 years old. They came to us through the welding courses offered by Gary Feaster at Greatland Welding. They learned about 557 in one of our open houses in outreach to education in the community.

The Alaska Railroad Rail Gang has delivered a 114 lbs turnout in the yard and they have been working on it. Eventually this will be connected to the stub rails at the extreme right in front of the cart. This is going to require a lot of fill to make the facility functional for the section gang that shares this stub. This will provide the link to the Alaska Railroad and future operation of 557.

Injectors are gone in anticipation of rolling the driver assemblies under the frame rails. We are getting closer every day to putting the locomotive in the air in preparation.

Just one last thought. We will soon be kicking off our year end fund raiser in which donations are matched. We solicit major donations to establish a challenge fund each year. These usually consist of $5,000 and up challenges. If you are in the fortunate position to be able to offer a challenge grant, now is the time. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for your consideration and continuing support.

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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