Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report July 2022

On July 15, 1923, President Warren G Harding drove the golden spike on the Alaska Railroad at Nenana.  Centennial celebrations in 2023 will herald the 100th anniversary of the AEC Alaska Engineering Commission completing construction. Engine 557 plans to celebrate with a roll out here at the 557 Engine House in Wasilla with a birthday party for the railroad. Will she be in steam? Maybe at least a steam test! Here is a track level view of 557 at rest in the shop as of July 2022. Watch for monthly progress going forward.

What Others Say:  

Will C. Swartzell reports, “I came to Alaska for two weeks in June 2022 for my brother’s wedding, but of course we all know that railfans can never leave their passion/hobby at home… so it came with me from Connecticut!  I am a volunteer with the Friends of the Valley Railroad in Essex, CT for the Essex Steam Train and have grown up with steam trains a mile away from my house for 30+ years.  I had to fit a visit in to the Engine 557 Restoration Company.  I called the number on the website and managed to speak to Patrick Durand (President) and headed out from Anchorage with my parents to see this spectacle.  Unlike other steam locomotives I’ve seen throughout the country, I got a real red carpet VIP treatment in terms of information on the project and locomotive.  I was pleasantly surprised by all the progress being made for what must be one of the most challenging areas in the United States, considering the only standard gauge track it can run on in Alaska is the Alaska Railroad.  Every piece of machinery donated to this wonderful cause has a story, and the locomotive itself has unique history.  Considering engine 557 is one of very few remaining USATC S160 Class locomotives in the country, this particular engine is a hidden gem in the forty-ninth state!”  

“I wish everyone at the Engine 557 Restoration Company much success and prosperity – it is no easy thing to get a steam locomotive running, let alone in the state known as the last frontier, with no connection to the outside world by rail!”

Jim and Jane Iskiyan visit each summer with family here in the Valley. They are retired, living in Tucson, Arizona where they operated an embroidery shop. They bring along a stock of 557 Baseball Caps for our store on each trip. To quote Jim and Jane, “We had a great time talking with you and the other workers. The engine is looking great!”.  

Robert “Bob” Brooks
“I wanted to follow up regarding the one time donation I just made.  This started as a "thank you" to John Combs for his work on his alaskarails.org website.  I contacted John wanting to donate to his website in recognition of his efforts, and he in turn said that he didn't take donations but instead suggested I donate to the 557 Restoration. So thanks to John for his very useful website and in turn for his support of the #557 restoration. Good luck with your work.” Bob 

Editors note. Thanks to Bob for his nice donation and to John Combs who for 25 years has created the most extensively on line documented railroad in the world, at alaskarails.org. John is also a founding board member of the Engine 557 Restoration Company.

Big Cabbage Radio FM is a staple for local news here in the Matanuska Valley. Railroad Joe Davis conducts progress updates on Engine 557 here in the Engine House and the most recent POD cast is available locally on Big Cabbage Radio.

On Thursday, July 21, Mr. Bill O'Leary, President and CEO of the Alaska Railroad Corporation was joined by COO, Clark Hopp and newly appointed External Affairs Director, Christy Terry for a tour of the 557 Restoration. Bill expressed surprise at all the progress since his last visit. Clark commented, “It is just Beautiful.” on his first encounter with 557. Christy took the photo to include, 557 consultant, Paul Dalleska, Bill O’Leary, Patrick Durand, Clark Hopp, and Dale Wade, VP Marketing and Customer Service ARRC and also a 557 Board Member.

Discussions were opened on diverse topics such as infrastructure developments to support operation and maintenance of 557 and how the volunteer group can participate in the ARRC Centennial in 2023.

On July 7 Ron Abbott of Gold Canyon, Arizona called on 557 with his wife, Donna, son Eric and two grand daughters. He presented us with a double ended Grand Trunk Western wrench and a Genesee Wyoming switch lock with two keys. They all took the tour.

For the second quarter of 2022 Kroger reports that 29 participating families directed $98.98 in donations to the benefit of Engine 557. If you shop at Fred Meyer or any Kroger retailer you can direct a portion of their charitable giving to support a non-profit organization of your choice. We hope you will sign up and select Engine 557 Restoration Company. Just click here to get started. Community Rewards Program.

Long time volunteer, “Welding” Rod Hansen has retired and become a snow bird migrating to Texas in the winter. Rod is now fabricating and repairing super heater elements here in the shop. The crew supports him as needed. Ron Dudley is here putting a 45° taper on the end of a tube in preparation. Rod starts by installing return ends on pairs of tubes and then assembling the four tube element. As each element is completed it is attached to the air test manifold for an initial air test to about 160 pounds which it must maintain and pass the soap bubble test. These will later be hydro tested after having passed the air test.

Volunteer Corey Brause, owner of SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL is a fellow model railroader. I found a photo of a rolling step ladder next to an S160 locomotive somewhere in Europe. Several years ago, I asked Corey to make one for 557 and he did. We now finally have put it to use. It looks just like the original from 78 years ago. Thanks Corey!

Mike Bitzan continued doing the layout work for pieces of the cylinder jacket. We now have both the right and left sides dry fit. Pat Durand measured and fit the sliding lubricator access doors that provide occasional access to the lubrication connection to the center of the cylinder bore. These covers will be removed before the steam test and get final installation after the cylinders are wrapped in insulation.

Machine work on the new drawbar continues as a team effort with Jerry Cunningham and Tom Walker doing most of the work. Tom finished the material removal on the top section and then flipped the draw bar, to complete a cleaning pass on the bottom of the Bar. Final set up is to put a 1/4” radius all around the perimeter of the bar top and bottom. When the final fit is made, a rollout will be scheduled to celebrate the event.

The throttle valve in the steam dome must have a perfect closure seat before a hydro test of the boiler is conducted. The balanced steam valve is here on the right showing the angled edge that fits into the valve body seat. The mandrel required to clean up the matching seat in the valve body was manufactured by Jeff DeBroeck. Individual components when assembled in the valve body will provide a stable center guide and the mandrel can be driven through the u-joint with a mag drill at low speed.

Paul Dalleska made the most recent portrait of 557 at a high angle to show off her Safety First admonition. Every day brings us closer to engaging contractors to install the tubes and superheater flues. We still have a little over $5,000 in a special challenge grant to match donations made to Engine 557 Restoration Company. Your generosity will keep us moving forward with the support of our volunteers.

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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