Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report September 2023

As September closes out, white “Termination Dust” moves further down the Talkeetna and Chugach mountain ranges framing the Matanuska Valley. There has been only one killing frost so far but the last tourist train got a wave from Terry Stefani and the days are ever shorter. 557 is safe in the warm engine house where work continues toward conducting our hydro test.

Funding to bring 557 compatible with PTC requirements is a big hurdle. Good news from the Rasmuson Foundation will allow us to acquire the long lead time components for LEAP Train Control. Big thank you to 557 Board Member and COO, Paul Bates for pursuing this major foundation grant. Paul is also providing a match for the grant.

From: Rasmuson Foundation
Subject: Rasmuson Foundation Request #18043

Dear Patrick Durand,

I am pleased to inform you that Engine 557 Restoration Company has been awarded a $18,000 grant for Leap TC purchase and installation. The attached award letter and grant agreement include details about your award and payment. ……… Congratulations on your award.

Christina Gheen Grants
Manager Rasmuson Foundation

 

TRAINS Special Interest Tours lead by Anjali Bermain arrived on September 16th, after several days riding the Alaska Railroad. Carl Swanson editor of TRAINS Magazine was among the guests hosted to a sandwich lunch and tour at the 557 Engine House. The Crazy Moose provided sub sandwich Party Trays and a tossed green salad served up by volunteer Sheri Hamming who is also President of the Palmer Historical Society. Jane Smith baked three carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting, decorated by her daughter. Volunteer Gerry Christensen baked his famous chocolate chip cookies.

After lunch the group broke up to engage with individual 557 volunteers to explore special interests. Carl Swanson signed the mast head of the TRAINS September issue containing a major feature on the Alaska Railroad. You will find comments on the visit from Carl Swanson, TRAINS Editor, at Engine 557 Facebook.

Dottie and Ken Elmore staffed the gift shop stocked with unique 557 merchandise. Hats, pins, magnets, patches, flue sections, time tables and books. The new J. Craig Thorpe Artist’s Memoir, RAILROADS, ART AND AMERICAN LIFE is the latest addition at $44.00. Prints of Engine 557 Returning are still available signed and numbered for $100.00 Giclee prints are $175.00 all postage paid.

Thanks to ATS Portable Toilets who provided an extra comfort station and hand wash facility for the day.

Special Events Alaska is a new in-kind supporter of Engine 557 after providing 35 chairs in response to a request by new Board Member, Terry Stefani. Thanks to the staff and owner, Andrew Gumley for going above and beyond on short notice.

Jeff Loffert is making the mandrel to put a 45 degree angle face on the header end of the branch pipes. Working out of his home shop he will bring it in for a final fit. “I’ll flip it around and turn to the finished diameter, and then the 45 degree nose.”

Gerry Christiansen, Paul Dalleska and Gene Augustine supported the C frame air riveting tool from our small forklift while preparing to replace rivets in the smoke box door foundation ring. Tom Walker managed the forge and passed up the yellow hot rivets for installation.

Long time volunteer, “Welding” Rod Hansen retired from the local gas company to a new home in Texas. He came North to Alaska this summer to be with family and help us out with special welding projects on 557, including safety welding tubes, flues and stay bolts in the firebox. Summer is over and he is headed back to Texas and humanitarian pursuits as far away as the Middle East and Nepal. Thanks for sharing your time with 557.

Preparations continue for our upcoming hydro test. CMO Jeff DeBroeck, Tom Walker and Dean Sawyer, team up to caulk minor air leaks found with 50 pounds of air on the boiler. Where a little foam is created by soapy water being agitated by an air leak, the area is carefully upset with a caulking tool applied with an air hammer by Jeff.

The Alaska Railroad invited 557 to participate in their OPEN HOUSE Centennial celebration in Fairbanks on September 23. Volunteer,Keith Nore, staffed our information and sales booth at the depot. Keith reports “Just a quick note to let you know that we had a very successful Open House here in Fairbanks! I met quite a few seniors who had family connections with the 557. I sold the posters that you sent up, a number of books, pins, a couple of hats and one of the flues. The total amount that I received in sales/donations was $528.”

Hope to see you along the tracks here in Alaska.

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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