Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report October 2023

October closed out without any snow cover here in Wasilla but the local lakes are starting to freeze up, seagulls have flown south and are being replaced by Ravens. Road conditions will add to the concern of volunteers driving out from Anchorage and Eagle River. Thanks to all who persevere all winter long through the “ditch diving” season.

Never too late in the season for progress. The Alaska Railroad Wasilla Section Crew borrowed our loader this morning and unloaded the components for the new turnout to connect the 557 Engine House stub track to the main line. All the existing 70 pound track will be removed and replaced with 115 pound rail and switch components. All the details are irrelevant to this discussion but the sub grade, ties and track panels are to go down this fall. Come spring they will complete the project with displacement ballast up to grade. In addition to the engine house stub there MAY be two additional stub tracks for storage. PROGRESS!

One of our long time 557 boosters, Mr. Herb Worthley has passed on at the age of 96. Herb was in the last crew to bring Engine 557 back from flood duties at Nenana when she waded fire box deep through the waters of the Tanana River pulling trains through the high water at the junction of the Nenana and Tanana Rivers. The crews always enjoyed his shared stories of years working on the ARR. There are more photos and commentary on our 557 Facebook page. We will miss him. Herb’s obituary is here.

Niles Canyon Railway recently put out a call for brasses as replacements for some of their friction bearing trucks. Engine 557 had converted our tender to Timken bearings so we were able to harvest some old brasses and convert them to cash money with a sale. The crate arrived and was off loaded at the Bright Side Yard. This was all arranged with Doug Debs at Niles Canyon to the benefit of both organizations.

What other people say:

“Thank you very much for the “care package” – it arrived safe and sound and is much appreciated. Thanks also for the wonderful hospitality shown to our group during our recent visit. It was one of the highlights of our TRAINS Special Interest tour of Alaska. It’s a fascinating locomotive with an important story to tell and its restoration is clearly in very good hands. I was greatly impressed by the progress your group has made and the evident care that’s gone into every detail of the work.
I hope to be back in 2025 to see 557 under steam once again!”
Kindest regards,
Carl
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Carl Swanson
Editor | Trains Magazine

While part of the crew works on getting things prepped for the hydro test, there are dozens of other details that are being attended to. As noted earlier the bolts around the smoke box front foundation ring were eroded on the inside from the onslaught of fly ash and sand passing over them. These are being removed by various means. Paul Dalleska hot wrenched some, others came out with a boost from the air hammer. The rusty holes were then chased clean and painted with Thermolox.

The Branch Pipes deliver super heated steam from the header in the smoke box down to the cylinder block. A special mandrel was made by Jeff Loffert to machine the mating surface of the steam joints. The mandrel will be faced with abrasive material and turned using a universal drive mounted on a mag drill. The bracket shown is made to center the mandrel and support the mag drill.

The upgraded 26L air brake system is being equipped with Wabtec 824-31 air filters which we have obtained both new and used. Ken Elmore is reconditioning one of the used units.

Where does the money come from to perform major restorations? Very generous individuals, businesses and foundations. Engine 557 has not pursued funding from any governmental agencies, local, state or Federal. Experience will lead you to find saving money is just as important as raising it. Build a cadre of commercial sponsors who will provide your organization with “most favored pricing” or long discounts for the duration of your restoration. These relationships build partnerships and rapport in the business community. On special occasions you might ask for a specific material grant or gift of service, such as help filing all the paper work for non-profit status. One often overlooked opportunity is up to 5% cash back you can get on some corporate credit cards. So far this year our Wells Fargo Platinum Business card has returned $602.90.

We have enjoyed some success with the Kroger Customer Rewards Program. Each quarter we receive a check from Kroger directed to Engine 557 by Customers who select our organization from among thousands of not for profits that qualify. Last quarter 83 families had selected Engine 557 and we received a check for $86.88. This number can grow dramatically if you do business with any of the Kroger Family of Stores, just go to: www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards and select “Engine 557 Restoration Company” at “Re-enroll or link your Rewards Card now”. Your family can direct Kroger/Fred Meyer contributions to 557 at no direct cost to you.

When it comes to fund raising, most of the time I hear,"I can't do that". Well really you can, it is just an acquired skill. Back in September, Gene Augustine made an evening presentation to the Alaska Prospectors Society. The week following I received personal donation checks totaling $350.00 from four individuals who attended. This past week 557 got a donation check of $675.00 from CARTA, Central Alaska Retired Teachers Association and a nice letter from Judith M. Ireton, Treasurer. This contribution was promoted by one of their members in attendance with the Prospectors. Articulate the need and make the ask to succeed.

Last month, I reported receipt of an $18,000 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation. 557 Board Member, Paul Bates, not only made the request, he followed up with a personal matching grant to allow purchase of the long lead time components to equip the loco with LeapTC so we can install the PTC compatibility to work on the Alaska Railroad main line.

557 Board Secretary, Dick Morris, followed up with a successful request of $7,000 from the Matanuska Electric Charitable Foundation. We thank all the 40 thousand rate payers in the Matanuska Electric Association service area who participate in Operation RoundUP. The choice these families make to round up their monthly utility bill to the next dollar, make this all possible.

In about two weeks many of you will receive a mail solicitation for our Engine 557 year end fund raiser. This is our one and only annual fund raising program, all carried on by 557 volunteers. No telephone banks, no paid solicitors. Our 557 Board Members and friends have stepped up funding a challenge as of today, of $19,000 which will be matched dollar-for-dollar. The official kick off will be on November 28, “Giving Tuesday.” However, if you contribute today your gift will be matched and we can save another stamp and put 66 cents toward restoring 557. Please respond favorably with a contribution so we can extend the invitation to “Come and ride in ’25”

On behalf of the Volunteers and the Engine 557 Board of Directors I want to thank all of you who have supported our effort over the last many years.

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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