Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report December 2023

A white Christmas was assured by two weeks of snow storms arriving every other day since mid December. Jerry Cunnington has taken on the added job of operator on our 721 loader clearing the yard on a crystal clear day. Only 22° F below as this is written on December 30, 2023.

Terry Douglas caught the last Northbound Aurora Winter Train the Engine House before the winter solstice. The blue gloom of the 10:00 a.m. sunrise adds to the chill of a 5° F morning. Leading are two 4,000 HP SDMAC70 locomotives followed by a baggage car with HEP generators, a diner and three coaches. Bringing up the rear is another baggage with HEP power and a rear facing unpowered CAB unit. Staying warm in the arctic back country of Alaska is a priority! Aurora watching and holiday travels keep this weekly run popular.

When you ride the Alaska Railroad summer passenger trains you are welcomed on board by bright energetic young people ready to take your rail travel experience a step or two up. They generously share the new revelations of nature unfolding along the route each day. History of the Alaska Railroad and the “Rail belt” communities are happily revealed. So how do these ambassadors develop such knowledge and skills? Dedicated study in a program sponsored through a School Business Partnership between the Alaska Railroad and Anchorage School District - King Tech High. The Alaska Railroad Tour Guide Program will be taking applications for the One Semester-Spring course for 11-12 grade students, 16 years or older. Read all about it here. Engine 557 history and restoration will be presented by volunteers in the class orientation for 2024.

What others say:

On December 19th the Alaska Railroad recognized the 557 restoration volunteers on their Facebook page.

DAN Roche of Palmer sent in a nice contribution to be matched in our year end fund raiser. He included this note: “Received your letter regarding my latest contribution to the restoration project. You did give us the grand tour a couple years ago, which was much appreciated. My wife's name is Ruth Pechota. You might remember that we were building her a she-shed and trying to make it look like a caboose. I finally got the cross buck and crossing lights you gave us put up. Here is a link to a little video I put on YouTube”

Blake Hillis took the tour along with his three year old grandson, Cal. Actually the whole family showed up and Cal got to claim Engineer for a day setting in the cab. Mr. Hillis and I meet several years ago when I approached NRA Alaska now U.S. Ecology about recovered used oil as a fuel source for Engine 557. At that time he committed to provide all the filtered dewatered used oil we could burn in the first two years. Upon his 557 tour he recalled the visit and reiterated “We have lots of oil for 557.” Just as important, they will deliver it trackside into the tender!

Ron and Joyce Dudley have retired to Oak Harbor, Washington but he just cannot stay away. While in Wasilla visiting family in early December he spent three days working with us at the 557 Engine House. Ron always has that bush pilot smile on his face and we miss having him here every day to keep us looking up. Ron’s observations on 557,  “Words cannot express the gratitude and the privilege and honor it is to be a part of a volunteer crew so dedicated and so enthusiastic in giving their time and talents towards the goal of bringing back a steam engine.  557 is more than just a piece of machinery, it a vital part of the history of Alaska and the Alaska railroad.  It is going to be an extraordinary event when, finally, that locomotive comes alive.  People are going to be in awe of the sight, the sounds, the smell and the pulsing energy radiating from that beautifully restored piece of history.”

It was suggested by 557 Secretary, Dick Morris, some time back, that we pursue a listing on the National Register of Historic Places for 557. There was opposition from some board members, I believe because there were perceptions that a listing would incur restrictions on what we could do with the locomotive. We had more important fish to fry so the idea was tabled. As we close in on completion of the restoration and transition to operations and maintenance it may be time to review our position. If any of you out there among the 557 followers have experience with LOCOMOTIVES on the National Register we would welcome your comments, favorable or not.

Terry Douglas is back to work on the spare five tube mechanical lubricator for the Westinghouse air compressor. From Robert Franzen we bought two take offs from Chinese locomotives and Terry has done a total rebuild on both.

Last month we introduced Jeff Loffert’s project reconditioning the branch pipe fittings where connection is made to the super heater manifold. The before condition showed the extensive erosion of the surface around the joint. After hours using the home built mandrel faced with emery paper and driven by our mag drill, a suitable finish has been achieved. After one pass major progress is shown on the second unit.

A new bracket for signal lines was installed on the bottom back side of the pilot beam by Paul Dalleska. Once the cab floor is reinstalled and the cab is in place all the advance work on the brake system will come together for testing.

Refinements in electrical hardware are always welcome. The vestibule light will no longer be just a bare LED bulb with a pull chain when James Keene and Ken Elmore are done. A step light fixture will shield the bulb and direct the light down onto the deck. A custom bracket made from 1/8 inch plate makes for a tidy install with out penetrating the roof.

Secretary, Dick Morris has been successful in presenting the 557 story in major grant requests over the years. On more than one occasion the following organizations have given generously to fund key components of 557 restoration. Please recognize them and support their missions. Rasmuson Foundation, Atwood Foundation, MEA Charitable Fund, John H. Emory Railway Heritage Trust, Kenai Mountains Turnagain Area Heritage Trust, Alaska Airlines Corporate Giving, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Tom E. Daily Foundation and Usibelli Foundation.

At years end we take special note of friends and business sponsors who go above and beyond to support restoration of Engine 557. Some prefer to remain anonymous and we honor those requests. The year end fund raiser covers all the daily expenses of operation such as insurance, fuel, incidental tools, consumables, sanitation, office supplies, postage and local promotions.

Volunteers who are also major contributors to our fund raising at years end.
Richard Morris, Paul Bates, Terry Douglas, Sean Mesloh, Dale Wade, Scott Hicks, Terry Stefani, Jerry Cunnington, Ken Elmore, James Keene, Tom and Jane Walker, John and Terry Combs, Paul Dalleska, Lynn Willis, Laverne Buller, Ken Morton.

Business Owners on tap for in-kind donations all year long, who also contribute privately.
Vic Jansen, Jim Jansen, Lynden Logistics; Shane Durand, Central Companies; Janet Kincaid, Valley Hotel; Denny Harmann, Weld Air Alaska; Gary Feaster, Great Land Welding; Dave and Judy Snyder, Diversified Tire; Steve Rimple, Moses Lake Steel.

Long time supporters from around the country and the world.
Tom and Hilde Simco, Colorado; Jerry Ritter, Virginia; Paul Duncan, Georgia; Gloria Corey, Fairbanks; Volker Lange, Germany; Richard Fogarty, Arizona; Larry Altoff, Pennsylvania; Ken Parys, New Hampshire; Ed Kovich, Wasilla; Dennis and Diane Allen, Eagle River; Donna Owens, Talkeetna; John Wolfe, Anchorage; Dan Roche, Palmer; Susan Dabelsteen, Anchorage; Jonathan Fisher, Seattle; David Cowee, Nevada; Mark Flitton, Idaho; Lloyd E. Weeks, Anchorage; Douglas Johnson, Anchorage; Margaret Morris, California; Rowland Fogarty, Arizona; Phylis Higginbotham, Virginia; Keith Nore, Fairbanks; Skid Rowe, Washington; Charles Taylor, ?; Dale Scherbert, ?; Eugene White, Anchorage; Greg Malloy, Seattle; Jim Durst, Fairbanks; Judith Hoffman, Ohio; Charles Taylor, Louisiana, Dale Scherbert,Wisconsin; Military Society of Model Engineers, Elmendorf AFB. The list goes on and on, fortunately.

There are no paid solicitors calling you on the phone on behalf of Engine 557. You receive a letter request from Secretary, Dick Morris, and a letter of thanks from Treasurer, Jane Walker or President, Patrick Durand. Total expense for this campaign is volunteer time, two letters and a lot of electrons expended on gentle email and Facebook reminders.

As of this posting, Secretary Dick just sent this update.“Our goal was set at $85,000. $47,409 of that has been contributed and is in the bank. We have firm pledges of another $30,000 that we expect to receive by the end of January. We will need to raise $7,591 beyond that to reach the goal.” There are still matching funds available.  

Engine 557 Restoration Company is exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code EIN 46-2663256. 557 is registered with the Alaska State Department of law to solicit donations.

Contributions may be made via check. Make your check to “Engine 557” and mail to: Engine 557 P.O. Box 875360 Wasilla, AK 99687. Or use the PayPal link below:

 

Engine 557 has come a long way since being returned to the Anchorage Depot in December of 2011 after years of slumber in Moses Lake, Washington.

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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