Thanks to Dick Morris and Lynn Willis for manning a 557 information exhibit during the 10 day run of the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous at the Historic ARR Anchorage Depot. Dick captured change, dollar bills, fives, tens, and twenties for a total of $1409.78, all of which will be matched by the Rasmuson Foundation Grant. We thank the Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers for supporting our cause and providing roundhouse nourishment while we shared their exhibit space.
Some excellent contacts were made including a visit with Gale Weatherall who, as a conductor for the Alaska Railroad, witnessed 557 wading the flood waters at Nenana. He reported 557 was deadheaded all the way from Anchorage, to pull trains through the flooded tracks to high ground where the diesels could take over again. We look forward to hosting Gale, Stu White, Weaver Franklin and other veterans of the Steam era at the 557 Engine house.
Mr. Mark Stearns approached the display on Saturday and indicated he was interested in helping out. On Tuesday I was in his office at Alaska Wood Moulding with a sample of the cab liner from 557. He observed, "This is fir, can I make them from oak?" Of course. was the answer as we need 36 pieces 59 7/8" long to match the unique tongue and groove material. Then Mark asked, "You are going to paint these?" The originals had three coats of paint on one side, gray, preceded by a dark green and then the original hunter light green. I suggested we would not want to hide the oak grain, so how about a hunter green transparent stain. "Consider it done and then we will seal it all with two coats of a commercial clear sealer." was his response. That is how in-kind donors to 557 have responded to the needs of her restoration.
Mark then advised that he has secured a stock of Purple Heart wood to do the cab floor boards!
General Hardware Distributors, recognized our recent purchases when I called upon Manager of Inside Sales, Mike Dunsmore. He carried the story of 557 upstairs to the management and we now enjoy, shall I say, very attractive pricing at Alaska Industrial Hardware. The AIH Wasilla Manager, Doug McWilliams and counter man, Tim Pope have been very helpful in meeting our needs.
Gary Feaster and Dan Lucus, at Greatland Welding and Machine, have gone way beyond any reasonable expectations in supporting 557. They have committed to doing machine work as necessary as long as it will fit in their shop. Gary has already built steel support stands. Dan is now fabricating a set of supports that will allow us to work on the Westinghouse compound air compressor and the Power Reverse unit in their normal upright positions. Above and beyond, is their loan of a Lincoln 250 amp wire feed welder, six inch vice and acorn table. Then they sent over the Cincinnati Drill press here being wired up by volunteer Ken Elmore.
These are all gifts that keep on giving. The dollar value of these in-kind donations is generously matched by the Rasmuson Fund grant up to $350,000. Please review our list of corporate in-kind donors. Do business with them and thank them for supporting Engine 557 Restoration Co.
Central Environmental Services, The Solutions Company continues to come through with donated materials salvaged from their many demolition projects. Engine 557 Restoration Company now occupies a palatial office suite in the Engine House, complete with heat! The former patient smoking shelter from Providence Hospital has been repurposed thanks to CES and Shane Durand. We continue to thank them for the asbestos abatement, pallet shelving, man lift, etc. etc.
Jeff DeBroeck is still removing tube stubs from the front tube sheet and provides instruction and training for other volunteers as we progress toward doing the ultrasound testing on the boiler shell and firebox. Several short clips have been produced showing his technique for removing the stubs. They will eventually be posted at alaskarails.org. Care is taken to avoid damage such as this old tube sheet nick magnified about 10 times here.
Larry Erickson is preparing plugs to weld up the holes in the tender buffer plate. He worked with Jerry Cunnington to turn a surplus horizontal band saw from a frozen pile of ice and rust into a beautiful and most useful tool. For the cost of a light switch and a bottle of water soluble cutting oil we have a first rate heavy duty saw that will cut 1/8" wafers off two inch pipe all day.
Lynn Willis, is shown here cleaning rods. All the rods and valve gear links must be polished steel for inspection. This is a fall back job when the boss runs out of more immediate tasks.
Joe Coe, Ron Dudley, Gerry Keefer, Dick Morris, Ken Elmore and Fred Tigner round out the regular crew responding as needed to 557 work calls. Priority remains the boiler preparations for a thorough evaluation and restoration plan. A lot of effort also goes in to the infrastructure needed to support the work in up fitting the shop space and organizing storage.
There are a lot of components in this puzzle which will escape notice as they go on out of sight and therefore unrecognized. Hopefully this report brings some of them up front for your consideration. For example, Mr. Don Worthley, a third generation Alaska Railroader, is our liaison contact with the Alaska Railroad. He is our go to man when we need consultation with the railroad.
With warmer weather, now 38°, we are going to a three day week in the 557 Engine House. Visitors are welcome on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Want to volunteer? Call me at 907 350 4340. Every member of the Volunteer Crew made a sizable cash donation to the Engine 557 Restoration Company Fund. Skin in the game.
This part of the message does not change. We need cash donations and that is where you readers following 557 Progress Reports can participate. Please think about a $100.00 donation at this time. Cogitate over a $500.00 donation, dream about a $1,000 donation and then send a check to show your support for Engine 557. The Rasmuson grant will double your donation value.
Make your check out to:
Alaska Community Foundation 557 Fund
3201 C Street Suite 110
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Thank you all for your generosity.
Patrick J. Durand
President, Engine 557 Restoration Company
P.S. Mark your calendar now: Sunday, September 22, 2013 The National Railway Historical Society convention will visit the Locomotive 557 restoration project and the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.
