FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR ENGINE 557 RESTORATION

The Alaska Community Foundation and Engine 557 thanks the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Corridor Communities Association, which was established to recognize, preserve and interpret the historical resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains – Turnagain Arm transportation corridor, for their second generous grant of $10,000.

We also thank the National Railway Historical Society, the nation’s leading advocate for U.S. rail preservation and the largest rail preservation and historical society, for selecting Engine 557 as one of its 2014 National Railway Heritage grantees. We consider this the stamp of official approval.

On August 8, 2014  The Alaska Community Foundation made the formal request to the Rasmuson Foundation matching fund in the amount of $73,549.64.   This is the total amount raised subject to the match since February 2, 2014.   This includes two major $20,000.00 personal contributions received last month, as well as the NRHS and KMTA grants.  

When the match is made in approximately 90 days there will be a balance in the Rasmuson Fund of $54,670.36. You can help 557 capture that balance by making a substantial personal contribution today to the Alaska Community Foundation 557 Fund. Mail it to:

Alaska Community Foundation 557 Fund
3201 C. Street Suite 110
Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Our grant writing team of Dick Morris and Maria Keefer, has completed a $50K grant application to the Attwood Foundation which when awarded would provide $25K each of the next two years.

Dick and Maria are preparing to submit our third attempt at securing the annual Trains Magazine $10,000.00 preservation award due in October. Is the third time really a charm?

Airgas USA, Inc. has joined the ranks of 557 in-kind donors thanks to Mike Stoddard. Mike spends a lot of time in the Russian far East representing Airgas in the oil industry. He arranged donation of tools and protective gear from the Airgas safety training facility in Anchorage. Full face shields were put to immediate use and are much appreciated by the Mechanical Department volunteers.

Engine 557 scored on two diamonds in the rough.  We needed heavy duty stick welders to support the coming firebox installation and now we have them.

On Craig's list there were two welders listed.   A local shop was closing and we scored a Miller Dialarc 250 for $300.00. On investigation both appeared rough but at greatly reduced prices were deemed worthy of a gamble. Thank Jeff DeBroeck and Larry Erickson for doing the initial inspection and Larry for helping load out the 4030D with his company forklift after hours in Anchorage.  Cost of the diesel powered unit, $800,00 plus $120,00 in parts, fluids and filters.   In both cases the gamble paid off in a big way.   After a little TLC, about 10 man hours by Jeff, Jerry Peters and Ken Elmore, both machines work very well.  

August 23, 2014 was a crystal clear day for the Alaska State Fair Parade in Palmer, Alaska. Partnering with the Allie Hewitt "Allie in the Valley" the newest State Farm agent in the area, 557 captured a sizable parade crew in the staging area. Found materials went into constructing the mount for the 557 bell and number board. Dean Sawyer and Jim Keene applied the final shine on the bell. Along the parade route our volunteer bell ringer made sure the banner was noticed. Putting 557 on Track fit the parade theme, and the hats at the top represented many of our local in-kind business sponsors in the Matanuska Valley. Our combined effort resulted in being judged the "Theme Winner" for the Alaska State Fair.

Bill Brophy of Usibelli Coal Co. provided an endless supply of individually wrapped Coal Candy, black liquorice hard candy, that augmented the other confections distributed along the route. Great day and great fun with lots of exposure. Thanks to Allie and the State Farm crew and Ron Dudley, Dean Sawyer, Dawn and Jim Keener of the 557 Crew who all walked the walk!

If the sun shines we sand blast and paint. After needle scaling the final step is sand blasting often in very close quarters as Dean Sawyer here works inside the frame and back side of the steam chest. With the locomotive frame and boiler staged outside on clear days sections are blasted and then immediately painted with Clovaprime two part epoxy donated by Rodda Paint Co. Jeff DeBroeck and Jerry Cunnington often work late into the evenings to paint what has been cleaned during the day.

The backhead interior, crown and side sheets presented a cramped working space, but slowly the years of scale buildup on the braces and brackets has been removed. Final cleanup of the boiler interior including the throttle body, dry pipe and forward braces continues with the goal of getting it all painted with Apexior soon.

Tender trucks have been reduced to pieces. Bolsters and side frames have been cleaned and primed. Our goal is replacing the old friction bearings with 5X9 roller bearings while retaining the old journal box style for appearance. Current challenge is obtaining the proper bearing adaptor as shown here, to set on top of the roller bearings and mate with the side frames.

On August 18th, 2014 another bench mark passed with out much notice. It has been two years since the 557 Mechanical Department volunteers took up the challenges presented by 557. The crew of self starters need only a little direction once a stated objective is posted. Project priorities are reviewed by Chief Mechanical Officer, Jeff DeBroeck and set the course for everyone to follow. Jerry Peters is the Master Electrician refurbishing electrical hardware. George Fellers rebuilds valve assemblies and appliances. Doug Vanwingerden is the lead machinist. Everyone picks up where needed to see the job done. When you see a 557 hat with a name on it, that person is in the 557 Mechanical Department and they all deserve our collective appreciation and thanks.

During August, Gypsy entertained several guests in the Engine House. Wasilla Mayor, Vern Ruprite stopped in for an update with Lynn Wilis. Erin Shaver, freelance writer conducted interviews with 557 Mechanical Department for a forthcoming human interest story. Art Solis and Arnie Stoltenberg of the Antique Power Club are keeping tabs on our progress.

Tom Simco of Larkspur, Colorado along with his wife made their second annual visit to 557. Tom is active in Colorado narrow gauge restoration projects, but still finds 557 worthy of major cash contributions.

Dieter Hohans of Luedensdreid, Germany and members of his rail fan group, got a tour and plan to be back when 557 is in service so they can take a ride. Other rail fans regularly show up at the engine house with friends in tow. Walter P. Hart from Pflugenville, Texas brought along Richard Pully of Chugiak for an introduction to steam restoration. Don "Red" Young, another railhead, dropped by from Cissna Park, Illinois.

Marrissa Silver, reporter for ABC/Fox in Anchorage, made the pilgrimage to Wasilla on August 28th and produced a segment for the Channel 13 news. You can view it here.

557 owes her survival to people with a vision. Monte Holm saved her from the torch. On his passing Jim and Vic Jansen purchased the locomotive and donated it to the Alaska Railroad for restoration to operation. On August 28th we were honored to host Jim Jansen and Kristi for a tour of the engine house. Through the course of the day there were 12 members of the volunteer 557 Mechanical Department working and Jim and Kristi expressed interest in everything they were doing. When introduced to the rebuilt locomotive cab, fond memories of setting in the cab with Monte, dreaming of having 557 back in steam, put a big smile on Jim's face.

Enough said.

See you along the tracks,

Patrick Durand, President