Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report May 2025

In the beginning, There was a worn out locomotive, No. 557 Then came along a man with a vision to see her back in operation in Alaska. Put your hands together and thank Steve Silverstein for launching the repatriation of Engine 557.

Steve Silverstein and wife Enid spent almost three hours with 557 on May 22, 2025. They had lots of questions, as if they had just met an old friend again after 20 years. They paid a visit to the House of Poverty Museum in Moses Lake back in 2005. Monte Holm greeted them with Werther's hard candy and Enid received one of Monte’s silver dollars. Steve’s interest was 557 and Enid visited the cab. 20 years later Enid sat in the Engineer's seat of 557 once again.

After Monte passed, Jim and Vic Jansen purchased 557 from his estate in Moses Lake. Fast forward to 2011 and Jim Jansen, Ed Rasmuson of the Rasmuson Foundation and Steve Silverstein representing the Alaska Railroad, held a meeting that resulted in the initial offering of a $350,000 matching grant dedicated to restoring Engine 557 to operation on the Alaska Railroad. Steve wrote the business plan to support the request. Engine 557 Restoration Co was formed as a 501(c) 3 to manage the job in conjunction with the Alaska Community Foundation.

Steve and Enid will be on the first train that Engine 557 pulls into the future. Their visit was a big moral boost for the volunteer crew.

On May 24, 2025 Steve recalled these early efforts in this informal e-mail as a follow up to his visit. “In 2005 I was Vice President at the Alaska Railroad. My title changed several times: VP, Markets, Sales and Services: VP, Marketing, etc. depending on the CEO so I’m not sure what it was in 2005. I had been hearing about the 557 from other railroaders, particularly from a couple of engineers/conductors. The trip was partly personal and partly business. I had business meetings in Seattle (We had an office there to manage our barge service, coordinate with the BNSF, UP and customers in Seattle and Portland). Enid joined me for the trip over to Moses Lake. Vic Jansen went with us to introduce me to Monte and start some discussion about the 557.’’

I am not sure when the meeting with Ed occurred. I think it may have been in 2010. I spent a few years lobbying internally for the railroad to buy the 557 but there was a lot of resistance from the Operations folks at that time and the CEO, Pat Gamble, wasn’t willing. When Chris Aadnesen arrived, I talked to him and explained the project. He immediately approved but the board wasn’t interested in spending ARR cash so I talked to Jim Jansen. He and Vic put together an offer to Monte’s grandson, Steve Rimple. Jim also arranged a meeting with Ed Rasmussen.’’

The business plan was used in the meeting but it was actually designed as a guide to marketing the 557 in a way that would ensure it could earn enough revenue to support operating and maintaining it into the future.’’

Enid and Steve then sent this note:
“Hi Pat: 
I appreciate your kind note and particularly your time and energy yesterday. The tour and stories were amazing, and we were very impressed by how much effort and thought have gone into making the 557 as efficient and bulletproof as possible. The additional features and the creative use of materials will extend the 557’s life and avoid many of the maintenance headaches that might have gone along with a less strenuous rehabilitation.’’

Enid felt that the opportunity to stand in the cab, as she did in the picture from 2005, and see all the progress was wonderful. It’s a very different locomotive today. Meeting some of your crew and talking to you and the volunteers was a joyful experience. We look forward to seeing the 557 out on the track and again, appreciate all you have done and continue to do.’’

Best regards,
Steve and Enid’’

May 14th opened the Summer Season on the Alaska Railroad with the first Denali Star passing the Engine House about 9:40 a.m. 557 Volunteer, Brice Douglas, was at his paying job as Conductor on board this train. The season schedule now includes the early morning Southbound freight, with a mix of general cargo and empty tank cars with containers on the rear. Then the Northbound scheduled Denali Star, is followed by an empty unit train of hoppers for gravel loading. The parade continues until noon with any number of special “Boat” tourist trains in long form: 4319 leads a full dome train with Holland America and Princess domes bringing up the rear. Then the surprise short two and three coach boat trains fill the schedule voids. At noon everything changes direction with the South bound counterparts. Our crew tries to give a wave as the trains pass by. One passenger made a folded airplane out of a $20.00 bill and flew it off the rear platform. Let’s turn that gesture into a tradition!

This note came from Dave Syren in McCarthy. “As much fun as I had last year participating in this wonderful event, I regretfully am not able to make it this year. But I highly recommend the 557 Charter Trip Fundraiser and I continue to champion the 557 Restoration as it heads towards First Firing’’ Editors note; There are 5 seats still available.

Visitors and what they do and say:

Ken Morton, regular 557 volunteer, organized a Saturday shake down cruise by the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska meeting at 10:30 a.m. May 10th.

“We had quite a crowd. After my brief introduction, I asked Jeff DeBroeck a question and then disappeared into the background while he talked and answered questions for a half hour or so. I received this "thank you" today from the Antique Auto Mushers. I think they also left some cash in the donation tube.”

From Michael Wiedmer representing the club, “Gentlemen, I thank you for being excellent hosts on Saturday. Everyone greatly enjoyed the day and left impressed with both your facilities and your hard work. We appreciate your time and energy!”

This group is unique in fully understanding the relationship between the family and their temporary acquisition. We are only here on earth to protect, preserve and serve the magnificent machines placed in our care. When you find antique autos expect they will be attended by antique drivers. Antique Ken Morton is off to the left.

Mrs. Sandy Quimby arranged for a spring semester tour by Opportunities for Life Long Learning Anchorage for Monday, May 11th. Spring fever is in full force and the group was very attentive. Sandy commented, “It was a great tour and folks appreciated the opportunity to see and learn about 557.”

Greg Durocher continued. “Per request, here are some photos I took of our great tour. I've been wanting to go up there for years, and this was my excuse to finally do it!”

Gene Augustine welcomed the group to the 557 Engine House. Consultant, Paul Dalleska explained the process of setting up the cross head guides for final machine work in our “new” milling machine. Lynn Willis and Ken Elmore lead smaller groups formed to pursue cab visits and more detailed explanations.

Royal Kiehl “Fantastic experience” sent these photos: Crew on task. Welcome to the cab. Billboard tender.

Janine Forrest added to the report with these images: A proud face proclaiming SAFETY FIRST above the Pilot Deck. NATHAN steam injector ready to deliver water to the boiler. Bringing up the rear with water and oil in the tender. Exploring the cab.

Annie Route has this view from the cab. Exploring and a small group with Lynn Willis.

Because our visitors bring a new perspective of 557 and our progress, I do appreciate their photographic contributions to share.

Scott Grundy organized a visit by the Vernon Nash Auto Club of Fairbanks, Alaska on May 20,2025. “Our club has been doing the Adventure Before Dementia Tours all over Alaska and into Canada almost every year since inception in 2009.” They were on return to Fairbanks from a car show at “The End of the Road” in Homer, Alaska. They posed with 557 from left to right, Scott Grundy, Linda Grundy, Bruce McIntosh, Rhonda Morgan. Rochelle Larson & Bill Rufi. Scott followed up, “Thank you, thank you, thank you for the superb tour of the ARR Engine 557 Project you provided us on May 21, 2025! We all enjoyed it immensely and it dominated our dinner conversation following our visit. The immensity, support and meaningfulness of this project are absolutely phenomenal!”

Back in the shop:
Our youngest volunteer, Jesse Lehman started with us in August 2021, and his apprenticeship took him to Sitka on a long term job. He is now back working for the same company as a fabricator in their Anchorage facility. With some Saturdays free he is back with 557. The first job he drew was making all the journal oil lube line connections on the Engine Truck. As built the 12 lube locations for the Heart links and pins were just dimples that you were supposed to find in the dark, squirt some oil at them, and flush debris right down the hole to the bearing surface. After totally rebuilding the assembly to the tune of about $60K we made the decision to design a closed gravity feed lube system. Two seven cell reservoirs were fabricated from 2x2 inch aluminum box section with a lid serviceable from the pilot deck. Now hoses go from the reservoir down to manifolds at the back of the truck frame which moves with the swing links. From those manifolds, individual hoses connect to fittings at each lube point. When you fill the reservoir, expect over a trip that the level will go down. If not, find out why. Just another upgrade for 557.

While down there on the Engine Truck did you notice the wire loom? That protects the electrical leads going to the heat sensor inserted into the axle bearing brass. All 10 axle bearings have thermal readout with an alarm in the cab thanks to Terry Douglas, who designed, assembled, installed and personally paid for the entire system.

Long time financial supporter, Laurance (Larry) Altoff of Littlestown, PA has just donated a second brass whistle for the 557. This is a CNR “STANDARD” three chime. His friend built a custom crate which weighed 98 pounds loaded for Alaska. Our long time supporters at Lynden Transport moved it from Fife, Washington to Anchorage for 557. We documented all the numbers (some not legible) for the record. McAVITY 17?? is possibly the foundry? The base and valve body carries a logo of the WORLD cradled in a hand.

Al Steinbeck and Brice Douglas reinstalled the headlight and number board after they had been removed to allow the smoke box front to receive a proper fiberglass seal around its perimeter similar to that for the firebox door.

The small forklift converts to a crane to lift and place the last crosshead guide in the “new” milling machine. Paul Dalleska machined a new tool fixture adapting our NMTB 50 Arbor to make set up easier. Jerry Cunnington supervised the job on the guides. On May 29th the machinist on the job were, Jerry Cunnington, Paul Dalleska, Jeff Loffert and Gerry Christensen, a helper. The milling machine was making the final pass.

Oops, some one broke a cast pipe clamp, and Jeff Loffert machined a new one out of steel. He dressed it to resemble the cast piece it replaced.

Details, details, details must be managed. With all the additions to 557 like MU lines some people have to lay down on the job. It is getting crowded under the fireman’s running board with a new bracket supporting the insulated blower line. Laying in these new air lines becomes a group effort. Did you notice the new running light?

New brackets with stand off were made for the steam line on the right side going to the air compressor. The Turbo Generator needs the steam line secured with new brackets on the left side.

I have been asked to write a book on Engine 557 Restoration. I already have a title. SO YOU WANT TO RESTORE A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE? Subtitle Read this book first! You can read it now in some 150 issues of 557 Status Reports. Here is your direct link.

Travel safe, I hope to see you along the tracks.

Patrick Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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