Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report April 2022

April, brought sunny skies all month, slowly warming to 70° days. Great time to be alive and railroading in Alaska! Engine 557 was standing proud on her drivers, ready for the next big milestone event in her revival.

David Erickson organized a tour visit for Boy Scout Troop 209 at the 557 Engine House on April 12th. We had a small but attentive group for about 90 minutes. Hopefully we triggered some long term interest in the Railroading merit badge. They left behind a donation of $300.00 which was matched dollar for dollar.

Future Farmers of America held their Alaska State Convention in Palmer and two groups of young farmers, from the Kenai Peninsula and Delta Junction, ventured to 557 for tours. Seeing all those fresh, articulate kids always gives me a moral boost with assurance that the bubble of the 24 hour news cycle does not represent the “real America”. I always thank them for coming by 557.

Thanks to the 29 households who are signed up with 557 for the fredmeyer.com/communityrewards we received $86.91 for the first quarter of 2022. Sign up now and imagine what 290 families will generate. Those dollars are being matched at this time.

On Thursday April 14th, Engine 557 joined the tender for the first time in many years. A large volunteer crew was on hand that day. Nine volunteers in the line up of most likely suspects are: Jim Keene, Jessie Lehman, Tom Walker, Ken Elmore, Jerry Cunnington, Terry Douglas, Paul Dalleska, Mike McKervey, Michael Bridges, Pat Durand and Mason Petersen were behind the camera.

Terry Douglas captured a short video of tender meets locomotive. Measuring for all the connecting hoses, the drawbar and the apron deck commenced. Our newest volunteer, Mason Petersen, tried out the engineers seat. A few days later Dick Morris, our Secretary/ Treasurer and volunteer from day one, assumed the same pose at the controls.

With the milestone marriage making local news, Gerry and Maria Keffer, past volunteer and 557 Board Member respectively, came out for the event bearing pies for the crew and a nice donation for 557.

What others say:

James Rasmussen opined, “Thine crew doth smite gluteus maximus with pedal appendage!”

Andy Wartman commented on Facebook, “One of the best catalogued and transparent restorations out there! You guys have done a fantastic job and should be proud of yourselves.”

Engine 557 volunteers are making the connections between the tender and locomotive. Fuel delivery is being facilitated with Dixon Cam lock 2" fittings and 2" 150 PSI Petroleum Transfer hose Flexwing200. This is all new hardware in brass with lockout protection on the caps for both the fuel delivery and condensate drain on the fuel bunker. An SOP for fueling and a delivery log are now part of our documentation. There are three control points on both the fuel and condensate lines; the spring loaded emergency cut off plug valves, gate valves with lockouts and caps with lockouts.

US Ecology has agreed to supply 557 with "Used OIL" that has been dewatered and filtered for future operations. Our initial fuel supply comes as a donation of "Flush Oil" from Inlet Energy in Anchorage. This is new, clean oil of various grades that is collected during the processing and transportation of lubricating oils. On April 28, 2022 we charged the tender with 25 gallons from a 275 gallon tote to check the integrity of all our plumbing in the fuel bunker. So far so good. Thanks to Keith Nore, Mike McKervey and Paul Dalleska for making it happen.

After the 25 gallon charge, Paul followed up with a photo of the dip stick showing 2” of oil, which considering the slope back of the fuel bunker, should confirm our calibrations on the dip stick.

The pilot project continued with Mike McKervey priming the assembly with Clovaprime. Nearly everyone has been involved in fitting up and repair of the old fire tube pilot until the final fit was made. In the process we built a work platform out the front of the smoke box to assist the boiler makers when the tubes and flues are installed. Mike Gerenday provides a view of things to come through the firebox door.

557 and her sisters started life as coal burners. When they were all retired and coaling facilities closed, 557 was converted to bunker C. The grates were removed and a fire pan was fabricated and welded up in place. It was bolted to the mud ring and then lined with fire brick.

Before we could remove the old pan we had to drop the rear axle. One year ago we rebuilt the fire pan in 6 pieces so it could fit in over the drivers to be bolted together in place.

After wrapping the No.4 axle with protective wood slats, installation of the fire pan commenced by installing the rear sheet and left wall. Ron Dudley and Michael Bridges supported the sheet on the fireman’s side. Paul Dalleska worked the alignment tool from the inside. Mike McKervey and Lynn Willis assisted from the right side. Mike B, Paul and Keith Nore worked on the inside of the firebox during the fit up.

With the fire pan in place it provides support for a work platform for the boiler makers. We left the draft box and rear center panel out to provide easy access for the boiler crews up a four foot ladder. They do not have to squeeze through the fire box door.

By the end of April great strides had been made as subassemblies come together and 557 looks like a locomotive. Terry Douglas provided these two views of accomplishments, Front and Rear.

Matching Challenge funds are still available to double your contribution to:

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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