Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report November 2022

November came in with a minor snow storm then warmed into the low 30’s until the last week hovering about 0° F. The Crew adapted to the time change and continued work on projects large and small.

Engine 557 hosted a 7 man production crew from Channel 5 Viacom Studios UK, here at the Engine House on Friday November 11, 2022 for a little over three hours. They were preparing an Alaska Railroad segment for NICK KNOWLES BIG RAILWAY JOURNEYS. Our crew had a great time with with the director and the group. The following morning, they were on board the AuRoRa passenger train North bound and we exchanged waves as they passed by the 557 Engine House. Not sure when it will air or if it will in the US, but we will keep you posted.

After all the public show and tell, we removed the smoke box front, headlight and markers for open access in the smoke box. Jeff DeBroeck resumed conditioning the front tube sheet to receive tubes and flues.

Gerry Christiansen, retired Alaska Railroad car man is back to volunteering at the engine house. He was preparing hard grease in 3/8” strips for use in the hand manually operated Alemite guns for greasing the rods. We are still in the market for a pneumatic Alemite Grease gun but not having one we purchase one used manual gun and our machinist, Laverne Buller made another for us.

A new pipe order arrived with material to replace more of the superheater elements, sander pipes and many of the water and steam delivery pipes. Abrasion, and scale in the original pipes just made it prudent to replace them with new schedule 80 material.

Axle #4 journal box lubrication lines are routed differently because this location was originally home to the coal fire grates. After conversion to oil, the space was freed up so the line can go direct to the journal check valve. The draft door box has been left out of the fire pan to make it easier for boiler makers to get in and out of the fire box. The wood banding on the axle is there to protect it from possible dings during boiler work.

The Westinghouse cross compound air pump, is receiving new plumbing thanks to Paul Dalleska and the mid week volunteers like Ron Dudley.

After 79 years some bits and pieces just need to get a new life. The bronze water hose boss from the water side of the injector is firmly bolted to a frame bracket. This one had been bent and had serious cracks that Ron ground out. Mike Bridges then brazed up the cracks and built up the bent mounting ears. He follows that with a little time on the milling machine. Now it just needed a beauty treatment. Finally, Ken Elmore sand blasted and then polished the boss. Just like new.

Terry Douglas took up the challenge of designing and installing heat monitoring thermocouples on all ten journal boxes. The lead time on the wire used was nearly 8 months. The readout in the cab will give full time monitoring.

Valve gear components are coming off the shelf for cleaning and inspection. Ron Dudley did the honors on the combination levers.

What others say:
From Bob Lettenberger, associate editor of Trains Magazine. “Patrick, The January 2023 issue of Trains, with the story on Alaska Railroad No. 557, is on the newsstand. I hope you will receive some positive feedback.”

Alaska Association for Historic Preservation recognized Engine 557 with this award.

Here is an 18 minute 557 video update produced in early October when we were preparing for the October 8th roll out event. Donnie provided this service at no charge to 557. Say Thanks!
Donnie Rosie  Founder at Rosie Marketing

This note came from 557 Board Member and web page host John Combs after a visit on November 14th. “Thanks so much for a great visit yesterday.  Both my wife Terry and I were very impressed with the meticulous work on our beloved 557.  We are truly fortunate to have so many dedicated and skilled folks giving of their time, talents and resources.  Dream steam!” John Combs, Bill Hess took the photo.

November 16, 2022 we had a surprise visit from a long time friend, Ted Spencer. Ted is the creator, curator and life behind the Prince William Sound Museum in Whittier, Alaska. Plan on at least a few enjoyable hours immersed in Alaskan history when you visit in Whittier. I asked Ted for a paragraph or two on his observations. I have attached his entire response here. The heavily edited version follows. He included his photo of 557.  

“On November 16th I made yet another pilgrimage to the Engine 557 Restoration facility in Wasilla to examine the progress on …… No. 557 U.S. Army steam locomotive. My keen interest in this artifact is due in part to its association with the World War Two history of the Whittier Army Port. The No. 557 S-160 steam locomotive was offloaded at the docks in Whittier in November of 1943. The locomotive  played a role in the World War Two events of the battles in the Aleutians and the Lend Lease program benefiting the Russian war effort. It also gave long service with the civilian Alaska Railroad in the waning years of territorial Alaska. Making her way back intact to Alaska after being in Outside storage  for 50 years is yet another miracle in the chapters of this vintage engine's life…..”

Engine 557 does not sell advertising here but we do endorsements. Coming, going or standing still Locomotive 557 depends on Watt-A-Light to brighten the way. New technology is used where appropriate. Pyle National K-240 steam turbines provide 1600 watts of DC at 32 volts. The headlight and backup light are each 500 Watt incandescent lamps with filaments that are focused in a parabolic mirror reflector to pick out a man 800 feet down the track. We have not found an LED that can do that yet.

All the other illumination is provided by 3 watt LED lamps from Watt-A-Light. Number Boards, head light numbers, marker lamps, work lights, cab lights, gauge lights; a total of 18 lamps are used. Total draw 54 watts, is less than two of the old style 30 watt lamps used in these positions.

In addition to low power requirement, the globes are plastic and do not shatter, NO heat, small globe size, standard screw base material does not corrode, no filament subject to vibration fatigue. They are internally regulated from 10 to 86 volts so a runaway generator is not likely to cause failures. One bulb size meets all Engine 557 requirements:
32V DC LED light bulb / 3Watt / standard E26 Base G45S Warm White (3000-3500K)

A sure sign of things to come, an Alaska Railroad track gang was out in 13° F weather assembling the #7 switch that will eventually connect to the Engine 557 engine house lead.

You can view 557 progress at these links:

• 557.alaskarails.org go to Status Reports
• Engine 557 Facebook
• Engine 557 YouTube

The restoration is funded entirely by private donations and corporate grants. Our year end 2022 fund raiser is underway with a goal of $20,000.00. Contributions are being matched dollar for dollar! Read all about it in the message from Dick Morris, our 557 Secretary.

See you along the tracks.

 

Patrick J. Durand
President Engine 557 Restoration Company

 

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