Engine 557 Restoration Company
Progress Report April 2020

This notice from the Fairbanks Daily News Miner sets the tone for April 2020. “The Alaska Railroad Corp. turned a solid profit of $21.6 million last year on improved freight business, but along with countless businesses and industries the railroad's prospects for 2020 are uncertain.” All passenger service but for the Hurricane Turn has been cancelled until July 1, 2020 in deference to Covid 19 concern. The major Cruise operators have cancelled their entire summer operating season, including trains, hotels and ships.

The 2020 season never got off the ground amid the Covid 19 event. A combination of vanishing tourism and the world glut of oil has driven a dual stake in the heart of the Alaskan economy.

Through it all, faithful supporters have made cash contributions to Engine 557 Restoration Company. Robert from Sacramento continued his annual support with another $1000.00. Mark M of Anchorage added $100.00 as did Dennis D. by Pay Pal. Ken T. of Anderson, Indiana became a first time contributor. Marti and Dale S. of West Bend, Wisconsin closed out April with a nice donation. Paul Z of Anchorage hand delivered his $500 check. These contributions are each being matched from the remaining challenge from Jim and Vic Jansen.

Fred Meyer and the Kroger Co. Family just announced that Engine 557 Restoration Company (FM166) will receive a donation of $86.55 for the 1st quarter 2020. This is thanks to the 26 households who signed up for the Kroger Community Rewards program. You can sign up right here FRED MEYER REWARDS.

These private commitments will hopefully influence larger contributions from major patrons like the Murdock Charitable Foundation. It may be some time before these large funds can recover from the market collapse resulting from the Covid19 virus and be ready to resume major grants.

On March 20, we sent out notification that we had suspended all tours and visitation of our facility. On March 28, we notified all volunteers that regular work days were being suspended until further notice. Dick Morris and Pat Durand are doing the necessary administrative tasks from our homes.  Volunteer activities associated with the shop, to include security checks, have decreased so that they now encompass approximately 5% of the normal weekly hours expended before restrictions were put in place.

Our 557 volunteers have been in stand down for much of April but look forward to the time we can all be back on the job in the 557 Engine House here in Wasilla.

Hope this finds you and family in good health and spirits. So far there are no reports of problems among our working group other than cabin fever. I want to keep it that way, we don't need to add to the statistics.

As April advanced into spring fever season, no pun there, some of the crew went to the 557 Engine House to work on projects where they could maintain social distancing. Even cars in the lot were in compliance.

On Saturdays, Jeff DeBroeck and Jerry Cunnington were working the mill and lathe on the rod bushings.

Ron Dudley was out working on several projects. CAC Plastics LLC located here in Wasilla is another IN-KIND Donor. From time to time exotic plastics can provide a solution to a vexing problem. Our Case 721 loader required new “flexible steps” CAC donated a piece of 3/4” thick UHMW from which we cut the required pieces. They stock this material in various sizes for dog mushers building dog sled runners. You might say we’ve gone to the dogs to complete this project.

Ken Elmore came out mid week to install the new control switch on the milling machine. After years of service the original had deteriorated internally and running repairs had been made with plastic snap ties. Works great now thanks to our retired NASA electrician.

Our Cat V80 forklift has given us fits for over two years with hard and no starting. The “certified” technician shows up and it works fine for a few days. You could do even money betting when it would start and when not. Just by chance we found a primary wire that was broken inside the insulation right at a plug. The NASA electrician showed up with a replacement plug, problem solved thanks to Ken. So what does this have to do with restoring a locomotive? Everything, because we started with an empty building and a worn out locomotive. All of the tooling and equipment acquired for the job, most by donation, must be maintained to keep the project moving.

The brackets for the fire pan are all bolted up and tightened in place Thanks to Jerry C. All these bolts in the mud ring and waste sheet are fitted taper bolts. Thanks to Steve Butler for the loan of a 1-3/16 “ reamer to clean up these 12 holes.

Jerry Peters reamed and tapped the right #1 side rod to receive a 3/4” pipe threaded grease fitting. This rod is stamped for locomotive #556 so special scrutiny went into it’s overhaul. The connecting rods are now stored in a space saving rack.

After attempting to source replacement brake rod pins, I finally had Laverne Buller turn them out to order from 1045 round stock. To differentiate these custom pins from commercial ones he stamped the head of the pins 1045 so we can compare wear on them in the future. (My observation is the “Big Guy suppliers” really don’t want to waste time with us one time purchasers. If you have a source, please share contacts with 557).

Paul Dalleska and Ron laid out and drilled all the holes to attach the new 3/8” belly pan to the fire pan. The original fire pan was an all welded assembly that had to be cut apart to remove it from between the frames. Even that could only be done after the rear driver set had been dropped. Our goal is to reuse many of the original parts but fabricate it as a bolted assembly that can be removed without dropping the rear axle. This will require a number of fit ups before the job is done. Watch for progress right here.

At the end of April, Alaska Governor, Mike Dunlevey announced provisional openings for business. While maintaining social distancing, Terry Douglas, Ken Elmore and Gene Augustine enjoyed the sun while we did some spring cleaning around our stockpile of track parts and ties in Palmer, Alaska. Andy Bickford, Manager for SBS Spenard Builders Supply Palmer store has permitted storage of our track components in their yard while we pursue our future operational business plan.

Videographer Ralph Radford produced this photo collage for 557 a few years ago. It evokes the heart and soul of the restoration, the heat of action. Ralph also helped us make “Engine 557-Restoring Alaskan History” possible.

Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you along the tracks.

Patrick J. Durand, President

 

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