The drawing of #556 for the children's book also shows her with the Alaska Railroad installed center mounted headlight and hanging bell. Not sure how many of the ex-Army 2-8-0's got this treatment, but 556 was one of them.


Les

The "Ol 556" book and the 50 years that that 556 has spent on display in the park have done a lot towards building a fan base for 557. The municipality finally got worried about liability issues and the lack of playground equipment safety hardware, so the hand rails were removed and it has been put behind a fence. Many people that we talk have fond memories of them or their kids climbing on 556 and they are disappointed that it has been fenced off.

It's surprising how many kids say they have a copy of the book. Although it's publication isn't related to our organization it's proven to be a real boost in our public outreach efforts.

551 through 557 were supplied with headlights when manufactured. It appears that 558 through 562 were not as the standard design for Europe used kerosene lamps and the last five of the class were obtained as surplus. Their electrical systems were probably fitted after they obtained the locomotives. The headlights were located in at least a couple of places on the 550 class.

The group bought new by the railroad were fitted with bells, but the European version was not. I've seen photos of bells in about five different locations on the class, and on some locomotives they were in more than one location during the time in service.

Some or all were also fitted with a second generator later in their life as the 500-watt K-240s couldn't provide enough power when radios were installed.

June was a productive month and a new report has been posted at http://557.alaskarails.org/restore/index.html to show what we have been up to. Among the accomplishments is the progress in fitting the fire box as shown in the photo below. Robert Franzen of Steam Services of America has been on-site for the last week overseeing the firebox installation and will return for another week after the Independence Day holiday.

So not exactly preservation, but give a great idea of what 557 will be looking like soon. Brian Gray of Cambridge, Ohio has completed this 1:18th scale replica of 557. The model is completed in wood and is a tribute to his father who was an engineer on 557 around 1949.

Well done, well done indeed.

Art

Hard not to comment on both pictures of the model and the firebox. Both are wonderful examples of workmanship and craft. I can truly appreciate great modeling for what it is, but the firebox picture makes me all warm and fuzzy. Hope for some more detailed pictures of the crown sheet work if possible. Seems the locomotive has a solid plan with all the right crew making it happen. Congrats on the continued progress. And the great example of the model. Think the crews working on the #557 would appreciate it too. Regards, John.

That is one beautiful model. It is a true tribute to the builder's father.

John Risley, thanks for the comments.
The boiler makers will be returning tonight and Tuesday night for another marathon week of firebox installation. Additional work was done after the photo above. I don't have a photo, but when they left last week, the crown sheet was also mostly fitted and mud ring rivets were reamed. The firebox will be removed at least one more time so that the bevels for the welds can be ground and to give the water side a coat of Apexior paint.

John, here are a few more shots from last week. We did indeed get the mud ring reamed and the sheets have been fitted, removed and as Dick said getting ready for final work. Everyone took the weekend off for a good rest. ( and a little train chasing!) Next week we are tackling the firebox and all the things needed to make it complete. Here are a few of William Nixon's photos and when we finish up next week I'll add some addition detail shots from my pictures. Promise they won't be covered in grime and dust!

As Dick has pointed out, the volunteers and support have been the key to this engine restoration. Pat Durrand for his leadership, Dick Morris, Jeff DeBroeck, Ron, Terry, Stewart, Jim, Lynn, Dean, Mike...and I know I am forgetting to many, have made this all happen. A special thanks go to Robert Franzen and Gary Bensman for their technical service... This has been one amazing rebuild!

Art

Thank you so much for additional photos. Have worked with one of your contractors a few times and seen the incredible workmanship and fitting on mud ring repairs, side/throat sheet and barrel repairs ect. But have never been involved with the crown sheet replacement yet. in a previous life I was a welder and worked with some fitters who were very good. For me to watch boiler makers custom fit these parts into a compliant and safe firebox/boiler is truly a work of art. The odd shapes and bends, occasionally compound bends and shapes as in a throat sheet that was not punched out but custom formed puts me in awe. That boiler plate can be some snotty stuff to work with. And then have your predrilled holes line up properly.......outstanding workmanship and engineering.

I do know if you do this kind of thing for a living and do this kind of thing somewhat regularly it is not really "magic", it is kind of a "what I do" kind of skill. But not that many people are this good. Tip of the hat to you all. Again another example of "how to go about it" verses the "I have a dream" approach all figured out on a placemat at the restaurant. Not to say a few dreams have not came to completion with the original idea on a placemat! Best regards, John.

After an intense couple of weeks, the new fire box has been fitted, tacked together, and riveted to the mud ring. After putting in a 12-hour day on Saturday, a happy crew poses after another milestone is reached.

Here are more pics of the new firebox.

BTW- anybody is welcome to do whatever voodoo you do to the pics for better veiwing... be my guest

Jeff

I am reading this on my iPhone and it is manageable
A little juggling and scrolling
But it works

It is indeed amazing what your group has accomplished with the 557, especially with the additional challenges due to your rather remote location and harsh climate.

While the weather can get pretty brutal up that way by some standards (the locals, of course, are mostly used to it), let's be fair in acknowledging that the locomotive is in a suburb of Anchorage. That's a decent-sized city of well over a quarter million people, with a airport and port area many cities in the 'lower 48' could only dream of.
Sure, it's not in the middle of, say, downtown NYC, Chicago or LA but it's only remote in the sense of distance to the next nearest decent city. If you wanna get technical, I'd think that some towns near where I grew up in the Deep South are far more remote than where 557 currently sits.