Thank you for the report. Once 557 is operating, I think the "movers and shakers" will suddenly get a beam of light. At the same time, the parts you noted as missing, make it a cosmetic at best. Getting it under a shed, now that would be something useful.

Update on 556:

http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Update ... 88413.html

Thank you for that follow-up piece Alex.

Okay, not all stories have such a quick return on grateful folks out there, but I want you all to meet a guy who thought something should be done.

Anchorage born Frank Perez is a hero to Alaska steam folks tonight.


http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Graffi ... 60993.html

Thank you Frank.

Another reason to add to my long list of why I moved to Alaska 35 years ago.

If you looked at the TV news story you saw some of the 557 group's handiwork. A couple of years ago we created the non functioning replicas shown in the video to replace the long missing whistle and safety valves. It was a way of showing our appreciation to 556 for the parts she gave up to return 557 to life. I didn't make them, but I personally installed the replicas.

This is from a post on TrainOrders:

https://www.facebook.com/terrence.vicens

That link would be the facebook page for the graffiti "artist" which tagged the #566 and got picked up for "felony mischief". Some deadbeat that looks like his parents got sick of him living in their basement and shipped him off to Alaska. Pics look like a typical mouth breather (an actual one in a few).

And oh yeah, the moron set his facebook page to allow for posts from the public. Go over and wish him well in jail.

I absolutely despise graffiti on railroad equipment, and am waiting for the day a freight car paint formula can be produced that paint from spray cans wouldn't stick to. Any chemists out there? Perhaps mandate ingredients in spray cans and in railroad paints so that when someone tries to tag a freight car the spray paint reacts with the freight car paint and won't stick?

Seriously though, I am curious about what is in the bottle Mr. Perez is holding, it might have saved a group in New Jersey tens of thousands of dollars.

The newest status report is posted at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/index.html.

We are starting to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel for the task of installing sockets for upgrading over 400 rigid stays to flexible.

A new status report is posted at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/ ... index.html

The latest status report is posted at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/ ... index.html.

With each photo there is more progress on the installation of the sleeves for 408 new flexible stays. A milepost was reached last month as the first of the rigid stays was threaded into place.

For more frequent updates see our Facebook page at "557 Restoration Company."

A new status report has been posted at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/index.html.

In the end, this is what it's all about.

In restoration, we must never lose focus on the fact that we are working to leave these projects to another generation. They are only on loan to us, and we need to see they get handed off to interested women and men who are our juniors. Whether it's painting or cleaning parts, we must get young people of all ages into the restoration/maintenance loop.

On July 8, 9, and 10 the crew of 557 volunteers held a "Stay Bolt Blitz." Ten or 11 members of the crew worked each day to put 219 of the rigid stay bolts in place and taking care of other tasks, like installing brake air lines on the tender. Lunch each day consisted of wild salmon caught by one of the crew and grilled next to the engine house. Here are a few photos of the results. The last photo is the "after" to the photo in the July 3 post.

Alaska has a special relationship with the Alaska Railroad. Part of that relationship is the many ways that the Alaska Railroad Corporation supports the Engine 557 Restoration Company and other Alaskan orgainzations. On Thursday, July 27, we had a two-hour visit by ARRC President and CEO, Bill O'Leary, marketers Meghan, Sasha McGinn, and Heather Dudick, and Vice President Marketing & Customer Service Dale Wade. They took the full tour of the shop and all were highly complementary. We appreciate them dedicating half of their day to the visit and the drive from Anchorage to Wasilla.

We have posted our new video featuring Alaska Railroad #557 and its ongoing restoration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2TN6y4Xxds&t=23s