You mean September, Dick, this summer flew by for me, too. But always look forward to 557's status reports.

Thanks. You're right, I corrected it.

October was another productive month. Parts are being put back together and much progress was made. The latest progress report is at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/ ... index.html.

In the attached photo, 557 Project Manager Patrick Durand describes what was involved in installing a replacement firebox to former Alaska Governor Bill Sheffield. Governor Sheffield is also a former Chairman of the Board and current Board Member of the Alaska Railroad Corporation.

Not to limit himself to the preservation of a single locomotive, Pat has also been involved in assisting with the logistics and Alaskan introductions for representatives of Corey RAILS, the group which has purchased and intends to restore the last complete Class A Climax locomotive. See the report for information on the return of that locomotive to its birthplace in Corey, Pennsylvania.

We are excited to announce that our 2019 fund raising campaign is being kicked off with a massive $60,000 donor matching challenge!

Several high dollar expenditures are in the pipeline and we are ready to contract for the work as soon as funds are available.

We welcome your financial support. Information on contributing by credit card or check can be found at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/support/donate.html

Oh. And we set the cab in place today!

The latest Engine 557 Status Report is posted at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/ ... index.html. We are deep into our 2019 fund raising campaign and $60,000 matching challenge. We welcome contributions to support getting 557 back on her wheels.

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

This month saw a visit from an engineering firm who donated their services to do an accurate survey of the locomotive's frame and other components in lieu of the time honored methods of manually tramming the locomotive. All of the points of interest to us will be mapped to within a few thousandths of an inch. More than 40 scans from numerous locations were used to provide an accurate location of numerous points on the locomotive. The image was one produced as part of the survey.

Now use the scans to 3d print the most super-accurate HO model ever, to satisfy even the most discerning rivet counter!

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

Verifying that rod lengths are to the drawings.

Thank you once again for your "nuts and bolts" pictures and short explanations as you go. In particular the points of using the scan for measuring. I know the scan is not cheap but that technology used in this kind of application is down right exciting stuff. Worked on a large project here in the lower 48 that had the scan done. Way over my head to personally use it on anything I did, but to see the numbers for the shoe and wedges for instance "appear as if by magic" was incredible. Have watched people tram before and do the fitting. The scan is just incredible. Maybe I said that already? Also liked your demonstration of making templates for the heavy copper tubing. For those who have never worked with or tried using the heavy copper tubing it is not "your fathers copper tubing". Very stiff and hard to work with so you want to get it right the first time. I highly recommend not attempting to make an adjustment casually, if it starts to kink the boss will have your hide. Don't ask me how I know. Anyway thanks for the continued updates and best to you and your crews project. Always get excited to see the next months updates. Regards, John.

The laser scan, rental of the building we are in, many of our welding supplies, seven years permanent loan of a forklift, legal work to obtain our 501(c)(3), and many other items and services have been contributed by businesses in the area. We track the in-kind contributions and, to date, their value is over $700,000. Without our in-kind contributors this project would have been impossible. Posting their logos on the Engine House wall is a small way for us to show our appreciation.

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

It's a good feeling to see the rebuilt and replacement parts coming off of the shelf and out of the storage containers, such as these bell cranks for the brake rigging, and being mounted back on the locomotive.

The most recent status report has been posted. Links to it and the previous seven years of reports can be found at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/index.html

The 33 inch diameter lead truck wheels and axle are being trued up and profiled at Roteq Alaska, in Wasilla about a half mile from the engine house. Their specialty is rebuilding rotating equipment such as large pumps and that makes them well equipped and capable of overhauling our wheel set.

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

Activities have slowed appreciably, but they haven't stopped. We have been able to continue some single person jobs where we can ensure ample separation. Several of our volunteers have been occupied by independently working on various tasks in fabricating and fitting a full new set of rod bearings and preparing the rods for installation.

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

Making do with the machine tools we have. Setting the work piece up on our Bridgeport clone mill to true the bore on the big end of a 127" long main rod.

June's status report is posted at http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/ ... index.html. Despite working around COVID-19 challenges, much has been accomplished.

After an unsatisfying search for replacements for three missing Alemite button style grease fittings, volunteer machinist LaVerne B. looked at them and said, "I can make that." So he reverse engineered one from the locomotive and created three new fittings and a matching grease gun adapter, each proudly stamped "LB."