Alaska Railroad 2-8-0 #557 to be returned to service!

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:03 am

The July status report is posted at http://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former-l ... index.html

New piping for the upgrade to a 26L brake valve.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:37 am

The August status report is posted at http://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former-l ... index.html

Our contribution to the thread on attract younger people to railroad preservation is 18-year-old Jessie, our newest volunteer. He has already developed a good set of skills in a work-study program between his high school and a local welding firm. He also reduces the average age of our volunteer crew by as much as five years!

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

Dick_Morris wrote:

The August status report is posted at [FIXED LINK http://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former-l ... index.html]

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Mon Sep 06, 2021 3:13 pm

Fixed the original post. Thanks.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:16 am

A new status report is posted at https://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former- ... index.html.

Sometimes the light at the end of a tunnel looks a lot like . . . a switch. Parts of a 115 lb. switch arrived next to the stub track recently and it will be re-laid to provide connection to the 557 engine house lead which is barely visible at the right edge of the photo. The locomotive came into the engine house nine years ago through a side door and was turned 90 degrees to her current orientation. We didn't install the door on the end of the building and the stub of rail that will be connected to the Alaska Railroad until later.

Mount Royal · **Posted:** Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:22 pm

That’s a significant milestone and very exciting to boot!

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Wed Nov 10, 2021 4:34 am

The latest status report is posted at https://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former- ... index.html

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:40 pm

We are pleased to announce the pledge of $50,000 in challenge grants to kick off the 2021 annual Engine 557 Restoration Company fund raising campaign. The next major expenditure is to bring boiler makers to Alaska from the Lower 48 to oversee and lead in the installation of tubes and flues and completion of the overhauled boiler's first hydro in at least 50 years.

To donate go to https://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former- ... onate.html.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2021 12:46 am

The November status report is now available at https://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former- ... index.html.

One of the final tasks done by the crew of volunteers before reassembling the engine truck was to cut oil grooves in the new Babbitt lining.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:27 am

Alaska Railroad #557 is getting ever closer to going back onto her wheels. This newest edition of the restoration status report is hot off the press. You can find it at https://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former- ... index.html

jayrod · **Posted:** Mon Jan 03, 2022 11:55 am

This is another thread I enjoy immensely. I like the monthly reports with all the photos. You certainly have a dedicated group.

hamster · **Posted:** Sun Jan 16, 2022 5:35 pm

Looks like the 557 group is doing their restoration in the right order. It appears that the plan is to have the loco essentially complete and ready for testing BEFORE installing the tubes. Exactly what is required to minimize the chance of running into the FRA 1472 day clock with a non-functional locomotive. How many locomotives undergoing a 1472 get all the boiler work completed, including the hydro and initial steam test and spend another year or more before they are ready for the FRA inspection? I know of more than a few that were several years into the 15 year/1472 day clock before the FRA inspection was passed.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:33 pm

Quote:

It appears that the plan is to have the loco essentially complete and ready for testing BEFORE installing the tubes.

At least as much as is practical. Lining the fire box and installing the lagging and jacket are a couple of examples of what needs to wait until after the boiler is certified. We have fabricated and dry fitted much of the new piping.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Sun Feb 06, 2022 3:30 am

The newest status report is posted at https://www.alaskarails.org/pix/former- ... index.html

Photos taken last week and in 2014.

Dick_Morris · **Posted:** Sat Feb 26, 2022 7:38 pm

ENGINE 557 HAS LANDED!

With 9 volunteers participating on Saturday, Feb 26, 2022, Engine 557 landed on its drivers at 2:02 p.m. AST and the job of fitting wedges and binders began. This is a major milestone in the return of 557 to the rails of the Alaska Railroad.

A massive thanks to the donors and volunteers who have brought us to this point.

As we come ever closer to steam tests and operation, timely funding for tasks that will require services of a contractor will be the main challenge to returning 557 to operation in 2023, the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Alaska Railroad. Please consider a contribution. There is still a significant part of dollar-for-dollar, $50,000 challenge grant available. Dream Big, Dream Steam! http://www.557.alaskarails.org/support/donate.html