The Engine 557 Restoration Company is nearing the end of a 10-year, ground-up, overhaul for operation of former Alaska Railroad steam locomotive #557, the last steam locomotive operated by the Railroad. After being sold for scrap, Monte Holm of Moses Lake, WA purchased the locomotive for his "House of Poverty" museum. He preserved 557 for 45 years, and even operated her a few times. On his passing, the locomotive was purchased and donated to the Company with the intent that it be returned to operation for special excursions on the rails of the Alaska Railroad.
In addition to longer videos, there is a playlist of short, in-process videos created by the late Stewart Sterling, one of the crew of volunteers who are overhauling the locomotive.
See Facebook "557 Restoration Company" for frequent posts on the restoration.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, incorporated in Alaska in 2012, and physically located in Wasilla, Alaska, 50 miles north of Anchorage.
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Crazy I always assumed ballasting was done by having hopper cars pour the load apon the rails in some way
On the mainline they use hopper cars and specialized equipment. However it probably wasn't worthwhile for the railroad to mobilize the special kit for a tiny job like this.
The 557 restoration company is located in Wasilla AK. They have a website and Facebook page with more info.
Things are getting very real!
Where's 557? I need to cook with it 🔥
Is that how it’s done? Not gonna lie, that’s pretty cool! Almost seems like cheating, but I suppose this is a low speed switching track.
They have fancier equipment for the mainline. But as you say this is a small MOW siding, and they have an excavator!
For a video made with a hand-held smartphone camera, you have done a remarkably good job - keeping your camera as steady as possible, and your focus on the best views of the magnificent landscape. Congratulations!
Thank you.
can't wait to see 557 on these rails
That is so awesome! When will 557 return to service?
We are working hard towards having it in operation in 2025. Fingers crossed!
@@engine557 Awesome!
Beautiful
Out of curiosity, why not use lapping compound, like Timesaver?
If you look at about 4:28 on the video you will see we use Loctite Clover Silicon Carbide Grease as a lapping compound. Various grades are used to achieve the desired finish.
@@engine557 same stuff they used for over a hundred years too.
Super video! Thanks so much for sharing!
Cool 😎 train 👍👍👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂
Nice! Hope someday they refresh 3003 and 3006 paint. Obviously keep it the old livery but a face lift would look nice.
Did i see hyce?
Afraid not! We would welcome a visit from him.
Up! to alaska, head north, the rush is on
I love how it's just an air tank with the Whistle attached! XD
Well that’s just a test on its Alco or Nathan 5 chime
Can’t wait to hear it on steam. It’ll sound even better!
Nice!
Thanks!
Now how much pressure did that tank need?
From memory, it was around 120-140 psi when we started. It drops pretty quickly once the valve is opened.
Wow! That was awesome!
Promo SM
Is 557's boiler operable?
We are diligently working towards getting 557's boiler to the Hydro test stage, which would be required to get FRA approval. Once that is completed, we could consider the boiler operable.
So that's what Alaska Sounded like.....
They should put this whistle on the Nickel Plate Road 765
correct me if I'm wrong but considering the environments 557 faced when in operation I think the locomotive will do fine in these kinds of weather. but I guess it all depends on if they want to let 557 endure such obstacles again.
557 of course experienced these conditions, and worse, during her service career for the ARR, and did fine. Her crews were probably a bit uncomfortable at times!
What is the point of a passenger train that only runs once per month? Unless it is only a tourist train? Hard enough for Amtrak to be running a 3 day a week schedule on some routes.
To put this in a bit more context: In Winter the Alaska Railroad runs at least 1 Aurora service per week between Anchorage and Fairbanks, North on Saturday and South on Sunday. The monthly "Hurricane Turn" runs from Anchorage to Hurricane and return on the first Thursday of each Winter month. Both the Aurora and Hurricane Turn will pick up Flag stop passengers between Talkeetna and Hurricane (in either direction). In February and March there are additional Aurora (Anchorage/Fairbanks) services midweek. So "Off Gridders" living between Talkeetna and Hurricane have access to at least one train per week in each direction, plus an extra option once per month. They have to plan for this schedule. People living in these remote places seem to be content with the service they get from The Alaska Railroad, in my experience. Of course Tourists use these services in Winter as well as the locals. In Summer the Hurricane Turn runs from Talkeetna to Hurricane and return 5 days per week. Needless to say there are a lot more passengers in Summers. For more details see the Alaska Railroad website.
Weather won't stop enthusiasts 🙂
In fact since it’s Alaska, the snow probably attracts enthusiasts
It’s great to see such enthusiasm in this process
Just found your channel and Subscribed. Very nice work
Everyday we get just a little bit closer to the hydrostatic test
And the closer we get to the hydrostatic test, the closer we get to the steam test
One safety issue I see is regarding the stay bolt gun. I was taught that the plunger and snap come out of the gun and stays out until you are actually ready to drive the stay bolt. I have seen someone hold the gun like this and accidentally hit the trigger. The plunger and snap took about a 75 foot trip across the shop. This also applies to beading guns and beading tools. This is just a personnel thing but I believe safer.
In New South Wales (Australia) all stay bolts had to be installed by the same person, the theory being that in the days before tension wrench's etc they would all be tightened to a similar torque while if done by different boiler makers the torque may be considerably different from each boiler maker.
Nicely done!
Keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing 557 return to steam again one day.
@557 Restoration Company what is an expected date for the 557's first excursions to come?
Cmon man don’t ask questions like that. Can’t you just be patient?
Come and ride in '25.
@@BMMEC6000 Don't be so rude, at least the 557 is 1 of 2 operational S160s in the USA
@@c.northway8061 I never said anything about her value as a steam locomotive. I think she’s a really great candidate for restoration and I hope to see her one day. I was just saying that there are a lot of people out there bombarding the restoration crews with requests for release dates. It’s really annoying and I just wish people could just wait.
Is She gonna be steamed.
Apologies for the delayed reply. Yes, we intended to get 557 under steam and running on the mainline.
Does anybody else think 5 chimes sound like 6 chimes when their blown with compressed air, or is it just me?
for alaska
My special needs son is overjoyed whenever a steam locomotive is restored to operation, he and I both deeply respect what you are doing and hope you will be finished real soon. My son recommends that you ask FMW Solutions to help you with the restoration of steam engine #557 because that is one of their primary functions and they have helped restore 4 other steam locomotives in North America 🌎🇺🇸.
We too will be overjoyed when this restoration is complete, and thank you for the recommendation.
@@engine557 You are welcome 😊☺😘🙂 we are glad we could help.
Is it a USATC S160
Yes it is.
Hoping you get her in steam soon. Love from the UK 🇬🇧
Any one notice the drone sneak by the end of the boiler on the right side of the screen at 1:44 time stamp?
Bill H was in the shop.
Somebody please put that whistle on TVRM 610
610 is not running for now
@@Redwagon2012I meant if they ever restore it.
@@SouRwy4501Productions Who knows, maybe it might happen.
Nice
Honestly we need this engine in trainz
I mean we kinda do but so far the only version that’s available is the one in the USATC livery
what happened to the one that was with her?
I'm going to assume you mean the tender that was behind her in Moses Lake? That tender was originally from a CR&NW locomotive, transferred to the Alaska Railroad, and put behind 557 when it left Alaska. So far as we know it is still in Moses Lake. We had access to a more appropriate tender already in Alaska, and that is the one you see in the video.
@@engine557 yeah that’s the one I was talking about. you guys did an amazing job with this one though. I’m curious how the Alaska Railroad got ahold of those CR&NW tenders to go behind all of the S160’s they had and what locomotives they were originally paired with.
@@Ian-qs3fz It's not 100% clear how this tender ended up with the Alaska railroad. There is a story that it came over after CR&NW shutdown (1938). The CR&NW roadbed was given to the US government after it closed, and some of the equipment may have been part of the deal. One theory is it came behind one of the 70 series 2-8-2's. Maybe #71 or perhaps a pile driver. This site: seems to confirm it went to the ARR. www.steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=2-8-2&railroad=crn
@@engine557 well I appreciate you being so insightful and answering every question I asked. You guys are doing an amazing job and I look forward to seeing the result of your hard work.
Marvelous video. Worth a trip to Alaska when y'all get this running.
@557 Restoration Company What will come after this as the next milestone for this S160? I haven't seen any updates since this Bubble test
We have been steadily working on addressing the leaks that were identified during bubble testing. For example we needed to remove and reinstall some boiler studs that had minor leaks. The next major milestone will be the Hydro Test. At the moment we don't have a date for that.
Brings back memories of crawling along tight and hot spaces with a spray bottle. Wish I could be down there helping you guys!
@557 Restoration Company After the hydro test, comes test runs. Right?
After Hydro, the next major step would be a steam test. This would involve a fire being lit, and the boiler brought up to operating pressure, and confirming everything is in correct operating condition.