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Alaska steam engine moves for restoration
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska Railroad 2-8-0 No. 557 is being moved for restoration, reports the Anchorage Daily News. It was moved by heavy truck on Aug. 15 for restoration is Wasilla.
is Wasilla ???
We have the engine and tender under cover now and have already started work on her. She is in great shape, and we have a great crew working on her return. Wasilla is north of Anchorage and the restoration site is near the main line. More to come and you can follow everything on http://alaskarails.org/pix/former-loco/557/index.html
I’m wondering if there is any footage of the move and if those of us not in Alaska will get to see it. Any movement of railroad notice power or cars via other means is very interesting to watch in my mind. With some of tyre additional hazards of any heavy move in colder climates makes it even more interesting.
The move and setting up of shop, restoration and work will be on the restoration site.
You can see Russia from Wasilla, i’m told.
It is great to see that this steam engine is going to be restored. What a piece of history, and once they are scrapped they are gone forever. The steam engine opened up North America. Thank you for restoring a piece of history and allowing the next generation of children to enjoy looking back at steam. There is nothing like experiencing the sight and sound of a real Steam Locomotive. Thanks again.
It is good news when a steam engine is saved and really great when it is to be rebuilt.
It is good news when a steam engine is saved and really great when it is to be rebuilt.
Wasilla is!
ARR 557 ADN photo link: http://www.adn.com/2012/08/15/2589194/steam-engine-557-on-the-move.html#id=2589184&view=large_view
To Art Chase from Alaska:
Thank you so much for the update and the link. Please consider posting in the forums to keep us up to date on the restoration progress.
Monte literally saved this loco. She is gonna need some tlc, but she is better than others I’ve worked on. I am in the firebox right now checking crown sheets and the work goes on! ( I am allowed a break once in awhile, but who needs em! ) the 557 web site will have up dates often!
Let’s keep in mind and thank the late Monte Holm for saving the locomotive in the first place! By all accounts he was a friendly, kind and humble man who learned about the often harsh realities of life at an early age.
FWIW, there are several of her sister engines at various preservation railways in England, a few of which are either operable or undergoing restoration. She’s a GI S160, which were built by the dozens (hundreds, even) for service overseas during WW2. They were a rugged and reliable design. Sort of makes you wonder why they chose a 2-8-0 and not a 2-8-2 at that stage of the game.
Always a good day when I learn of another steam locomotive being restored!
Steve Mitchell, Yard Goat Images
http://www.yardgoatimages.com
Doug, I believe the railroaded ended up with them because they were what was available. They had other wheel arrangements, but twelve that came to ARR are note worthy. Two of them (builders #3409/10–ARR # 559/560 i think) are the only ones that actually went to Europe and returned to the US. There were 2120 units constructed. 557 was built in 1944.
Wonder if it will be completed before NHRS convention next September?
I am glad to see the return of 557 to Alaska and the activity going on to restore it for service. In June of 1962. I was working with a Tie Gang in the Houston-Willow area. We had the 557 passing through our work area, returning to Anchorage
from Nenana. The engine had been used to pull trains though
high water from the Tanana River. This was the only time I saw
the 557 in action.