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Fundraising campaign launched for Alaskan steam locomotive restoration
Yeay!! #557!!!
#557, what a story of survival of how it ended up here in WA state. Monte Holmes, a scrapper from Moses Lake purchased the locomotive from another scrapper after it had arrived in Seattle for scrapping. Mr. Holmes had the locomotive moved on it’s own wheels via the Milwaukee Road to his scrap yard, and yes his museum in Moses Lake. I remember taking Jeff DeBroeck, the current #557project C.M.O., to Moses Lake in 1991 so that he could see #557 for the first time, as he was a huge Alaska Railroad fan. Jeff was also involved for a few years with me as a volunteer at Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad where I still serve in locomotive service. Glad to see the project is moving forward.
Thank you Trains and Hayley for the support… We are moving forward.
A 557 crew member!