Engine 557, 10 years of restoration milestone. Locomotive and Tender finally united!

A video that captures events of October 8, 2022. Where The Locomotive and Tender were united in an event commemorating 10 years of restoration effort.
If you'd like to support the restoration of 557 you can donate at: www.557.alaskar...
or using PayPal: www.paypal.com...

[@bummeroni]

Man I love the look of this engine. It has that "function over form" kind of look.

[@engine557]

The were very much designed that way to be built quickly without frills for export to Africa and Europe during WWII. The export models were even more stripped down with no electric lighting, no air operated fire door, and no power reverse. Most of those that came to Alaska were the "deluxe" model with those accessories fitted by Baldwin. During the war they were sometimes referred to as "Gypsy Rose Lee" locomotives after the famous stripper. We sometimes refer to them as the Liberty Ship of steam locomotives.

[@Einwetok]

@@engine557 I think the Texas State Railroad has/had one of these too. Gorgeous resto guys! Where are ya'll based?

[@engine557]

@@Einwetok Engine 557 Restoration Company is based in Wasilla, Alaska.

[@tallgeese3pilot]

Love the S160 locomotives! Such wonderful steamers that did the job during WWII. I don't think I will ever be in Alaska to ride 557, but I am planning another ride with GSMR 1702!

[@piyasutra20]

1702 Is Also An S160 Locomotive

[@shanewalters2565]

I can't believe she's almost finished! Can't wait to see her steam again soon

[@AlcoLoco251]

Happy to see this engine coming back together. I pray that one day I'll get to see her in steam in person.

[@EngineerDaylight]

She Looks Great!

[@jordonfreeman166]

I’m a member of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and I visited the museum several times when they had 557’s wheels there. I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska but I know I couldn’t visit during the winter because I probably would get cabin fever and I can’t handle the cold.

[@engine557]

We have a couple of photos of the drivers on the TVRM wheel lathe. The number is also written on the wall there along with the numbers of other locomotive they have turned.

[@bov634]

Looking good, alot of hard work is about to pay off.

[@MySteamChannel]

Wishing you well in the restoration of this fine locomotive

[@engine557]

Thank You

[@LancashireAndYorkshire]

Hoping you get her in steam soon. Love from the UK 🇬🇧

[@OfficialSEIC2K6]

The 557 is almost ready for the big day. Finishing touches are coming up soon.

[@engine557]

That may be a bit optimistic. We are hoping for steam tests the end of next year.

[@CarolinaSpecial-No.1397]

0:20 What was that sound? was the 557's whistle or a secondary horn of the diesels? Other than that, great work! I'm unfortunately unable to donate thanks to my age, but I'm glad to see steam make a return to Alaska. I also have an S160 in my state, USATC/GSMR 1702, so I do have a soft spot for army locomotives like 1702 and 557.

[@T128Productions]

That would be #557’s whistle.

[@engine557]

The whistle sounded strange on air at the pressure used in the video. Check out the other short video when we first tested it. It sounds much better.

[@CarolinaSpecial-No.1397]

I guess that makes sense. Compressed air has a different sound then on steam, so it would sound much different.

[@EMDFAST]

Excelent…saludos from chile…

[@engine557]

gracias

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

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 🌎🇺🇸.

[@engine557]

We too will be overjoyed when this restoration is complete, and thank you for the recommendation.

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

@@engine557 You are welcome 😊☺😘🙂 we are glad we could help.

[@astridvallati4762]

2-8-0 loco looks-like a USATC Model, used also on European and British roads in and after WW2. When did Alaska railroads change from 3ft to Standard gauge??? DocAV

[@terrydouglas4022]

557 is a USATC S-160.

[@CrkdFngrGngrBndt]

Same as TVRM 610? But still closer to an original design?

[@terrydouglas4022]

@@CrkdFngrGngrBndt Not really too acquainted with the 610, However, I believe 610 is a later design somewhat related to the true S-160's. Wikipedia says ".....technically not an S-160 but classified as a type A....."

[@RailPreserver2K]

Your probably think of the WP&YR in skagway, they were and still are 3ft

[@jordonfreeman166]

@@CrkdFngrGngrBndt TVRM 610 is an S160A, an improved S160 and the only one built and the last steam locomotive built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. It was built for the US Army Transportation Corps (USATC) for use during the Korean War, but due to railroads around the world dieselizing, it was the only one built. It was in fact built after Chesapeake & Ohio 1309 at the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which was the last steam locomotive built for domestic use by Baldwin Locomotive Works.

[@josephphillips7052]

Is the 557 a standard gauge or narrow gauge ?👍.

[@engine557]

Standard Gauge

[@josephphillips7052]

@@engine557 thanks for the reply 👍

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

All USATC locomotives (excluding the s118 narrow gauge light mikado) were built to standard gauge. Some USATC diesels were built with variable gauge trucks, meaning that they could work on anything from 3 foot gauge to 5 foot 6 inch gauge.

[@transportationproductions1794]

That is so awesome! When will 557 return to service?

[@engine557]

We are working hard towards having it in operation in 2025. Fingers crossed!

[@transportationproductions1794]

@@engine557 Awesome!

[@brianfalzon6739]

Where exactly will 557 run again after completion?

[@terrydouglas4022]

The hope is to run it in excursion service on the Alaska Railroad. A lot of details to be worked out before that can come true!

[@brianfalzon6739]

@@terrydouglas4022 Thanks for the info!

[@mikefilipkowski5445]

is 557 going to be under steam, at what time?

[@engine557]

We hope to be in a position to do steam testing in 2024.

[@ClarissaPacker]

What type of steam engine is it?

[@terrydouglas4022]

557 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type. She was built as part of the US Army Transportion Corps "S-160" Class, during WW-2.

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Is that an S160 I see?

[@engine557]

Yes it is.

[@AfterPartyGoer]

Honestly we need this engine in trainz

[@BigNate5404]

I mean we kinda do but so far the only version that’s available is the one in the USATC livery

[@Relics_tv]

That whistle sounds like compressed air only and not actual steam, it will destroy the whistle

[@engine557]

It was on compressed air. We do not (yet) have steam available.

[@เจนจิราเมธีประภา]

What kind is 557’s whistle

[@engine557]

It's a 5 chime Nathan

[@LongIslandRailfanner]

Is 557's boiler operable?

[@engine557]

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.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

Is She gonna be steamed.

[@engine557]

Apologies for the delayed reply. Yes, we intended to get 557 under steam and running on the mainline.

[@ironphilly2366]

10 year of restoration just to go choo choo