Engine 557 Restoration Company, Spreading Ballast

Here we see a short clip of an Alaska Railroad Excavator mounted on a "High Tracker", spreading ballast on the new MOW siding near the 557 Engine house. We also see the new track connecting us to the rest of the Alaska Railroad.
If you'd like to support the restoration of 557 you can donate at:
www.alaskarail...

[@combsjp]

Things are getting very real!

[@heyitssarahj1268]

The 557 restoration company is located in Wasilla AK. They have a website and Facebook page with more info.

[@clinchfieldtheghostfriendly]

Where's 557? I need to cook with it 🔥

[@NathanielPiscian]

Crazy I always assumed ballasting was done by having hopper cars pour the load apon the rails in some way

[@engine557]

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.

[@malamutehunter]

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.

[@engine557]

They have fancier equipment for the mainline. But as you say this is a small MOW siding, and they have an excavator!