Alaska Railroad #557

First served for the US Army during WWII and served in Africa and Europe. This was called a Gypsy Rose Lee locomotive and got named after a famous strip tease. After the war was over, these got shipped back to the United States and went to work for the Alaska Railroad hauling freight and passengers between Seward and Fairbanks. #557 was converted to oil for fuel instead of coal when other steam locomotives were retired. It then continued for excursions and special events until 1957 when it was stored in Whittier. It was purchased for scrap in 1964 and was ready to be sent on roll-on-roll-off ship the next year. It sat on display at Moses Lake Iron and Metal Co. in Washington State until a group in Alaska decided it was too unique to be scrapped and was sent back to Alaska where it will be restored so those who have interests in railroad history can ride someday.