UNIVAR USA
590 E. 100th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99515-2603
(907) 344-7444

UNIVAR is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of chemicals. Along side the Alaska Railroad Corp. mainline in South Anchorage is the Alaska distribution center. Products are received here in bulk by rail and truck and then repackaged and distributed to retail and commercial customers.

I photographed the rail side of the operation in the summer of 2005 with the idea of building this facility as a modern line side industry. The tilt up construction would be easy to emulate with flats along a wall or with a two sided building stuffed into a corner. The siding drops down from the main and is protected outside the company fence with a derail before the single turnout that serves the two tracks going to the bulk storage tanks and the warehouse.

Here is a destination for all those chemical tank cars arriving from foreign roads on the barge at Whittier. Also a chance for animation. The gate protecting the secure property can be made to operate with a Tortis switch machine, either pivoting up from one side to clear the track or rolling back horizontally. You could probably hook it to the same machine operating the switch at that location.

Should be a fun project that can add revenue to your model railroad. -- Pat Durand