WASILLA, ALASKA: WHERE THAT LONESOME WHISTLE BLOWS After I shot the photo of yesterdays northbound Aurora Winter Train that appeared in my post this morn, I headed over to the signal light by the Engine 557 Restoration Company to see if any other trains might be coming soon. Indeed, there was a green light for a southbound train. I couldn’t be sure, but figured it was likely the southbound freight, running a few hours late, so I waited. I was a little big excited for the volunteers working inside to come out and wave as they usually do as it is very rare to have a southbound locomotive by at this time, headed toward the sun. Usually, the morning trains are all northbound passenger trains with the locomotives rolling away from the sun and that makes a huge difference in the quality of light falling on the front of the lead locomotive. After I heard the whistle in the distance, I carefully positioned Sancho just high enough to catch the full arch of the train unblocked by the building but still low enough to read the sign. Sometimes two or three people come out, sometimes a big group does. I hoped for the big group. Soon, the trail rolled into sight - but nobody came out to wave! Once the lead locomotive had passed, a volunteer did open and peek through the door as armored military vehicles began to roll past. Whether he waved at the passing armor or not, I do not know as I sent Sancho flying down to Dog Wash overpass to catch the procession of military vehicles as it passed through. The military vehicles kept rolling by and rolling by and rolling by. After what seemed to me to be a mile or more (logic tells me it must have been less) a long line of regular civilian freight cars came rolling by. And then, even more military vehicles. I figured they must have been coming from Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks. Where were they going? Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson adjacent to Anchorage seemed most likely but for all I know they could have been headed for ships to be sent off to other parts of the nation and/or world. I suspect someone who sees this will know. Maybe they will tell us. |
