Suuuure Bruce, Whatever You Say! The 111th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is seen disembarking from the ARRC's new Colorado Railcar built DMU number 751. Madam Speaker (in the pink jacket) is shaking hands with the Alaska Railroad's Director of Operating Practices Bruce Pryke and she is flanked by various US Capitol Police and assorted aides. Her entourage rode to and from Spencer Glacier with high ranking officials from the US Forest Service. They were wooing her and Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye for continued Federal Support of their "Whistle Stop" project which was working to open up the spectacular but remote interior of the Chugach National Forest for tourism through the use of railroad access provided by this new car which was purchased in part with USFS funds. There is a funny story behind this shot which is the main reason I took this. Bruce was and is a great friend of mine, but his political persuasion decidedly more red than Ms. Pelosi's! So Bruce grumbled repeatedly that he definitely would not shake her hand. So I made sure to have my camera ready and be out on the deck of the yard tower to document the occasion. And what do you know, that old tough guy just rolled right over and gave her his big signature goofy smile and laugh and heartily welcomed her as seen here. Hah! Whatever your political leanings it still is pretty cool to see the person third in line to the highest office on the planet in your little old railroad yard! Senator Inouye passed away in 2012, Ms. Pelosi lost the speakership to John Boener in 2011 only to regain the office eight years later a position she continues to hold for now as 117th Speaker. Bruce is happily retired in Missouri and the DMU is still hauling happy tourists out to Spencer Glacier and up to Grandview...albeit as an unpowered cab car as part of the elongated locomotive hauled Glacier Discovery train. To learn more about this car check out the page on it at John Comb's fabulous site. Anchorage, Alaska |
