Across The Great Divide Here is yet another chase I have no recollection of! I wish I'd chased this train more often, and I especially wish I'd photographed around here more often. This location is easily accessible and simply spectacular, but I'll take what I can get and this one isn't too bad. The Alaska Railroad's Seward based 'cruise train' consist made up of the gorgeous glass topped Colorado Railcar equipment referred to by the ARR as the 'low level domes' is on its way back south operated on behalf of Norwegian Cruise Lines. The 7 car train is led by GP40-2 3015 with an SD70MAC on the north end bringing up the rear. They have just crested Divide Summit at about 700 feet and have a five mile descent to sea level and then a sprint over the flats to the head of Resurrection Bay and the waiting vessel. This is about MP 12 on the ARR mainline as they pass the station sign and the south end of the short 1900 foot siding that sits on the mostly level track at the top of the grade. The culvert style "tunnel" in the distance carries the Seward Highway over the railroad and about a quarter mile directly behind me is the tiny 110 foot long 'real' tunnel. Divide Siding |
