In the 15 years or so I have lived in Alaska and closely followed Alaska Railroad operations I have not personally witnessed a passenger train on the Eielson Branch that runs south east from Fairbanks. That all changed on Thursday when I had to chance to photograph this charter that went out towards Moose Creek on the branch. It was a nice and somewhat warm day, -2 to start the day and 20 by 1500 when I called it quits, by Fairbanks winter standards anyway.

The first photo of a passenger train on the Eielson Branch is something I have never witnessed in my 15 years in Alaska. It was such a big deal that the Army provided some air support in the event that there were any unruly passengers. Of course that was just a joke, the Alaska Railroad never has unruly passengers!

But Wait! As I sat and watched the train on the bridge I started to suspect that interaction between the Blackhawk and the railroad might get a bit more interesting.

And sure enough they landed on the deck of ARR flatcar 18645. To say I was surprised would be an understatement but that is exactly what they did. I was parked right on the side of the Richardson highway about 15 miles southeast of Fairbanks, AK all of this was in clear view of numerous drivers on the Richardson but not a sole stopped to see what was happening. I was amazed, but then again there are very few regular and I mean count them on one hand few, Railfan photographers in Alaska.

Taken on February 20, 2025

See also - AKARNG Black Hawk crew executes novel train touchdown, supports advanced MEDEVAC capabilities in SOFAM 25’

Photographs courtesy of Frank Keller