The start of a very successful late winter chase after a recent snowfall. An export coal train is the first train to traverse the line south of Anchorage after a recent snowstorm. I plan to show a few photos in chronological order.

 

Number 2 in the series was this shot as they traverse the curve at Beluga before the sun clears the Chugach Mountains.

 

Number 3 in the series is this shot at Gorilla Rock along Turnagain Arm. 

 

Fourth in the series is 4002 busting through some drifts as the roll through Brookman.

 

5th in the sequence of this train as they are about to pass the work train’s caboose which will be seen in the next shot.

 

6th in the series shows the export coal passing the work train caboose in the siding at Brookman.

 

No 7 in this series shows 4002 busting through the Toadstool Road crossing in Girdwood, AK

 

No 8 in the series. Perhaps folks are getting tired of this one but I promise we are winding down. This was one of my favorite winter chases. Seen here crossing the highway to Whittier in a burst of snow.

 

No 9 of 10. The snow dust has settled as they move through the crossing. They are now entering the roadless section so my chase ended here. I later spoke with the conductor of this train and he said things were pretty deep in the Spencer Valley.

 

And now the 10th and final shot in this series shows the DP units moving away from as they enter the Spencer Valley where soon they will begin the almost 3% climb up Grandview Hill.

 

Photographs courtesy of Frank Keller