Anchorage
Palmer
Art Gibson photographed the Fair Special ARR
#1000 North when he took the train to Palmer on Sept. 1, 1957. Standing
on the Anchorage depot platform, #1000 sports the ice breaker bar required for
her regular runs to Whittier. Looking out behind the loco, you can see the mud
flats, Knik Arm and Mt. Susitna (Sleeping Lady). This was before the railroad
developed this area, moving the main line onto fill and another bridge across
Ship Creek, away from the depot platform. The Seward Observation #5 is bringing
up the rear of the train. The North bound Fair Special was turned on the Y at
Matanuska and backed to the Palmer Depot where Art captured the scene. The Palmer
State Fair Grounds were right in Downtown Palmer, about a four block walk from
the Depot. The clouds and the mud puddles confirm that it is "Fair Time".
Photo courtesy of W. A. Gibson Jr.
Commentary by Pat Durand