Tunnel Siding

Deep in the Chugach Mountains on the ARR's own remote "tunnel district" veteran Conductor Ron Miller can be seen getting ready to line behind to let his train, the regular daily southbound Coastal Classic back out of Tunnel Siding. The short four car "cruise train" is receding downgrade northbound with GP40-2 3015 bringing up the rear. This little train is also known as the MEX short for McKinley Express. It is made of three Colorado Railcar built "low level domes" and a "bistro car" made from a former SP gallery commuter coach. One can not buy a ticket on this train unless they are sailing on a cruise ship. All the guests aboard this day disembarked from Holland America's liner Zaandam at the port of Seward and are enroute to the wilderness outpost of Talkeetna. Spring comes late in the mountains of the 49th State....

Taken from an open vestibule on the passing Coastal Classic as we headed south for a day cruise out on Resurrection Bay.

Chugach National Forest, Alaska
Sunday June 1, 2008