What's New - 2017 Archive

yellow diamondNews: Mother Gold, Father Railroad -- The Birth of Wasilla - 12/29/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Gov. Walker eyes dormant Mat-Su-to-Anchorage commuter rail plan - 12/27/17
yellow diamondRosters: Steam locomotive #902 - 12/26/17
yellow diamondRosters: Ever wonder what happened to some of the old Alaska Railroad equipment? Scrapped? Well some of it was pushed off the rails to become rip rap along the Matanuska River. This was the fate of steam locomotive #403. - 12/26/17
yellow diamondRosters: Class 400/500 acquisition dates from a 7/16/1952  letter from the archives responding to an inquiry from the Mutual Security Agency asking about locomotives available for Greece (1, 2) - 12/26/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Snowfleet at Broad Pass - 12/25/17
yellow diamondRosters: Dave Blazejewski caught a monster freight train coming up from Whittier - 12/24/17
yellow diamondNews: On track: Brew@602 scheduled to Thursday - 12/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: Carman Eric Swedberg's wheel change at Portage - 12/19/17
yellow diamondNews: Insurance settlement leaves Mat-Su on the hook for most of a $3 million fix to an empty dock - 12/19/17
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to John Gray for scanning and sending timetable #50, Special Instructions #4 and White Pass and Yukon Timetable #158 - 12/19/17

yellow diamondRosters: Dick Morris provided the following steam roster updates:

Verified by correspondence in July and August of 1949 between the ARR and Army from the ARR archival material formerly in the National Archives.

  • 314 - Traded to U.S. Army, Alaska  for  USATC 6995 which was designated ARR 406. August, 1949. 
  • 406 - Received from U.S. Army, Alaska in trade for ARR 314. August, 1949. 

Verified by ARR internal correspondence from the archives, copy attached. 

  • 501 - Renumbered to 401 to avoid confusion with 550 class. October, 1948.
  • 502 - Renumbered to 402 to avoid confusion with 550 class. October, 1948.
  • 503 - Renumbered to 403 to avoid confusion with 550 class. October, 1948.
  • 504 - Renumbered to 404 to avoid confusion with 550 class. October, 1948.
  • 505 - Renumbered to 405 to avoid confusion with 550 class. October, 1948.
  • 506 - Delete. Didn't exist. The 500 class was renumbered to the 400 class before ARR obtained 406. 

Attached are letters concerning the renumbering. - 12/19/17
yellow diamondNews: DOT has 'no estimate' on when Seward Highway may reopen - 12/18/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coastal Classic along Kenai Lake - 12/18/17
yellow diamondNews: ARRC hopper solicitation - 12/17/17
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to John Gray for scanning and sending timetable #47 - 12/15/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Sherman Stebbins sent us a photo of a blown over gallery car #601 in Delta Junction - 12/15/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad's Hopp to succeed Engebretson as COO - 12/12/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Winter storage - 12/11/17
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to John Gray for scanning and sending timetable #12 - 12/10/17
yellow diamondRosters: More Jonathan Fischer photos: #1508, #1512 and #2402 - 12/10/17
yellow diamondAdmin: I had a CT scan on December 7 and found my cancer has returned. I would appreciate you keeping me in your thoughts/prayers. - 12/10/17
yellow diamondRosters: Mike Gerenday provided us with a photo and information regarding the bridge at Indian River, Milepost 270 - 12/6/17
yellow diamondNews: Athearn announces HO and N scale Alaska Railroad mechanical reefers - 12/6/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The November Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 12/5/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Bicentennial locomotives numbers 1510 and 1512 - 12/4/17
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: I've added a new section called "Reviews". Check out Mike Gerenday's review of Bowser F7 #1506. - 12/1/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer continues to fatten up the rosters with his photos of E9A #2402 at Denali Park, E9A #2402 in the Fairbanks yard and E9A #2402 near Garner - 12/1/17
yellow diamondRosters: During a cab ride on Verde Canyon Railroad F7 #1510 Terry Douglas took a photo of the old ARR inspection placard - 12/1/17
yellow diamondRosters: Robert McDonald submitted a wonderful colorful photo of EMD SW-1 #1203 - 12/1/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Talkeetna River Bridge - 11/27/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer shared photos from his 1994 trip: #2006 along the Susitna River, #3004 leads a southbound freight through Cantwell, #2808 leads a morning northbound freight over the Mears Bridge and #3012 is leading the southbound passenger train - 11/20/17
yellow diamondRosters: Here are the last scans from the 1920s era mechanical department equipment roster: caboose 1000 series, Brill trailer car #303, Brill gas car M-107, Brill gas-electric car M-114, baggage and express series 60, Northern Pacific Railway Company passenger coach 1-9, steel coaches 11 and 12, Great Northern Railway combination passenger and baggage car, Great Northern railway dining car, mail baggage cars 51 and 52, observation car Nenana, Great Northern Railway observation cars, Great Northern Railway parlor car Tanana, Great Northern Railway sleepers, outfit dining cars O-14-X and O-15-X and outfit cars O-2-X to O-13-X - 11/20/17
yellow diamondRosters: Here are more scans from the 1920s era mechanical department equipment roster: box car 800 series, flat cars and gravel spreaders 200 series, gondola 1200 series, Hart convertible car 1400 series, Oliver dump car 500 series, Oliver dump cars 1-33, refrigerator car 1500 series, Panama flat car 2000 series, Roger ballast car 600 series, Rodger Hart convertible car 1600 series, Seattle flat car 700 series, stock car 1300 series, stock car 1300 series (2), western dump car 500 series, wrecking outfit car 002, wrecking tool car 002 - 11/20/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Tank farm - 11/20/17
yellow diamondNews: Brew 602 video - 11/18/17
yellow diamondRosters: I purchased an old (date unknown) mechanical department equipment roster and scanned in engineering drawings for rotaries 1 and 2, spreaders 1 and 2, Russell plow, Lidgerwood unloader, cranes 6 and 55, Bay City and Browning cranes, ditcher 101 and 102, Marion 40 steam shovel, Bucyrus 45 and 70 ton steam shovels, Bucyrus track driver #6, Business car A-1, portable outfit car, tank car #5 and steam locomotives 1, 10 and 20. - 11/15/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad drops contentious policy around private property near tracks - 11/14/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Work train at Summit - 11/13/17
yellow diamondRosters: F7B #1517, F7 #1522, F9 #1524, F7 #1530, Nos. 1838, 1532, 1515 and 1512 in Anchorage yard, Mate-2, and Nenana depot (1972) - 11/7/17
yellow diamondRosters: Baldwin 4-6-2 #901, power car #24 and McKinley Park #1512 south - 11/6/17
yellow diamondRosters: Beefing up the current passenger car roster with Curt Fortenberry's photos of 100, 101, 111, 207, 208, 351, 521 and 554 - 11/6/17
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Jim Somerville for providing aerial photographs of bridges at Gold Creek, Hurricane, Kashwitna, Sheep Creek and Talkeetna- 11/6/17
yellow diamondRosters: Number 1500 brings the northbound Anchorage passenger into Fairbanks - 11/6/17
yellow diamondNews: Little Eska engine a reminder of Matanuska Valley’s coal-mining past - 11/6/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad's 2018 Art Print by Alaskan artist Beverly Stevens - 11/6/17
yellow diamondNews: Restoring Engine 557: Work continues on last steam locomotive to run with the Alaska Railroad - 11/6/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: The HEX train - 11/6/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The October Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 11/1/17
yellow diamondHistorical: Added an update on the Whittier monument - 11/1/17
yellow diamondModeling: Prototype photographs: Under the category "I must have fell asleep at the wheel" here are Mikel Levine's photos of F7 #1503 that he gave me eleven years ago - 10/30/17
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Mikel Levine's 2006 photos of sold McKinley Explorer railcars - 10/30/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Halloween Train - 10/30/17
yellow diamondRosters: F7As at Anchorage Depot, F7A's at Anchorage yard, six locomotives in freight scheme at the Anchorage yard, freight along Turnagain Arm and Nenana Canyon - 10/28/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Airport depot - 10/23/17
yellow diamondHistorical: Uploaded 13 more issues of the Moose Gooser, the monthly newsletter of the Alaska Yukon Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. New issues are 58, 60, 61, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75 and 76. - 10/21/09
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Bill Edgar for proving us with a current photo of ex-Alaska Railroad RDC #712 - 10/19/17
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: For those feeling a little flat today Casey Durand sent photos of the 17XXX series flatcars - 10/19/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer's latest submissions are #1804 near North Pole and there's no place like Dome - 10/19/17
yellow diamondVideo: Anchorage gets stoned - A movie how Anchorage Sand and Gravel gets gravel from Palmer by train and hauled off by local trucks for Anchorage building projects. - 10/19/16
yellow diamondNews: Mat-Su commuter train? We've got the rails, just need the will - 10/18/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Last Cruise Train of the summer - 10/16/17
Yellow DiamondMy HO layout: After 13 years and 5 months of not working on an HO scale layout.....this happened. - 10/15/17
yellow diamondNews: Pride and progress in Whittier - 10/15/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The September Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 10/12/17
yellow diamondHistorical: I'm still plugging away at getting the Railbelt Reporters (ARR employee newsletters) online. I should be starting the OCR process as well. - 10/9/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fall freight - 10/9/17
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Dave Schauer for proving us with the latest status of ex-Alaska Railroad RDC #712 - 10/5/17
yellow diamondHistorical: One of the most important missions of my website is to preserve the history of the Alaska Railroad. Thanks to retired Alaska Railroad employee Obie Weeks I am able to add many entries to the Railbelt Reporters (ARR employee newsletters). Currently I have added his issues from 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959. This barely scratches the surface of his contribution as it constitutes 74 of almost 600 pages. I will be getting more online as the month goes on. The biggest bonus is I plan on using optical character recognition (OCR) software to convert the scanned images to text so they can be searched. - 10/4/17
yellow diamondHistorical: Ed Miller submitted a collection of his father Glenn Miller's photos when he worked for the Alaska Railroad in the communications department, 1948-1977. - 10/4/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Denali Star at Nenana Canyon - 10/2/17
yellow diamondNews: Port Mac rail extension is 75% complete; embankment closed for travel - 10/2/17
yellow diamondNews: Vandalism and thefts close the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension for travel - 9/30/17
yellow diamondNews: Engine 557: Getting history back on track - 9/29/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer is once again helping to fatten up our rosters with photos of E9-A #2402, Power Car #7, former passenger cars 7031 and 7072, ARR 1500, 2402 & 1503 lead the Aurora southbound over Hurricane, #1802 leading the Whittier Shuttle at west portal of the Portage, #3002 on the point of Alaska Fair train departing the Palmer depot, and #3005 works a gravel train up the Palmer branch at Matanuska - 9/25/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fall colors at Hurricane Gulch - 9/25/17
yellow diamondHistorical: Check out the article Discovering Wartime Whittier which talks about John Parys and his photos which are featured here on this website. - 9/21/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fall colors at Riley Creek Trestle - 9/18/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added Jonathan Fischer's photos of numbers 1802 and 1776 at Portage - 9/12/17
yellow diamondRailroadiana: Added a bunch of timetables, documents and the keys to Chickaloon Station to my collection - 9/12/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Northbound freight at Montana - 9/11/17
yellow diamondRosters: EMD MRS-1 #1717 - 9/8/17
yellow diamondBibliography: Added several more articles to the periodicals page - 9/8/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Minor updates to the banner and menu plus added animated GIFs - 9/8/17
yellow diamondNews: The incomparable and majestic Alaska Railroad is coming soon to Train Simulator! - 9/5/17
yellow diamondNews: Bi-level #602 gets a new coat of paint and yellow stripe - 9/5/17
yellow diamondNews: There’s only one coal plant being built in the nation, and it’s at UAF - 9/5/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Bridges - 9/4/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The August Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 9/1/17
yellow diamondNews: Historic Alaska Railroad equipment for sale - 9/1/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Double stacks? - 8/28/17
yellow diamondRosters: Robert Krol provided us with photos of the Denali Express in Whittier and a night shop of SD70-T1 #4326 and GP40 #3015 - 8/25/17
yellow diamondVideo: Here are two videos taken by Robert Krol on 7/26/17 of GP-38 #2008 in Whittier and the Denali Express at the Anton Anderson Tunnel - 4/25/17
yellow diamondHistorical: Many thanks to Norm Grant for sharing his photo of former Alaska Railroad steam locomotive #152 - 8/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: Robert Krol provided us with photos of the Ralvac at Portage for the MOW section. - 8/24/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Potter Marsh boardwalk - 8/21/17
yellow diamondNews: Holland America purchases coaches - 8/20/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Denali Star at Ferry - 8/14/17
yellow diamondStories: Added my Alaska 2017 trip journal. I changed the format quite a bit. Let me know what you think. - 8/13/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added Jonathan Fischer's photo of locomotive crane #55 to my cranes section - 8/13/17
yellow diamondRosters: One of my earliest photo memories of the Alaska Railroad was of the crane in the Fairbanks yard. For some reasons it has always stood out in my mind. Jonathan Fischer has sent us six photos of the Fairbanks yard including the crane. Enjoy! - 8/13/17
yellow diamondHistorical: A brief signal history by David Kocher - 8/13/17
yellow diamondRosters: Curt Fortenberry sent us a photo of #1530 in the Anchorage yard - 8/13/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added Robert Krol photos of the Whitter rail yard - 8/13/17
yellow diamondModeling: In October Walthers will be releasing an HO scale 40' Hi-Cube Corrugated-Side Span Alaska Container  - 8/13/17
yellow diamondVideo: Added Mike Criss's My Alaska shot via his DJI Mavic - 8/13/17
yellow diamondNews: Kenai Peninsula gets 6 projects in capital budget - 8/9/17
yellow diamondNews: Author Helen E. Hegener has published a new book entitled, "The Alaska Railroad: 1902 to 1923: Blazing an Iron Trail across the Great Land". You can view excerpts here or purchase it via Amazon. - 8/9/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Southbound Aurora at Riley Creek - 8/7/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The July Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 8/7/17
yellow diamondModeling: Rapido announced an Alaska RR RDC-2 in road numbers 711 & 712. Due: late 2018, MSRP $325 for DCC and Sound. The dark blue looks purple but am assured it's not going to be purple on the models. Reserve them through Roundhouse Hobbies at info@roundhousehobbies.com. No deposit required, RH discount applies and will ship when received in late 2018.  - 8/3/17
yellow diamondModeling: Prototype photographs: Here are some photos from Mike Gerenday of SD70MAC #4323 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) - 8/3/17
yellow diamondNews: Engine 557 Restoration Co. receives $10,000 in donations - 8/3/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Switching AML - 7/31/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Setting sun along Turnagain Arm - 7/24/17
yellow diamondNews: Stubbs, Talkeetna’s honorary cat mayor, dies - 7/23/17
yellow diamondNews: Nobody hurt when train hits SUV in South Anchorage - 7/20/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added a Robert Krol photo of nos. 2001 and 2003 - 7/19/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Robert Krol sent in a photo of bi-level #602 and adjacent depot replica construction in Soldotna - 7/19/17
yellow diamondNews: Forrest Prince, nephew of the late Don Prince, embarked on a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. You'll find his trip journal here and here. He won a #557 hat in my email lottery and you'll see him wearing it in the photos! - 7/19/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Street running Alaska style - 7/17/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Noordam Cruise Train - 7/10/17
yellow diamondRosters: Aaron Pedersen provides us with a recent photo of 80 tonner #1650 - 7/7/17
yellow diamondBibliography: Author Barton Jennings has published a new book entitled, Alaska Railroad: History Through the Miles. You can purchase it here. - 7/6/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Former RDCs 702 and 711 in Tigard, Oregon - 7/4/17
yellow diamondModeling: Union Station Products now offers HO, N, S and O Scale Passenger Car Sides - 7/3/17
yellow diamondRosters: A close-up photo of the front of MRS-1 #1604 by Jonathan Fischer (1983) - 7/3/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The June Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 7/3/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Windy Bridge - 7/3/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer submits Assorted power in the Anchorage yard (1983) - 6/30/17
yellow diamondStrange Freight: Ken Cringan shared his photo taken at CN’s barge slip in Prince Rupert of a possible logging operation vehicle - 6/29/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Denali Express leaving Whittier - 6/26/17
yellow diamondAdmin: I just got back from a world wind tour of ten of the northeastern states in five days. I should be home for the rest of the summer. Time to get busy on the website again! - 6/26/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Train 130S under Aurora Borealis - 6/19/17
yellow diamondNews: Ride the “Hurricane Turn Train” on the mighty Alaska Railroad - 6/18/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The May Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 6/17/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: As reported in my news section former bi-level gallery car #602 with be paired with the Black Hill Central Railroad passenger car Addie Camp - 6/13/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: My wife and I arrived in Anchorage a day and a half before the start of our Alaskan cruise. Patrick Durand, President of the 557 Restoration Company, asked me to stop by the Anchorage depot for a short board meeting. And then this happened..... - 6/12/17
yellow diamondNews: Soldotna area woman plans to open businesses in railroad cars - 6/11/17
yellow diamondNews: ‘The Iron Horse disease’ - 6/10/17
yellow diamondAdmin: We just got back from a two week Alaska cruise! Time to get busy on the website again. - 6/10/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Avalanche! - 6/5/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Denali and the AuRoRa - 5/29/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The April Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 5/22/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Knik River bridge - 5/22/17
yellow diamondStories: Terry Douglas's latest trip report - 5/21/17
yellow diamondStrange Freight: Patrick Durand craned his neck to capture two cranes - 5/20/17
yellow diamondNews: The Best Route on the Alaskan Railroad - 5/20/17
yellow diamondNews: What Would It Take To Link Alaska & Canada By Rail - 5/20/17
yellow diamondNews: Roadtrippin': Not your usual train trip - 5/20/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Winter's last gasp - 5/15/17
yellow diamondRosters: Adding to the former passenger car rosters #34, #60, and a water tank at mile 51 (1919) - 5/9/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Remote refueling - 5/8/17
yellow diamondRosters: Kevin Burkholder's amazing photos of night shot of the Ski Train in Anchorage, drone view of Anchorage Operations Center, drone view of CN-bound barge at the Port of Whittier and winter Aurora passengers in Talkeetna - 5/5/17
yellow diamond20th Anniversary Email Lottery: Eagle Scout Patrick Carey drew the winning names for the email lottery and names have been posted. Winners will be contacted shortly to arrange shipment. Many thanks to everyone who entered and to all the fine folks who provided prizes! - 4/26/17
yellow diamondRosters: Kevin Burkholder's amazing photos of Whittier Tunnel from Bear Valley, night view of four SD70MACs at Cantwell, empty hopper train at Ferry, Aurora at Healy, night shot at Hurricane, northbound coal at Nenana, freight train through Nenana, Nordic Ski trail at Curry, sunset along Turnagain Arm, northbound freight along Turnagain Arm, northbound freight #125N departing Whittier, Aurora passenger train heads across the Sheep Creek - 5/3/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Repainting dome #523 - 5/1/17
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Jürg Rüedi sent two more photos of extremely well done layout - 4/28/17
yellow diamondRosters: Dave Blazejewski chases a string of Difco dump cars along Turnagain Arm. Check out the drone photos as well as those on the ground. - 4/28/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us some photos taken in the Fairbanks yard in 1983 - 4/28/17
yellow diamond20th Anniversary Email Lottery: Twenty years ago I founded this web site with a simple mission in mind: to bring honor to and educate the public about the Alaska Railroad and to help others find related resources. Two decades later, I am still going strong with that same basic intent. To celebrate twenty truly amazing years I am holding an email lottery. If you do not receive a confirmation within 48 hours then call me at 937-623-3725 and leave a message. - 4/26/17
yellow diamondRosters: As reported the GE 80 tonner #1650 is in the Fairbanks Yard. My sources say the, "1650 was purchased by C&R Pipe.  Rumor has it that Dennis Wilfer got it for $12,000.  Doesn't sound like he's going to scrap it.  Don't know what his plan is. If I hear any more I'll let you know." - 4/26/17
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Jürg Rüedi sent a night photo with northern lights using the magic of Photoshop - 4/26/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Along the Glenn Highway - 4/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: Alexander Gudschinsky and Andrew Packee report that GE 80 tonner #1650 is in the Fairbanks Yard. Apparently, it was purchased through GovPlanet.com for $10,500. Matt Leistico shared Clear Air Force Station's coal fired central heat and power plant shut down last year. The station was connected to public power and a new fuel oil steam plant was constructed. One of the engines was shipped over to Eielson and the other 45 ton switch engine was to be retained at Clear until further notice. Does anyone else have additional information? - 4/17/17
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Jürg Rüedi sent us photos of his eye-popping snow scene diorama. Viewing this makes my models look like cat toys! - 4/17/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Night shot at Riley Creek Trestle - 4/17/17
yellow diamondRosters: Obtained a better copy of the photo of 0-6-0 #301 - 4/17/17
yellow diamondBibliography: Acquired three new periodicals: Alaska Railroad Acquired Diesels (1944), Is Winter Work Profitable? (1925) and Alaska's Need of Railway Development (1913) - 4/17/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Snowfall along Turnagain Arm - 4/10/17
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Two more photos of Steve Williams's ARR SoCal collection - 4/7/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The March Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 4/6/17
yellow diamondVideo: Added Mike Criss's eye popping Alaska Railroad footage shot via his DJI Mavic - 4/6/17
yellow diamondNews: The Lifeline - Accessing Port in Whittier WWII Engineering Feat- 4/6/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad lays some blame on Anchorage for $4.4M loss in 2016 - 4/6/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Snowfleet heading to Portage - 4/3/17
yellow diamond20th Anniversary Email Lottery: Twenty years ago I founded this web site with a simple mission in mind: to bring honor to and educate the public about the Alaska Railroad and to help others find related resources. Two decades later, I am still going strong with that same basic intent. To celebrate twenty truly amazing years I am holding an email lottery. - 4/1/17
yellow diamond20th Anniversary Email Lottery: Many thanks to Athearn Model Trains for adding an HO scale DCC Ready Alaska GP38-2 #2001 to the list of prizes! There are currenly 25 prizes with more on the way! - 3/28/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: F7s at Riley Creek - 3/27/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Stewart Sterling sent of photos of his recent trip on the Verde Canyon Railroad - 3/26/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added another set to Jonathan Fischer's photos of the Hydro-Train in West Seattle in 1988 - 3/26/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Mike Danneman captured ex-ARR F7 #1503 and former McKinley Explorer railcars in Royal Gorge, Colorado. - 3/26/17
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Early April Fool's Day! Check out Tom Koole's F59phi #3205. - 3/26/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added photos of locomotives #16, #1509, #1512, #1515, #1516, 1506/1510 at Portola, #1804 and #3005 - 3/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: A stunning photo of a freight train at Portage - 3/24/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Added a photo of GP7 SFGX #1810 - 3/24/17
yellow diamondHistorical: Photos from a 1958 train trip - 3/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added Eklutna depot (1983) and Healy depot (1959) - 3/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added four caboose photos #1068, #1068, #1077 and #1078 - 3/24/17
yellow diamondNews: Update: Good Samaritan cleans off train graffiti - 3/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: Added four photos to the retired passenger car roster: numbers 31, 89, 7008, and a string of passenger cars in Fairbanks - 3/23/17
yellow diamondNews: Suspect in locomotive graffiti vandalism in custody - 3/23/17
yellow diamondNews: Tagged Downtown: Engine 556 gets hit by graffiti on the park strip - 3/21/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Strykers at North Pole siding - 3/20/17
yellow diamondRosters: From the John Henderson collection Brill #115, Motorailer #213, Brill #304, RF1B #1077 and caboose #1001 - 3/19/17
yellow diamondBuilding the railroad: Added a photo of 1920 snow shed construction - 3/19/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer's photos of the Hydro-Train in West Seattle in 1988 - 3/19/17
yellow diamondSpecial Features: I typically don't post things about other railroads, but thought this current Russell plow example was noteworthy since the Alaska Railroad used one many years ago. - 3/19/17
yellow diamondRosters: Alaska Railroad #555 - 3/17/17
yellow diamondIn remembrance: Many thanks to Gary Munsey for adding his memories of Frank Dewey who passed away March 6th. - 3/15/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: A place called Sunshine - 3/13/17
yellow diamondRosters: From the John Henderson collection numbers 552, 601, 605, 606, 614, 618, 620, 702, 703, 802, 802, 901, 901, 901, 902 and 902 - 3/8/17
yellow diamondRosters: From the John Henderson collection numbers 701 and 902 - 3/7/17
yellow diamondIn remembrance: Wow! This one really really hurt. My friend Frank Dewey passed away yesterday. If anyone has photos or stories they would like to share I would be honored to post them on my website. - 3/7/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The February Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 3/6/16
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Head and tail - 3/6/17

yellow diamond20th Anniversary Email Lottery:Twenty years ago I founded this web site with a simple mission in mind: to bring honor to and educate the public about the Alaska Railroad and to help others find related resources. Two decades later, I am still going strong with that same basic intent. To celebrate twenty truly amazing years I am holding an email lottery. - 3/1/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Aurora crosses the Knik River - 2/27/17
yellow diamondModeling: ARRC Pantone colors - 2/24/17
yellow diamondRosters: From the John Henderson collection numbers 551, 557, 561 and 4004 - 2/23/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us photos taken in Fairbanks in the summer of 1989 of trains were waiting for the passenger to arrive. - 2/22/17
yellow diamondRosters: Dick Morris sent in the original specs for ALCO builder's number 70431, which became #562. He also sent additional documentation on numbers 501 and 503. - 2/22/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Valentine Special train- 2/20/17
Yellow DiamondSD70MACs: Added four photos (1, 2, 3, 4) from Jonathan Fischer of #4012 while it passed through Seattle in April of 2000 on the UP at Argo Yard - 2/19/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Terry Douglas sent us a link to a current photo of UP diner #4815 (ex-ARR #4815) currently located at the Arizona Railway Museum. - 2/16/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad looks forward to 2017 - 2/14/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Northbound Aurora near Talkeetna - 2/12/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad Announces Layoffs - 2/11/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad announces restructuring, cuts 49 positions - 2/11/17
yellow diamondNews: 31 People laid off at Alaska Railroad - 2/11/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad lays off 31 and cuts vacant positions - 2/11/17
yellow diamondNews: Icy landscape, warm welcomes on glacier tour - 2/11/17
yellow diamondNews: Travel Tuesday: All aboard the Alaska Railroad with AKontheGO - 2/11/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Signals - 2/5/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Jeff McCrea sent me a message saying, "pay attention to the passenger cars as they go by....." Did you spot it? - 2/3/17
yellow diamondRosters: Photos of former passenger cars B-1 and #28 from the John Henderson collection - 2/3/17
yellow diamondRosters: From the John Henderson collection #557 at Palmer - 2/2/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The January Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 2/2/16
yellow diamondModeling: Added John Totten's Painting Tips - 2/1/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Caboose 1093 - 1/30/17
yellow diamondNews: All aboard, visitors: Tourism trends up, freight down on the Alaska Railroad - 1/28/17
yellow diamondNews: New townhomes expected in Ship Creek - 1/25/17
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer's photos of GP35 numbers 2501 and 2502 - 1/23/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Aqua Train in Whittier - 1/23/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Northbound Winter Aurora - 1/16/17
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The December Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 1/14/17
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Austin Seely for his photos of the Norwegian Cruise Lines at Crown Point, 9,000 feet of containers at Girdwood and the northbound freight at Matanuska - 1/10/17
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Jawtooth has downloaded numerous videos to YouTube featuring GP49 numbers 2803, 2806 and 2807 in their new home in the Cincinnati, Ohio region. Here are just a few: 1, 2, 3. I guess I need to go there myself and get some photos of the new paint scheme. - 1/9/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: No. 3015 at Crown Point - 1/9/17
yellow diamondModeling: Added several dozen entries for O scale items - 1/5/17
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad Iron Dog Snowmobile Safety PSA - 1/5/17
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Surplused F units - 1/2/17
yellow diamondNews: Flint Hills demolishing North Pole refinery - 1/1/17

yellow diamondAnnouncement: Two of my photos were selected for the annual Alaska Railroad calendar. The railroad currently has a "Catch the Train" photo contest where you can vote for the grand prize winner. Would you mind going to the railroad's Facebook page and voting for my two photos. I'd also appreciate it if you share this post with everyone you know. Thanks! - 1/1/17

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