Alaska Railroad Annual Print Release Date Set for December
Fairbanks depot is featured in the 2008 print

DATE: November 26, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tim Thompson, 907-265-2695

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) will release its 2008 annual print, "Dawn Departure" by Anchorage artist Kurt Jacobson this weekend. Kurt will hold signing events at the Anchorage Depot (411 West First Avenue) on Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and at the Fairbanks Depot (1745 Johansen Expressway) on Saturday, December 8, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The design for the 2008 Alaska Railroad print features the new Fairbanks Depot during the summer. The Denali Star train with a new GoldStar coach prepares to depart the depot headed south to Denali, Talkeetna and then Anchorage.

"Dawn's light breaks upon the Fairbanks Alaska Railroad Depot with the Alaska Railroad's Gold Coach Service ready to board and depart for an exciting railroad adventure," Kurt says. "I attempted to capture the light as it rises and shines its early morning golden light upon the station and train."

This is the second time Kurt has been selected as a featured artist for the Alaska Railroad print. His first piece was featured in 2006 and titled "Lighting the Way."

Prints cost $50, posters cost $25, and pins cost $5. Items from the Alaska Railroad Giftshop will be available as well. An electronic image of the painting is available on the Railroad's web site at http://www.alaskarailroad.com/arrc41.html

John Van Zyle produced the first official Alaska Railroad painting in 1979. Since then, the annual tradition (excepting 1984, when no painting was released) has evolved into a favored collector's item.

The posters, prints and pins will remain on sale at the Anchorage and Fairbanks depots following the signing events and are available on-line at the Alaska Railroad Gift Shop website at http://www.alaskarailroadgiftshop.com.

The ARRC is an Equal Opportunity Corporation. If you need special assistance in order to participate in any ARRC service, program, or activity, please contact The Alaska Railroad Corporation; P.O. Box 107500; Anchorage, AK 99510; Attention: Ouida Morrison - morrisono@akrr.com; 907-265-2529; via Alaska Relay Service for hearing impaired - Dial 7-1-1 from anywhere inside Alaska, OR dial toll-free from anywhere outside the state (800) 770-8255 (voice); (800) 770-8973 (TTY.) Upon request, printed materials can be made.