ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) seeks entries for its annual commemorative artwork program by Thursday, March 31, 2022. ARRC commissions the selected artist to create artwork as the basis for ARRC’s official 2023 commemorative print. Established in 1979, the program helps participating artists gain exposure with a connection to a beloved icon of Alaska.

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Experience the magical winter scenery between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska from the comfort of the rails.

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PALMER, ALASKA - On display next to one of four original train station sits an icon of Palmer, a 1910 Baldwin narrow gauge saddle tank engine known as Number 5, or the Palmer Train. Since it was put on display in the late 1950s a roof was built over the little engine to keep it out of the elements. Over the New Year's weekend of 2022, the strongest windstorm in over 40 years whipped through the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys causing severe damage to buildings and the power grid. Many trees were blown over, small aircraft destroyed, roofs blown clean off, and some buildings were obliterated. Unfortunately the roof covering the little engine in Palmer did not survive and fell victim to the storm. The roof is seen on the engineers side of the engine and the stack was knocked off, oddly enough holding part of the shed up. By the looks of it, the wind picked up the roof at the same time it was falling over possibly saving the wooden cab. From my survey the only damage to the engine is the broken smoke stack. The posts of the shed were rotten due to age of the structure. It's unknown at this time what will happen to the engine, its owned by the City of Palmer and I'm sure they have more pressing matters currently with the aftermath of the storm. Winds were clocked over 90 miles an hour in places. Engine No 5 was originally used in the construction of the Alaska Railroad and after completion it was used in the Moose Creek mines between Palmer and Sutton where narrow gauge lines were used to haul coal to the standard gauge track. To my knowledge it is the only narrow gauge saddle tank engine used in the construction of the Alaska Railroad that survives. The honorary 1 on display next to the Anchorage Depot was a construction engine but was converted to standard gauge. I hope something will be done to the little engine of Palmer, its as iconic as the water tower and the train depot.

See more photos here (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)