Heading for the Hills

The Alaska Railroad dispatched a "snow fleet" work extra consisting of two GP40-2s pushing Harsco/Jordan Spreader 9 south to Portage to begin opening up the railroad to Seward. The southern end of the ARR's mainline had been out of service since the last coal train ran but was being prepped for some lumber barges due into Seward later in the month. While there is no snow to move here, in about 5 miles they will be deep into it cleaning the mountain over Grandview Summit. Alas, this spectacular piece of mountain railroad is roadless from this point south to Moose Pass, on the far side of the mountain, so for us this is where the chase ended.

Portage, 2/8/17