What's New - 2013 Archive

yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Unusual loads - 12/30/13
yellow diamondRosters: Bob Garner added S-12 information - 12/27/13
yellow diamondRosters: Fattening up the rosters with a few from Jonathan Fischer: E9 #2402, F7 #1508 and MoW equipment at Hurricane - 12/27/13
yellow diamondNews: Julia O'Malley: Alaska Railroad family's memories, uncovered after 50 years - 12/27/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Snow kissed #3015 in Fairbanks - 12/23/13
yellow diamondNews: ARRC 3014 Tier 0+ Emission Kit Rebuild - 12/20/13
yellow diamondNews: North Slope natural gas plant delayed - 12/20/13
yellow diamondRosters: Fattening up the rosters with a few from the Don Marenzi Collection: #7249, MRS-1 #1602 - 12/16/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Deane Motis for sending us photos of #3007 in Whittier and #1506 in Fairbanks - 12/16/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent a photo of rotary 4 in Tacoma, WA on its way to the ARR - 12/16/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer's photo of three GP40's in the freight paint scheme sitting in the Anchorage yard - 12/16/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Rotary #4 - 12/16/13
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Many thanks to Gerald Forsyth for sending us current photos of the mechanical reefers in Whittier - 12/15/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska holiday train a delight for youngsters with Christmas on the brain - 12/10/13
yellow diamondRosters: Curt Fortenberry sent us a fantastic shot of F40 #32 - 12/9/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Jonathan Fischer's photos - 12/9/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Don Marenzi tracks down ARR #10 to the Mount Hood Railroad and regretfully reports the scrapping of P-4 at the Portola Railroad Museum - 12/9/13
yellow diamondRosters: Fattening up the rosters a bit with photos of nos. 4327 and 2002, Hurricane Turn near Talkeetna, three GP40's head outside for a new paint job, Hurricane Turn near Chase and a Seattle-Alaska hydro-train hopper ARCX 7001 from Jonathan Fischer - 12/9/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: FP7 #1510 - 12/9/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The November 29 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 12/7/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Let's hope this is the last chapter in this hospital stay saga. On December 2 I began feeling bad (again) and went to the local emergency room. After running tests they referred me on to the cancer hospital at Ohio State University where I was admitted for a third time. Long story short they put in another drain and fed me lots of antibiotics. I was released On December 6 and my wife bravely drove for two hours through a light snow storm so I could be back home and comfortable. Today I am feeling great and ready to tackle the huge mound of website related work. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, support and patience! - 12/7/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Photos and video from Jeff DeBroeck of the removal of the drivers - 12/2/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: No. 557 drivers ready for shipment - 12/2/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: McKeen car on the move - 11/25/13
yellow diamondRosters: Added Curt Fortenberry's photo of USAF nos. 4902 and 4903 - 11/23/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad plans to charge fees for right of way encroachment - 11/21/13
yellow diamondNews: Engine 557 Restoration Company holds raffle - 11/21/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Well the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Not long after my last post I had an urgent medical incident which sent me scrambling back to my surgeon. After he performed his magic he noticed I still was not looking well. A blood test reveled a white blood cell count about five times the normal. I was readmitted to the hospital with an infection which produced chills and 103 degree temperatures. After five days and a ton of different antibiotics I finally was given the green light to return home. Today I am feeling great and ready to get some new stuff on the website. Sorry about having missed last week's Picture of the Week. My next installment will have last week's entry, the current submission and a bonus one as well so dry up those tears! - 11/21/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Did you miss me? Well, I sure as heck missed you! It's great to be back in the saddle again working on this website! As for my cancer surgery there was one major complication that caused my stay to be extended to 14 days. Other than that, things went extremely well and the surgeon informed me I am indeed cancer free!!! My advice to everyone (and I mean everyone!) is to get a full physical every year. If they catch cancer early the treatment is easier and the results could be potentially lifesaving. I'll catch the website up over the next several days. In the meantime, enjoy these two links (1, 2) Robert Krol sent us on the new industrial engines transported by the ARRC for the new Generation Station in Eklutna. - 11/12/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Here are the next three weeks worth of Pictures of the Week. Enjoy! - 10/28/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Tomorrow I will go in for extensive cancer surgery. I will be in the hospital for 5-7days which will be followed by a long recovery time. The website will remain online, but will not have any updates until I get back home and recover. Please keep my wife and I in your thoughts and/or prayers. - 10/27/13
yellow diamondNews: Fairbanks-raised O’Leary named Alaska Railroad chief - 10/26/13
yellow diamondNews: Bill O'Leary named president and CEO of the Alaska Railroad - 10/26/13
yellow diamondFilm: Many thanks to Donna Nasserghodsi, Executive Assistant at Discovery Communications, for the production photos of Railroad Alaska. - 10/25/13
yellow diamondFilm: Railroad Alaska is a six episode series featuring the railroad as well as the folks who live along the rail belt. The first hour-long episode will be broadcast on the Destination America channel (owned by the Discovery Channel) on November 12 and will continue each week thereafter. Cancel whatever plans you may have and sit down to watch this incredible documentary. If you don't have this channel then take the plunge and get it now! - 10/22/13
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Rusty Wendlandt's quad hoppers - 10/22/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Sherman Stebbins for providing us with photos of the new bridge effort at Salcha - 10/22/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Tanana bridge construction for the Northern Rail Extension - 10/21/13
yellow diamondHistorical: Many thanks to Jack Waid, 354th Fighter Wing Historian, for sending the only known photos of the U.S.A.F Command Train - 10/18/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Many many thanks to the employees of the Alaska Railroad Corporation for the get well wishes I received in the mail last week. The four letter sized cards with #3015 on the front and handwritten notes inside definitely brought a tear to my eye. - 10/15/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer provided us with a commentary on James Wickersham - 10/15/13
yellow diamondCreations: Added Tom Koole's Halliburton Pneumatic Railcar (HWCX) - 10/15/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Many thanks to John Leeming for providing us with a photo of former ARR MP15 #1554 now reemerging as GMTX #206 - 10/15/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Charter reflection at Girdwood - 10/14/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Rail grinder - 10/7/13
yellow diamondNews: Holland America to buy major Denali National Park hotel - 10/3/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The grant request to Trains - 10/1/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The September 29 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 10/1/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: No. 501 in Whittier - 9/30/13
yellow diamondNews: Port Mac on schedule, if funding keeps flowing - 9/29/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Added the article Restoration effort backed by community donations - 9/27/13
yellow diamondRosters: Added Deane Motis' photos of #1500, #1500, #1502, #1503, #1508, #1508 and #1517 - 9/27/13
yellow diamondEquipment Rosters: Many thanks to Randy Thompson for sending us the 2013 passenger consists (.xls and .pdf) - 9/27/13
yellow diamondCreations: Added Tom Koole's N scale hopper - 9/25/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: NRHS train - 9/23/13
yellow diamondNews: Rail cars loaded with pipe bust loose from Alaska Railroad train, hit delivery vans - 9/19/13
yellow diamondNews: Loaded rail cars break free, ram trailer in Fairbanks - 9/19/13
yellow diamondNews: Flatcars Strike 3 Vehicles at Alaska Railroad Yard in Fairbanks - 9/17/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Many thanks to Diego Batista for permitting me to use his photos of nos. 2801 and 2802 - 9/17/13
yellow diamondSpecial Features: Art Chase provided us with some photos of the National Railway Historical Society Convention's train. If anyone else gets some shots of this make sure to send them my way so I can add it to the page! - 9/17/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer is continuing to fatten up the rosters with photos of boxcar #10913and diners #451 and #452- 9/17/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: F7 #1508 in Fairbanks - 9/16/13
yellow diamondModeling: Chris Ivins gave us a heads up about Walt hers Pro to's latest run of passenger cars just announced: Alaska Railroad cars, in the '1971' and '1999' schemes (lighted and unlighted) and Alaska F-7A&B units! More. - 9/14/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: In previous entries I told you about my journey through cancer. On August 12 I had a successful procedure to remove all the cancerous material in my bladder. Unfortunately, that was not a long term fix. Of all the options that exist the one that has the best survival odds is a radical cystectomy with neobladder. This means they will remove my bladder, prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. They will then remove part of my small intestine to create an artificial bladder. My surgeon is one of the best in the Midwest and he has done hundreds of these surgeries so I know I am in good hands. The surgery is scheduled for October 28 which will be followed by a long recovery time. This website will remain up and operational, but I will be unable to do updates for the first 1-3 weeks. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and/or prayers. A little extra of these on the evening of October 27 would be especially appreciated! - 9/14/13
yellow diamondAdmin: I keep the working version of this website on a small USB powered portable drive. After five and a half years it finally died. Fortunately, I do regular backups so little if anything gets permanently lost. I believe that to be the case this time. However, if you see something that doesn't look right then please let me know. - 9/14/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: ARR 3019 & 3020 in Seattle - 9/9/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jerry Peters sent us with engineering drawings of cars 216, 303, 304, troop sleepers, kitchen cars - 9/2/13
yellow diamondNews: Need to move a 390-ton engine? Bring a lot of wheels - 9/5/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Jerry Peters for providing us with engineering drawings of cars 22, 23, 24, 42, 50, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 81, 82, 84, 85, 90 and 91 , 92, 111, 114, 115, 116, 201, 202, 212 - 9/2/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad begins search for new president - 9/2/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Hurricane Turn at Twin Bridges - 9/2/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Many thanks to John Sesonske for permitting me to use his photo of #1508 - 8/29/13
yellow diamondRosters: Daniel Osborne added a correction to Gene Adoline's photo of passenger car 003 - 8/29/13
yellow diamondRosters: Bedtime in Boomerville, Hurricane style by Jonathan Fischer - 8/29/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Jerry Peters for providing us with engineering drawings of passenger cars 5 and 6, 11 and 12, 14, 15 and 16, 19 and 20 and 21 - 8/29/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska to host National Railway Historical Society Convention - 8/29/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Many thanks to Mauricio Concha Vega for permitting me to use his photos of Chile GP49s - 8/27/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Jerry Peters for providing us with engineering drawings of passenger cars B1, No 2, No. 5, Yukon and Seward (1, 2) plus a 1946 passenger equipment list - 8/27/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The August 23 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 8/27/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Hurricane Turn at Chase - 8/26/13
yellow diamondBibliography: Added June and July issues of Railfan and Railroad and the August issue of Railroads Illustrated to the periodicals section. Congratulations to Frank Keller and Jonathan Fischer for their awesome contributions to these magazines. - 6/22/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad finds detour for Tanana River bridge construction - 8/24/13
yellow diamondNews: Boat travel under Tanana River bridge restricted - 8/24/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska rail service will return to normal after landslide - 8/24/13
yellow diamondNews: Harding Car wheels itself into Fairbanks history - 8/24/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: My wife Terry and I returned to OSU on Tuesday and talked with the doctor/surgeon who did my surgery on August 12. Most of the news was good. First, the kidneys were clear! This means the cancer has not spread. Secondly, the pathology report designates the tumors as "T a" which is the lowest, non-invasive stage of bladder cancer. Good news! However, due to the large quantity of tumors that he removed and the high probability of reoccurrence, the doctor still feels the best "fix" is bladder removal. There are other things we could try, but the surest cure would be to totally remove the bladder, prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. The bladder would then be replace by an 18-inch section of small intestine sewn into a pouch. This would be major major surgery. I would be in the hospital for a week and under home care for 1-3 weeks. I would be off work for 1-3 months. Terry and I will be doing a lot of research before meeting with the surgeon in three weeks to determine if we should pursue chemotherapy (and risk the possibility the cancer could reoccur and spread) or opt for bladder surgery. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and/or prayers. - 8/22/13
yellow diamondNews: Tanana River Bridge Construction Limits Boat Traffic - 8/22/13
yellow diamondModeling: Michael Patrick wanted to let us know Athearn has announced new tooling Genesis series HO-scale GATX TankTrain tank models. Two styles will be presented for this 23,500 gallon petroleum carrying prototype. - 8/22/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coal train at Riley Creek - 8/19/13
yellow diamondModeling: Randy Thompson says that Atlas Trainman is coming out with HO scale Alaska RR 68' flatcars # 17103 & 17104 next summer. Part umbers 20.002.657 and 20.002.658 - 8/18/13
yellow diamondNews: Glaciers and Green: The Coastal Classic - A Five Star Train Ride from Seward to Anchorage - 8/18/13

yellow diamondWebmaster's note: I am continuing to ask for your prayers and/or positive thoughts. The bladder cancer surgery went fairly well. However, there is still a long road ahead for me. Because of the large amount of cancerous material found during the operation the surgeon said there will be recurrence. Therefore, some day the bladder and surrounding stuff will have to be removed. Also the surgeon has now found a spot on my kidney. In three weeks he will perform a procedure to determine what this spot is. Many thanks to all those who have sent me emails, Facebook posts and phone calls! - 8/4/13

yellow diamondNews: Weld tests show that fallen 72-ton railroad girder may be just fine for Tanana bridge - 8/14/13
yellow diamondModeling: In December Kato will release N scale Alaska Railroad E8A nos. 2401 and 2402, E8B P-30 locomotives for $95 (MSRP). They will also release passenger cars in a 6 car ($160-$170 MSRP) and 4 car ($110-$120 MSRP) set. The locomotives are DCC friendly and car interiors can be lighted with an optional installation kit. - 8/9/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Bird shots - 8/12/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Spencer Whistle Stop trip - 8/5/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad CEO to step down - 8/3/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad approves trail on north bank of Chena River - 8/2/13
yellow diamondNews: The Hurricane Turn is the last flag stop train in the United States - 8/1/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Buses! - 7/29/13
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Many thanks to Randy Thompson for helping me to fill in some info on my Holland America and Princess rosters - 7/25/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Operation Lifesaver - 7/22/13
yellow diamondRosters: It has been over two weeks since I got another photo from Jonathan Fischer. I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms! Check out the Denali Star at Cantwell. - 7/20/13
yellow diamondNews: Ship Creek plan focused on waterfront - 7/20/13
yellow diamondNews: Happy birthday Alaska Railroad, Shem Pete - 7/20/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The July 17 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 7/20/13
yellow diamondNews: Nenana's History Thrived on the Railroad - 7/19/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: I am asking for your prayers and positive thoughts. Back in the spring I went to the Urologist about some minor concerns I was having. He sent me for a CAT scan which revealed a bladder tumor. On June 20th I underwent a procedure which would examine the interior of the bladder plus remove the tumor. The Urologist could not remove the entire tumor and he found growth on the wall of the bladder as well. Further testing revealed it was low grade cancer. He told me the best he could do was to remove the bladder. He recommended I see a specialist at Ohio State University to see if anything else could be done. I met with that doctor on July 17 at OSU's cancer center. He believes he can remove the rest of the tumor and the growth on the interior walls due to better tools and experience. He would then most probably follow this up with chemotherapy. This outpatient procedure will take place on August 12th. As I am a huge believer in the awesome power of prayer I am asking for everyone to pray for me, my family and the entire surgical crew. - 7/18/13
yellow diamondCreations: Added Bristol Weeden's N scale hoppers - 7/16/13
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Joe Kurland, webmaster of the Amherst Railway Society, was kind enough to send us an update on McKinley Explorer railcar #508 - 7/16/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Curt Fortenberry for sending us the GP49 styling diagram - 7/16/13
yellow diamondNews: Ship Creek master plan calls for cruise terminal, train depot on Knik Arm fill - 7/16/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: D&RGW A-B-B-B-A ensemble - 7/15/13
yellow diamondNews: MoW equipment - 7/12/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Glacier Discovery in Bear Valley - 7/8/13
yellow diamondNews: Massive girder for Salcha railroad bridge project topples into ditch - 7/6/13
yellow diamondModeling: Bristol Weeden shared N scaled cement hopper and new old gondola projects - 7/5/13
yellow diamondRosters: A million thanks goes to Jonathan Fischer for sending us photos from his recent trip- Loading gravel at Healy, a Princess in Nenana, Hurricane Turn at MP239 and NB Denali Star at Riley Creek. - 7/2/13
yellow diamondRosters: Raymond Hamm sent us photos of USAF GP40 nos. 4902 and 4903 - 7/2/13
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Many thanks to Steve Katkus for sending us an "As Built" photo of a Difco dump car - 7/1/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Nenana nights - 7/1/13
yellow diamondNews: Railroad must plan to move - 6/26/13
yellow diamondNews: Wedding announcement - Irving/Mund - 6/26/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: The northbound Denali Star, powered by ARR 4326, crosses the Mears Bridge in Nenana - 6/24/13
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger and Rosters: I am fattening up my rosters with some eBay purchases - retired passenger car rosters: 7034 and 7022; former locomotives: 1610, 1603, 1522, 1526 and 1530; buildings: McKinley Park station - 6/22/13
yellow diamondBibliography: Added the September 1991 issue of Pacific Rail News to my periodicals section - 6/22/13
yellow diamondNews: Palmer brewery to offer 'Arkose 557 Revival Ale' - 6/22/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Engine 557 Restoration Company's new shop banner - 6/21/13
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Many thanks to Curt Fortenberry who sent us photos of a center beam flatcar and the railroad's newest hoppers - 6/21/13
yellow diamondRiding/Photographing: Added Chris Paulhamus' summer 2013 train schedule. This should make it easier to photograph trains! - 6/21/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Jeff DeBroeck's latest restoration photos - 6/21/13
yellow diamondNews: Barge arrives in Whittier carrying burnt containers full of groceries - 6/21/13
yellow diamondNews: DOT Updating Rail Plan, Soldotna Extension Discussed - 6/21/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Drivers removed on #557 - 6/17/13
yellow diamondAdmin: I've been out on vacation for the past nine days. I'll try to get the website caught up in the next couple of days. - 6/16/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Gravel in the Elmendorf siding - 6/10/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The June 1 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 6/4/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Signals - 6/3/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Jeff DeBroeck's latest restoration photos - 6/2/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad extension project gets under way - 6/1/13
yellow diamondNews: Children invited to share art that promotes rail safety - 5/28/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us a photo of the Aurora, lead by the 1530 - 5/28/13
yellow diamondVideo: GP-38 #2005 used as helper/cab unit in case the SD70MACs short out in flood waters. 104MB - 5/28/13
Yellow DiamondForms: Added a Class I Brake Test form - 5/28/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: GP-38 insurance - 5/27/13
yellow diamondEmail: Updated Pat Durand's email address - 5/21/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: It's still winter in Whittier! - 5/20/13
yellow diamondNews: Workers Rebuild WWII-Era Steam Locomotive - 5/15/13
yellow diamondHistorical: Pat Durand provided us with two presentations, "A Virtual Trip Through Chickaloon and Matanuska"and "Whittier History & Military Significance" - 5/14/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The latest Art Chase restoration photos as well as a video of he and Jeff DeBroeck removing the last remnants of the tubes from the rear flues sheet - 5/14/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Alaska's Last Steamer Awaits Last Journey (excerpts from Jan.-Feb. 1965 Railbelt Reporter) - 5/14/13
yellow diamondModeling: Added several more scenes from Bristol Weeden's excellent N-scale layout - 5/14/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coal train at Bird - 5/13/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Freight at Indian - 5/6/13
yellow diamondNews: Tour companies plan to halt 2014 Alaska rail service - 5/5/13
yellow diamondRosters: Vigilant yard observer Casey Durand sent phots of numbers 32, 3006, 3013 and 3014 - 5/2/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of MOW equipment in Seattle and No. 2501 northbound out of Whittier. Can anyone tell me the name of the mountain in the background of the second photo? - 5/1/13
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Pat Durand's 0-6-0 #315 - 5/1/13
yellow diamondNews: Port Mac rail extension work continues this summer - 4/29/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The April 23 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 4/29/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: WW II troop embarkment in Whittier - 4/29/13
yellow diamondModeling: Added Rusty Wendlandt's container freight and Jack Klingbeil's tank - 4/26/13
yellow diamondRosters: This is the first time I have seen close up photos of the portal at Bear Valley. Many thanks to Jonathan Fischer for sending these! - 4/26/13
Yellow DiamondRoute Map: Added an aerial photo of Clear Air Force Station - 4/26/13
yellow diamondModeling: Added Rusty Wendlandt's super detailed article on kit bashing GP38-2 #2002 - 4/24/13
yellow diamondLinks: Added a link for Riding the Alaska Railroad - 4/22/13
yellow diamondNews: HAP to operate under a separate train - 4/22/13
yellow diamondNews: City looks to future of Ship Creek - 4/22/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Randy is back in Alaska! - 4/22/13
yellow diamondHistorical: Added another section to the Roadmaster's Corner on Maintenance of Way gas cars - 4/16/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Legislature passes capital budget, adjourns - 4/16/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Roll-by inspection - 4/15/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Many thanks to Guido Beck for sending us photos of the Chile GP49s - 4/13/13
yellow diamondIndustries: Added Shane Durand's photos to the Aquatrain page - 4/12/13
yellow diamondRosters: Shane Durand is helping us beef up the rosters with photos of Helm Leasing (HLCX) GP38 #3878, #3001, #3013 and airport depot - 4/12/13
yellow diamondFilm: ARRC employee Gary Lund sent us photos and information from the movie Runaway Train - 4/12/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: News article "Photos: Restoring Alaska Railroad's Locomotive 557" - 4/11/13
yellow diamondRosters: Here are some of the slides I purchased from eBay - #1606, #1609, #1508, #2502, #3019 and #3015 at the Anchorage depot - 4/9/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of #4007, #8018, #3017, Matanuska bridge and the Palmer depot - 4/9/13
yellow diamondModeling: Added several scenes from Bristol Weeden's excellent N-scale layout and Brian Spencer's Russell plow - 4/8/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: First day of spring! - 4/8/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The March 28 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 4/5/13
yellow diamondNews: NRHS Offers the Ultimate Alaska Rail Travel Vacation: Nine Days of Rare Train Rides and Tours - 4/5/13
yellow diamondNews: Borough gears up for rail construction - 4/1/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Setting sun at Beluga - 4/1/13
yellow diamondNews: Photos: Ski Train, an Alaska tradition - 3/25/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coal on the arm - 3/25/13
yellow diamondNews: Last adult Colony member dies at 101 - 3/24/13
yellow diamondNews: State sells bonds for rail, other projects - 3/24/13
yellow diamondRosters: More crosstalk regarding F-unit paint schemes - 3/23/13
yellow diamondRosters: A million thanks goes to Jason Kuehn for providing historical information on F-unit paint schemes. Can anyone else provide additional information? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated! - 3/22/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Added a link for the article Engine 557 Restoration Co. has historic locomotive on right track - 3/19/13
yellow diamondNews: A stretch of railroad helps Nenana come into its own - 3/18/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: N-scale coal bunkers - 3/18/13
yellow diamondRosters: Added a photo of F7 #1514. A special thanks to Ed Timko for peeling the stuck photo off the glass frame and digitally retouching it for your quality viewing. - 3/13/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Train meet at Hurricane - 3/11/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad cost-cutting will bring 29 layoffs - 3/8/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The March 7 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 3/8/13
yellow diamondNews: N-scale Pt Saint Charles cabooses - 3/7/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad Losing 54 Positions, Laying Off 29 Employees - 3/7/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad lays off 29, cuts 25 vacant positions - 3/7/13
yellow diamondRosters: A special thanks to Ted Spencer for providing better quality images for the circa 1950s Whittier buildings - 2/26/13
yellow diamondNews: Girders for the Tanana River bridge at Salcha - 3/5/13
yellow diamondModeling: Many thanks to Scott McMiller for adding the G scale MTH caboose #1052 to the listing - 3/5/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: The barges are in! - 3/4/13
yellow diamondHistorical: S.S. Turret Crown and the AEC - 2/26/13
yellow diamondHistorical: Railway Routes in Alaska (17MB) - 2/26/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of buildings on Whitney Road. Can anyone provide detailed descriptions of numbers 30 and 34, 35, 36? - 2/26/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer photos of boxcar 1587s, grain car AACX 018, GP38 #2005, GP40 #3051 and the Anchorage yard in 1989 - 2/26/13
yellow diamondNews: Petition seeks Palmer railroad restoration - 2/26/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: CN on the ARR - 2/25/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The February 18 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 2/21/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Added Art Chase's latest restoration photos and video (see entries under 2/18/13) - 2/18/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Placer River Bridge - 2/18/13
yellow diamondNews: Judge refuses to block rail extension to port - 2/14/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Replaced the 557 poster with the latest addition - 2/14/13
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: - Many thanks to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum for providing current and historical information on #1804 2/14/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The February 10 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 2/4/13
yellow diamondHistorical: Started a new section called 100 Years Ago which will feature articles written by Jonathan Fischer commemorating the beginning of the Alaska Railroad. - 2/11/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Good things come in threes - 2/11/13
yellow diamondNews: MoW equipment - 2/8/13
yellow diamondModeling: Bachmann has released the order info for the Princess Cruises Denali Express set which includes GP40, three ultra-dome passenger cars, track and power pack. Click here for more information. - 2/7/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us a photo of the CN train - 2/7/13
yellow diamondNews: Alaska RR No. 2 Conductor Steve Culver retires - 2/6/13
yellow diamondRosters: Added a new category for retired military units. Our first two entries are numbers 1841 and 1842. - 2/5/13
yellow diamondRosters: Added two more Chrissy Holden photos of the Whittier depot area - 2/5/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The February 2 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 2/4/13
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Chrissy Holden for contributing photos of the Whittier depot - 2/4/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Seward depot and observation car - 2/4/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Alaska Centennial exhibit - 1/28/13
yellow diamondNews: Appeals Court Clears The Way For Railroad Expansion - 1/25/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Jeff DeBroeck's latest restoration photos - 1/25/13
yellow diamondVideo: University of Alaska at Fairbanks has put a series of historical railroad videos on YouTube - 1/24/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The January 20 Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 1/20/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fairbanks coal bunker - 1/21/13
yellow diamondNews: Enter a win a chance to travel in style on the Alaska Railroad in the Denali Car this summer. You and your 15 friends will travel to Seward in class, have the day to sightsee and then return to Anchorage in the evening. Click here for more information. - 1/8/13
yellow diamondNews: The 2013 NRHS convention will take place in Anchorage September 18 through 22. Coupled with numerous opportunities for individual tourism, this will be an excellent time to experience the sights of Alaska and the Alaska Railroad. Click here for more. - 1/18/13
yellow diamondIndustries: Dave Schneider provided two satellite images of the APU spur - 1/18/13
yellow diamondAdmin: The Lycos Guestbook I have been using for this website terminated it services without first giving me fair warning. I have lost all my guest book entries made after 2002. Darn it! Today I started using a new guest book which is part of my web hosting service. If a few of you would log an entry on this new guest book I would be most grateful. - 1/17/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fall in Healy canyon - 1/14/13
yellow diamondStories: After over four months of work I finally finished my 2012 trip journal. Enjoy! - 1/9/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: There is now a Facebook page for the Number 557 Restoration Company. "This page is committed to sharing the efforts of a specially trained and gifted group, as they labor to restore a part of our State's history and our National Industrial Heritage.  We at the Locomotive 557 Restoration Company invite you to look around and share the updates of our progress.  Please ask any questions you may have, but please respect the fact that these pages are not a community discussion board.  All questions will be answered by one of our gifted VOLUNTEER Historians and or Mechanics."  - 1/8/13
yellow diamondHall of Fame: The 2013 inductee to John's Alaska Railroad Web Page Hall of Fame is Jonathan Fischer. Congratulations! - 1/8/13
yellow diamondRosters: Added even more Jonathan Fischer photos! F7B #1519, local power in Fairbanks, Fairbanks depot in 1983, CN #5161 at the Anchorage depot and #75 - 1/8/13
yellow diamondNews: Ambitious Alberta-Alaska rail link proposed - 1/8/13
yellow diamondHistorical: Added a Richard Barnes photo of SLRG-30 to the Where Are They Now section - 1/8/13
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: E9s are in the house - 1/7/13
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer really fattened up our rosters with photos of the Fairbanks coaling tower, Dome section house, Fairbanks freight house front and rear, Healy section house, Fairbanks coal terminal, No. 1801 in Fairbanks, No. 3008 lash-up and Denali railcar - 1/2/13
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Jeff DeBroeck's latest restoration photos - 1/2/13
yellow diamondLinks: Added a link for Railroad History of Cora Angier Sowa - 1/2/13
yellow diamondNews: Railroad solicits rail testing - 1/2/13
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Happy New Year! - 1/1/13

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© 1997-2013 John Combs unless otherwise noted