|
Picture
of the Week: Winter Aurora - 12/28/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Tom Koole's Geocaching Tours passenger car - 12/27/15 |
|
Misc.: Railfans submitted their best photos and the top 18 were selected on best artistic merit. Vote for your favorite by January 10, 2016. One grand prize winner will receive the honor of the ARR calendar's cover, $1,500 and round trip travel for four. Click here to place your vote. - 12/27/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The November Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 12/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Peace, beauty and tranquility - 12/21/15 |
|
News: While riding the rails in Alaska, breathtaking views come one after another - 12/20/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Holiday train - 12/14/15 |
|
News: Video: All aboard the Holiday Train - 12/9/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Blazejewski's romp - 12/7/15 |
|
News: Photos: Riding the train to the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction & Ball - 12/6/15 |
|
News: What Alaska gets out of the new federal transportation bill - 12/6/15 |
|
News: Congress passes transportation bill allocating $2.9 billion to Alaska - 12/6/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Returning locomotives from snowslide at MP 246.7 - 11/30/15 |
|
News: Alaska Railroad train gets stuck in snow slide near Talkeetna - 11/26/15 |
|
News: Tesoro to buy some Flint Hills assets in Fairbanks, Anchorage - 11/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Coastal Classic at Trail River - 11/23/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Tres Amigas - 11/16/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The October Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 11/13/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Four Mike Criss photos - 11/9/15 |
|
News: Alaska Railroad given OK to move more gas - 11/5/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Rusty Wendlandt HO scale 65-foot gondola - 11/4/15 |
|
News: McKeen Car Cuyamaca Restoration update - 11/4/15 |
|
News: President Obama signs H.R. 3819; PTC extension now official - 11/2/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Glacier Discovery at Potter - 11/2/15 |
|
News: Alaska Railroad gets multi-year reprieve from costly train safety rule - 10/30/15 |
|
News: Ride the rails: In Alaska and around the world - 10/30/15 |
|
News: Capitol Christmas Tree preps for 4,000-mile journey - 10/30/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: Stewart Sterling's October 557 restoration photos - 10/28/15 |
|
2016 ARR Print: The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) will release its 2016 annual poster/print at three public sale-and-signing events featuring artist Jason Vukovich who will sign prints and posters. For more info click here. - 10/27/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The September Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 10/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Fair Train and fireworks - 10/26/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: From KTUU, Assignment Alaska: Resurrecting an 'Iron Horse' - 10/25/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: No. 3015 in Seward - 10/19/15 |
|
Where
Are They Now?: David Rohdenburg captured ex-ARR GP49 #2806 in brand spanking new paint - 10/14/15 |
|
Where
Are They Now?: Todd Hanson sent us photos of ex-ARR RDC #712 in Duluth, Minnesota - 10/14/15 |
|
News: Alaska Railroad OK’d for LNG transport - 10/14/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The August Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 10/12/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Company work train heading to Broad Pass - 10/12/15 |
|
News: Train and ferry to the outdoors - 10/9/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: F7 #1506 in fresh snow approaching Girdwood - 10/5/15 |
|
Rosters: Many thanks to Matt Leistico for providing photos of Nenana depot circa 2015 - 9/28/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: The hills are on fire - 9/28/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Rusty Wendlandt HO scale 16xxx hoppers and K&W containers - 9/23/15 |
|
News: Usibelli mine says it won't export coal for the rest of the year - 9/13/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: FRA's DOTX 219 - 9/21/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Door panels - 9/14/15 |
|
Admin: Here is a question from modeler Randy Thompson, "Tangent has come out with a HO scale PS3 coal hopper that looks like a match for the Alaska Railroad 144xx series hoppers. Tangent's version is an 80 ton, 2750cf built in 1957, is that close to the ARR version? Do you know the year the Alaska RR hoppers were built, capacity and the CF? " If you know the answer please send me the info and I will forward it on. - 9/13/15 |
|
News: ATV driving on Alaska Railroad tracks nearly crashed into train, police say - 9/13/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Reflection at MP 145 - 9/7/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Mears Bridge - 8/31/15 |
|
Rosters: Jonathan Fischer is helping to beef up the rosters with August 1993 photos of hoppers 14751 and 14903, boxcar 10775, water car 682E, tank cars 6008 and 6051, flat car 12513 and the ARRC HQ building - 8/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: No. 3015 on Turnagain Arm - 8/24/15 |
|
Where
Are They Now?: Keith Froedge sent us two photos of ex-ARR GP49 #2803 fresh from rebuild at R.J. Corman - 8/23/15 |
|
Rosters: Terry Douglas added Low Boy #4 to our MOW roster - 8/23/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Rusty Wendlandt keeps cranky out the HO scale models. Check out his new batch of containers. - 8/23/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Crowley spur - 8/17/15 |
|
Historical: Many thanks to John Taubeneck for sending us Alaska Central/Northern railway news tidbits from the Seattle Times - 8/16/15 |
|
Where
Are They Now?: Terry Douglas and Brian Zak provided information on the status of ARR
bi-level #602 - 8/16/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Tom Koole's N-scale connaboose - 8/16/15 |
|
John's bio: I made the centerfold for the Alaska Railroad's 2015-2016 Panoramas magazine - 8/16/15 |
|
Rosters: Jonathan Fischer spotted a fleet of Ryder rental trucks in the Anchorage yard - 8/16/15 |
|
News: Alaska Railroad launches photo contest - 8/16/15 |
|
News: Sagging exports hit Usibelli coal production for fifth year in a row - 8/16/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The July Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 8/10/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Fireworks and three paint schemes - 8/10/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous! Check out Rusty Wendlandt's TNM hoppers and 187xx series flat cars - 8/4/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Chugach Explorer - 8/3/15 |
|
News: With revenue drop projected, Alaska Railroad explores alternative moneymakers - 7/28/15 |
|
News: Farmers in path of stalled Point MacKenzie railroad line get $8 million - 7/28/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Pier 15 1/2 - 7/27/15 |
|
Admin:
I just got back from a week long vacation along the Ohio River. I'll begin updating the website soon. I gotta go back to work tomorrow. No more vacations for the rest of the year. :-(
- 7/26/15 |
|
News: On the Alaska Railroad, a moveable feast with a moveable view - 7/21/15 |
|
News: Outdoors Amazing views of glacier make new Spencer Bench cabin popular -
7/21/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: River views - 7/20/15 |
|
Admin:
I just got back from a two week vacation. Needless to say I am buried in
electrons! I'm sorting through over 500 emails and dozens of submissions.
Don't hold your breath, but I've got lots of new stuff to add to the website.
- 7/19/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The June Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 7/1/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: River views -
7/20/15 |
|
Admin:
I just got back from a two week vacation. Needless to say I am buried
in electrons! I'm sorting through over 500 emails and dozens of submissions.
Don't hold your breath, but I've got lots of new stuff to add to the
website. - 7/19/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
June
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 7/1/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Here are the next three weeks worth of POTWs -
6/29/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: Stewart Sterling's work crew photos
- 6/6,
6/13
and 6/20
- 6/25/15 |
|
News:
Learning a New Approach to Railfanning in Alaska - 6/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Hurricane Turn (posting a day early as I am taking
Father's Day off) - 6/22/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Rusty Wendlandt's
188xx series flat cars
- 6/20/15 |
|
News:
Now it can be told: 100-year-old ledger sheds new light on Anchorage
in 1915 - 6/16/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Fire suppression -
6/15/15 |
|
News:
Nenana railroad depot opens historical hotel - 6/9/15 |
|
News:
On Alaska Railroad, wilderness worth the waits - 6/9/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: SD70MAC on gravel train -
6/8/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
May
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 6/4/15 |
|
Rosters:
Shane Durand sent us some photos of all four of the former MP15s
- 6/2/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: "Oh, the engineers would see
him sitting in the shade, strumming with the rhythm that the drivers
made." Check out Stewart Sterling's painting
557's drivers photos - 6/2/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad head: Controlling right-of-way is vital to operating
safely - 6/2/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Moose Pass -
6/1/15 |
|
In
remembrance: Stewart
White - 5/27/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Empty coal train on Eielson -
5/25/15 |
|
News:
Winners of the Denali Car raffle - 5/19/15 |
|
Freight/Passenger:
Added Curt Fortenberry's photos of flat cars 19209
and 19217 - 5/19/15 |
|
Rosters:
Dick Morris sent us some additional historical information on steam
locomotive #562 - 5/19/15 |
|
News:
Anchorage, railroad have ties that bind - 5/18/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Whittier bridge rail work -
5/18/15 |
|
News:
Interior Energy Project moving ahead, bit by bit - 5/17/15 |
|
News:
Work underway to link Clear Air Station to electric grid - 5/12/15 |
|
Links: Added
a link for Sikumi Custom Alaska Cruises
- 5/12/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
April
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 5/12/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Aurora Winter Train -
5/11/15 |
|
Links: Added
a link for Eric's
Car of the Month October 2008 edition for ARR Colorado Railcar
bi-level passenger cars - 5/7/15 |
|
Film:
Chris Beheim sent the link The
Cheechakos Project for "The
Cheechakos"
- 5/7/15 |
|
News:
Walker signs bill allowing bonding for rail safety system - 5/7/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad sees decrease in moose deaths caused by trains - 5/5/15 |
|
Maps:
Shane
Durand sent us a photo of an Anchorage
yard drawing from the early 1950s - 5/5/15 |
|
Rosters:
Curt Fortenberry added a photo of a 163XX
series hopper - 5/5/15 |
|
News:
Take in Alaskan scenery, wildlife on 12-hour rail ride - 5/5/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Connaboose -
5/4/15 |
|
Film:
Added Greg Thompson's photo of #1810
to the movie Under Siege
2 - 4/24/15 |
|
Rosters:
I'm very excited with Jonathan Fischer's recent submission to help
fill in my former
passenger car roster with numbers 4806,
5012,
5404,
5408,
6310
and 7013.
He photographed these in the fall of 1980 on their way through the
Stacy St. yard in Seattle.- 4/30/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Talking shop -
4/27/15 |
|
Bibliography:
Frank Keller has been a busy little bee publishing huge articles in
the December 2014 Railroads Illustrated and 2015-1 Passenger Train
Journal. I added both entries to the periodicals
section. Also, a new book entitled, Alaska
Railroad In Color Volume 1: Decades of Transition will be vailable
July 2015 - 4/25/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad Trips That Suit the Whole Family - 4/25/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
March
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 4/20/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Horizontal rainbow -
4/20/15 |
|
News:
Railroad Days - 2015 Alaska Railroad Open House - 4/17/15 |
|
Rosters:
Curt Fortenberry sent us two photos of passenger car #5715 (1,
2),
hopper #14402, flat car #19000
and tank car #9305 - 4/17/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: Stewart Sterling's March
28 557 restoration photos - 4/17/15 |
|
Rosters:
Many thanks to Bob Garner for sending us updated information on former
passenger car #5717 - 4/14/15 |
|
Special
Features: Added two of Shane Durand's photos
of #3012 in primer to "Repainting
the Power - 3012"
- 4/14/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Bridge beams -
4/13/15 |
|
News:
Oilfield freight balances refinery freight loss for Alaska Railroad
- 4/12/15 |
|
Strange
Freight: Frank Keller submits a photo essay
on new bridge beams
- 4/10/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Snowfleet at Broad Pass -
4/6/15 |
|
News:
Bill allows Alaska Railroad to issue bonds for safety technology -
4/5/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Double stacks out of Whittier -
3/30/15 |
|
Special
Features: Added "Repainting
the Power - 3012"
- 3/24/15 |
|
Rosters:
Jonathan Fischer's barge
bookends, more
barge bookends and Passage
Canal - 3/24/15 |
|
Misc:
Do you want a free ex-ARR F7? If so then check out this Craig's
List ad - 3/24/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: Dan
Boyard sent #557
photos that appeared in my book "Big
Bend Railroads" and ones that were cut for one reason or
another. - 3/24/15 |
|
Film:
Many thanks to Volker Gerisch for sending a YouTube
link of stunt work performed during the making of Runaway
Train - 3/24/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Bristol Weeden's
SeaLand flat cars -
3/24/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Cruise train at Windy -
3/23/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: In the middle of nowhere -
3/16/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
February
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 3/12/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Empty coal near Rainbow -
3/9/15 |
|
Rosters:
Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of GP7 nos. 1802
and 1803 - 3/6/15 |
|
No.
557 Info:The 557 Restoration
Company is holding a raffle to raise funds to put #577 back on the
tracks. First prize is a Private Denali Car day trip to Seward. Click
here
for more information or contact Pat
Durand to purchase a ticket.
- 3/6/15 |
|
Links: Added
a link for HO
scale Alaska Railroad track repair article - 3/6/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: MATCHING
CHALLENGE - DOUBLE YOUR DONATION - On March 2, an anonymous donor
issued a matching challenge. He will match up to $5,000 in donations.
Donations by cash, check, or through the web page, including sponsorships
of tube and flues, are eligible for the 100% match.
- 3/6/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: ARR 4010 130S Glenn Highway -
3/2/15 |
|
Freight/Passenger:
Added Jonathan Fischer's photos of retired passenger cars nos. 4842
and 5203 -
2/28/15 |
|
Freight/Passenger:
Shane Durand shared photos from a "hopper
graveyard" - 2/28/15 |
|
Historical:
Chris Beheim provided us a news article on the first
spike - 2/26/15 |
|
Reference:
Dan Bolyard has published a book titled "Big Bend Railroads."
The next to last chapter of the book covers the 557 from delivery
in Everett in 1965 to departure to Alaska in 2012. It is available
now on Amazon.com. Click here
for more information. - 2/26/15 |
|
In
remembrance: David
Tempest - 2/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Nodwell at Portage -
2/23/15 |
|
Historical:
Retired Alaska Railroad employee Andrew
J. Clark shared 114 photos collected during his time working in
the communications department - 2/22/15 |
|
Historical:
Sherman Stebbins added a 1904 photo of the Alaska
Central Railroad lumber mill to his online historical section.
- 2/20/15 |
|
Rosters:
I am blown away by all the time, effort and research Joost Majoor
put into these Excel timetables.
Many thanks to him for sharing them with us! - 2/20/15 |
|
Rosters:
A heartfelt thanks to Brian Zimmer for sharing a short history of
his great great grandfather Benjamin
Franklin Eidenier as well as a photo of steam locomotive I.C.C. #287.
This helps to fill in one of the remaining holes on my Alaska Railroad
locomotive roster! - 2/20/15 |
|
Modeling:
Robert Krol pointed out that Testors dropped all their railroad
paint However, there is a new modeler's paint called Tru-Color.
-
2/20/15 |
|
Modeling:
"I wanted to let you know about my 3D N scale cars and
upcoming projects. I currently have two Alaska cars on my Shapeways
shop - Upper Level Platform Car #651-656, and the Royal
Celebrity Tours Wilderness Express cars #1001-1004. I am currently
working on the single level dome cars (along with the VIA Rail cars)
#551-554 and $555-557. My Shapeways shop address is - https://www.shapeways.com/search?q=BCCan."
Peter Cawthorne, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia -
2/20/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Posted Dave VinZant's
trailers - 2/20/15 |
|
Modeling:
Since the announcement of the new
Rapido
Trains HO scale RDC they have been inundated with requests for
more information. The first release comprises the RDC-1 in Phase 1
and Phase 2 versions. Next up will be the RDC-2s and RDC-3s.
The ALASKA Railroad had RDC-2’s and RDC-3’s, so please
email Rapido Trains and ask for them to include the ARR units when
they do those two models in the near future.
The American RDC models feature numerous road name-specific details,
including accurate roof blisters; etched window safety grills; shop-built
headlight assemblies; pilots or no pilots as appropriate; accurate
interior colors for each road name; and optional diaphragms, as
appropriate.
Most importantly, all of our RDCs feature full interiors; full
underbody equipment; lit number boards, headlight and class lights;
and the option of amazingly accurate sound. If you are interested
in an ALASKA model please email Rapido Trains and let them know!
- 2/19/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: NRHS
grant serves as ‘seal of approval’ in search for more
funds - 2/16/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Coastal Classic at Bartlett Glacier -
2/16/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
January
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 2/15/15 |
|
Modeling:
Many thanks to Ivar Aas from Norway for helping to update the
G scale modeling page - 2/12/15 |
|
Email
Addresses: Added
Italian locomotive engineer Filippo Zandonà's email address
- 2/12/15 |
|
Rosters:
Shane Durand contributions: The
Death of 1802 and 1806 and death
of the Russell plow - 2/10/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad accepting art submissions for annual contest - 2/10/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Coastal Classic sunset -
2/9/15 |
|
Rosters:
Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of the Aurora
roaring through Montana and as
nature intended it. - 2/5/15 |
|
Freight/Passenger:
Added a new section on idler flats
- 2/5/15 |
|
Rosters:
Many thanks to John Carrico for contributing photos of steam locomotives
404 (1, 2)
and 405 during
their time in Spain - 2/5/15 |
|
Where
Are They Now?: Paul Powers
sent in a recent photo taken by Elena Powers of retired ARR
bi-level #601 in Delta Junction - 2/5/15 |
|
Reference:
Dan Bolyard has published a book titled "Big Bend Railroads."
The next to last chapter of the book covers the 557 from delivery
in Everett in 1965 to departure to Alaska in 2012. It is available
now on Amazon.com. Click here
for more information. - 2/5/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: They aren't
as cute as a kittens or puppies, but they don't need to be fed, you
don't need to clean up after them, and they won't grow up. 150 new
boiler tubes and 50 new flues recently arrived in the 557 Engine House
and each is looking for a sponsor. Can't you just imagine one looking
up at you with its big eyes, tail wagging, and hoping that you are
the one who is going to pick it for a sponsorship? For details, go
to the Engine 557 page under "donate."
- 2/4/15 |
|
Admin:
I turned 55 about a week ago and the celebrations finally wound down
last night. I am seriously behind on this website, but will start
cranking out updates in the next couple of days. If you've sent me
recently then have no fear. You will see it soon. - 2/4/15 |
|
News:
Natural gas could come to Fairbanks via railroad - 2/4/15 |
|
News:
Mat-Su gets reality check for $35 million rail extension request -
2/4/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad safety project faces state's new fiscal reality -
2/4/15 |
|
News:
State agency to purchase Fairbanks natural gas utility - 2/4/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad celebrates 90th anniversary of 1925 serum run - 2/2/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: A tale of two trains -
2/2/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Old Man Winter comes to Alaska -
1/26/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Ballast train at Portage -
1/19/15 |
|
Historical:
Margaret Wray added two more excellent photos to Stephen
Krawczyk, Living in Alaska. - 1/15/15 |
|
Modeling:
From Randy Thompson at Roundhouse Hobbies -I'm home in Washington
for a short visit in mid-March and will be shipping all the RH orders
on hand. Please mail any additional RH orders and payment (check,
money order or paypal) by March 7th so I can be sure to fulfill your
order while I'm there. An email to: randy17428@gmail.com to verify
your order and payment type would be helpful and ensure your order
is on hand and expedited as soon as possible. There's lots of new
stuff out this spring and I still have some HO and N scale passenger
cars available. Thanks for your understanding and patience. Hope to
hear from all of you soon. My mailing address is on the RH website
contact page.
- 1/13/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week: Coal train at Moose Pass -
1/12/15 |
|
Special
Features: Alaska Railroad Special
Agent Badges
- 1/11/15 |
|
Alaska
Facts: Many
thanks to Rick Kisinger for Alaska population updates. It's been 11
years since I updated this page and the data was pretty stale. - 1/11/15 |
|
News:
Alaska Railroad celebrates its 30th birthday under state ownership
- 1/11/15 |
|
No.
557 Info: The
December
Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report
- 12/6/15 |
|
Hall
of Fame: The 2014 inductee to John's Alaska
Railroad Web Page Hall of Fame
is Frank Keller. Congratulations! - 1/6/15 |
|
Picture
of the Week:
Bi-level commuter railcars -
1/5/15 |
|
Rosters:
Jonathan Fischer provided us with photos of no.
2803 and friends, ARR 14100
along East Marginal Way South in Seattle on 5/26/14 (hoppers
roster page) and CRLE 4020
on Harbor Island on 5/31/14 (flatcars
roster page) - 1/2/15 |
|
People's
Creations: Additional photos
of Bristol Weeden's Garden
Island layout and Jeff
McCrea's private railcar - 1/2/15 |
|
Webmaster's
note:
Happy New Year! - 1/1/15 |
|
BACK
© 1997-2015 John Combs unless otherwise noted |