75th Anniversary
Ceremony Program Schedule

• 9 a.m. - Train leaves Fairbanks
• 11:15 a.m. - Train arrives Nenana
• 11:30 - 1:15 p.m. Salmon Bake luncheon provided by City of Nenana
• 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Dedication Ceremony
• Master of Ceremony - Johne Binkley, ARRC Board Chairman
• Presentation of Colors
• National Anthem - Air Force Brass Band
• Introduction of Honored Guests
• Greetings from Nenana - Jack Coghill and Bob Knight
• Greetings from Bill Sheffield, President and CEO
• Dedication of Time Capsule (list of enclosed items)
• Reading of Plaque on the Monument
• Other unidentified speakers
• Speech from Federal Representative - Steve Dittemeyer, FRA
• Speech from Gov. Tony Knowles
• Redriving of the Golden Spike (Gov. Knowles, ARRC Employee, Walter Teeland)
• Closing words from Bill Sheffield inviting everyone to return for the opening of the time capsule in 2023 - the 100th anniversary
• Alaska State Flag Song - Air Force Brass Band
• 2:30 p.m. Trains leaves Nenana
• 4:15 p.m. Train arrives Fairbanks

75th anniversary at the Nenana Depot. VIP tent is at right.
 
 

Gold spike ceremony in Nenana. The people holding the mauls are Steve Love (blue hat), Gov. Tony Knowles (safety glasses),
Chairman of the ARRC Board Johne Binkley (white shirt) and Roadmaster Rick Leggett (white hard hat).
Also pictured is President and CEO Bill Sheffield (dark blue shirt, stepping over rail).
 
 

Plaque on Monument at Nenana.

July 15, 1998 letter from Gov. Bill Sheffield

Many thanks for joining us today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the completion of the Alaska Railroad. On behalf of the Board of Directors and our employees, I hope you will feel the same pride we have for this special and vital Alaska institution.

The Alaska Railroad is dedicated to service to Alaska communities and businesses. We do our best to run the safest, most efficient, customer-oriented railroad in North America. We're self-supporting through our revenues and we're always mindful that many of our customers are also part of the line.

It's an historic day, a great day for the Railroad and a great day for the State of Alaska. Thanks for joining us and thanks for your support.