After 34 years with the Alaska Railroad extra-gang foreman Rich "Hozer" Holzapfel has retired. Rich began his career as a laborer on Extra Gang #4 working out of outfit cars at Lignite Siding.

Rich began sending Maintenance of Way (MOW) photos to my website in 1998 and has been a loyal contributor ever since. I first met Rich in 2000 as he was finishing up on a work train for the day. He proclaimed, "Quitting time! It is now 0 beer 30." In later years I was given the privilege of accompanying him on the snow fleet as well as other work trains. It was these opportunities that showed me the hard work and pride that MOW crews put into their job.

Rich, thanks for your contributions to this website and best wishes in your future endeavors!

This August 2004 photo is of a northbound work train at Brookman going to pickup used ties.