John's Alaska Railroad Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Ken Parys
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
John,
Thanks so much for hosting my father's photo collection from WW2 on your website. He was one of many stationed in Whittier Alaska, in practical total isolation, and charged with moving necessary military material from ships to the rail system. Few people have ever heard of Whittier or its role in the War and your site has helped to spread this information to many.
Regards, Ken

Added: September 22, 2017

Submitted by
Name: Forrest R Prince
From: Quincy, CA and Reno, NV
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hello, all ARR railfans! I have a special connection to the ARR, as one of John Combs's very special friends from Alaska, Donald C. Prince (featured on this website), was my uncle.

Although I was often together with Uncle Don, it was only one single time I was able to visit him in Alaska, back in 2002. A fantastic trip, to say the very least.

Added: April 16, 2017

Submitted by
Name: Charles Greenawalt
From: Pennsylvania
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Been a long time since I checked in with you. I got distracted for too many years, but I have restarted building my O-scale railroad. I've completed 15% of the benchwork. Your site is a great source of information about ARR. Thank you!

Added: March 15, 2017

Submitted by
Name: Tom H
From: South Dakota

Comments:
Excellent website. I visited Alaska in 92, rode the entire Railroad. I hope to one day get back up there and ride the rails. I'm getting back into model railroading and you have some great info.

Added: March 2, 2017

Submitted by
Name: Joe M.
From: Rhode Island
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
What a great website! I cannot believe the amount of information you have on your website. I plan on modeling portions of the Alaska Railroad in N scale. Thank you so much for sharing your obsession with us!

Added: December 26, 2016

Submitted by
Name: Ken Speranza
From: Florida
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Awesome website! I am building the line from Seward to Anchorage in Trainz 12, your yard diagrams have been ESPECIALLY helpful! Thanks John!
-Ken

Added: November 23, 2016

Submitted by
Name: Chris McDevitt
From: Fairbanks
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hey John-

I just wanted to let you know that I've gotten more info off of your site then through the AK state archives and the AK railroad itself. I'm doing some research for work, and your site has been invaluable.

Thanks,
Chris

Added: October 13, 2016

Submitted by
Name: Dave Mac
From: England
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Great Site Dude. I use it for a reference on Railworks Reskins.

Many Thanks for your help and time. Keep up the great work

Added: June 25, 2016

Submitted by
Name: CDR Daniel A. Napoliello
From: Peoria, AZ
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
John, It has been a while and I see a great deal of progress and useful information. I have some information about the ARR "Clinic Car" including a B&W of one of 3 in AuRoRa colors.(1947-1953). Not in the Prince 2 Vol work. Only reference I found was in an Alaska Nurses Assn 1967 pamphlet.
The 2 FP-7's on Verde Canyon RR have replacement nose doors with 2nd headlight. Winterization hatches had to be removed at Skull Valley, as they would have been ripped off. The 2 Verde Canyon troop kitchen were BN/CB&Q. The UP 4800 diner at the AZRR Museum in Chandler, arrived in full ARR colors with simple strikeout and former owner reporting marks. ARR 87-88-89 retained the litter loading doors unlike the other conversions.
Retired from the Corps in 1994, and as a Senior Healthcare Internal Auditor 3 years ago. Have 2 grandchildren in Akron. Dan

Added: April 16, 2016

Submitted by
Name: Ben
From: North Carolina
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Great site! I love the extensive historical coverage and the interviews and stories from retired railroaders.

Added: February 19, 2016