Rail access is a valuable asset to many businesses, so line side facilities are constantly evolving to meet new requirements. The 9,500 kilowatt Knik Arm power plant came on line in 1952, Chugach energized south central Alaska with power to spare. Chugach Electric Coop operated this Coal fired plant, with rail access at the edge of the Anchorage Yard until 1968. It was then converted to natural gas and operated until more efficient gas turbine generation was built away from the railroad. The building went into limbo for several years as a railroad lease property.

The Ship Creek Industrial Complex, one of the larger modernizations, just came on line. The Central Companies for the first time brings many of the subsidiary companies under one roof. “The Solutions Company” retrofit the building with major upgrades turning the former Turbine Room into bright sunny office space while retaining the heavy industrial heritage of the building.

Central Recycling Services occupies the East end and basement of the Turbine Room end of the building. The East side entrance has all the latest security features, cameras, intrusion detection and junk yard dogs. The scrap yard operation has moved from the Sitka Street site to a processing yard and transfer facility running parallel to Whitney Road. A full array of processing equipment is available to break down, separate and bail materials for efficient shipment. Three tracks of Rail access allows direct loading to and from gondolas with the option of transferring to shipping containers for back haul south. Both inbound and outbound scales allow for one way flow of trucks.

Alaska Industrial Paint is a long time tenant on the railroad, occupying the former car shed and hopper unloading portion along the North side of the building. East end rail access features the two tracks that originally provided warm thawing of coal hoppers when the plant burned coal between 1951 and 1968, Now they contain repair, sand blast and paint booths where most of the ARR fleet receive periodic updates. Currently in shop for major work is ARR coach #201. This project is not just paint deep as revealed after sand blasting. While setting on the West rail access sheet metal repairs are underway on the end of the car and the vestibule steps are getting a total rebuild.

So old is new again and two major customers have rail access at the Anchorage Yard.