2005 News Archive
(April - June)
 
Locomotive #1 is beginning to shine - 6/27/05
Submitted by Pat Durand

The MATI Rail Crew has been working on the railroad! The Alaska Railroad Corp. accepted a proposal from the crew to clean and make repairs to the Davenport Locomotive on display in front of the Anchorage Depot. Locomotive #1 is beginning to shine.

The MATI Rail Crew are all volunteer members of the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, Inc. Richard and Gail Clinch, Ed Kovich and Pat Durand have taken on this project as an expression of thanks to The Alaska Railroad Corp, for the support the Railroad employees and staff have always extended to MATI. A new front pilot beam, replacement cab awnings, and paint details will finish the job over the next week.
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Freight train derails near Nenana - 6/17/05
KTUU
by Gina Anderson

Another problem for the railroad -- a freight train derailed Friday night 30 miles south of Nenana.
 
There are no reports of injuries, and all the railcars are still upright.

[See story]

Crews clear out railroad tunnel; traffic resumes - 6/10/05
Anchorage Daily News
By JOEL GAY

Alaska Railroad traffic between Anchorage and Fairbanks resumed Thursday afternoon after a three-day closure that forced passengers into tour buses and stopped the flow of freight and fuel.

Crews worked around the clock since early Tuesday to remove tons of fallen rock and dirt from Moody Tunnel north of Denali National Park and shore up its interior. The first freight train went through around 4 p.m. Thursday, railroad spokesman Tim Thompson said. Passenger trains were to begin using the tunnel again today, he said.

[See story]

Moody Tunnel clear for travel - 6/9/05
KTUU
by Aniela Whah-Wills

Moody Tunnel is open tonight after a rockslide left the tracks impassable for the last two days.

[See story]

ARR passes the 49 MPH limit - 6/9/05
Submitted by Robert Krol
The ARR passes the 49 MPH limit.

From Timetable 131 General Order 49

GENERAL ORDER NO. 49
(Effective 08:00, Thursday, June 9, 2005

MP119.80 and MP128.00 .............................. 60 60
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Tunnel trouble throws tourism off-track - 6/9/05
KTUU
by Lynn Melling

Alaska’s summer tourism season is off to a busy start. Experts predict an 8 percent increase in visitors over last summer. But damage to a railroad tunnel near Healy is throwing a temporary wrench into statewide operations.

[See story]

Railroad worker recovering from work-related injuries - 6/8/05
KTUU
by Lynn Melling

An Alaska Railroad worker is recovering tonight after being hit with falling debris in Moody Tunnel near Healy.

[See story]

Alaska Railroad employee injured by falling debris - 6/8/05
Kenai Peninsula Online
The Associated Press

A supervisor for the Alaska Railroad was injured Wednesday after being struck by falling debris during work to repair the Moody Tunnel near Healy.

The supervisor, whose identity was being withheld until his family could be notified, sustained head and shoulder injuries. His injuries are not believed to be serious, said railroad spokesman Tim Thompson.

[See story]

Rock slide blocks tracks near Denali - 6/8/05
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By R.A. DILLON

A rock slide Tuesday morning in a railroad tunnel near Denali National Park and Preserve forced the Alaska Railroad to close the tracks while crews worked to clear debris.

The slide happened in Moody Tunnel at 353.6 Mile in Healy Canyon, between Denali Park and Healy, while maintenance workers were attempting to repair damage caused earlier in the week.

[See story]

Tunnel failure an inconvenience for railroad - 6/8/05
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By KRIS CAPPS

The Alaska Railroad is using a little ingenuity to hold things together while it works on repairing the Moody Tunnel, just north of the high bridge over the Nenana River. That orange color you may spot as you drive over the bridge is spray foam and it actually binds the rock together to prevent it from falling further.

That sounded unusual to me, but Terry Hinman, the railroad's local maintenance of way director says it is not a unique idea and has been used before. It should help make it safer for workers who will now take steel supports into the tunnel and replace the wooden supports.

[See story]

Rock slide in tunnel closes Alaska Railroad - 6/8/05
Kenai Peninsula Online
DAN JOLING, Associated Press Writer

A rock slide that fell as an Alaska Railroad crew repaired the ceiling of a tunnel Tuesday closed rail lines north of Denali National Park.

About 150 cubic yards of rock and soil poured into the Moody Tunnel at about 8 a.m., said railroad spokeswoman Wendy Lindskoog.

[See story]

Rockfall near Denali upsets rail travel - 6/8/05
Anchorage Daily News
By JOEL GAY

A tall piece of equipment rammed the ceiling of a railroad tunnel near Denali National Park last weekend, setting the stage for a rock slide Tuesday morning that disrupted train service between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

No one was injured when an estimated 150 cubic yards -- 15 dump trucks' worth -- of rock and dirt cascaded onto the tracks inside Moody Tunnel about five miles north of the park, said Wendy Lindskoog, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Railroad.

[See story]

Moody Tunnel collapse - 6/7/05
Submitted by an anonymous source

It has been reported by a railfan that Moody Tunnel between Denali Park and Healy, on the mainline between Fairbanks and Denali Park has collapsed. No further details yet.
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Addition from Robert Krol, "Channel 2 News is reporting the ARR 's Moody Tunnel has had a rock slide and the mainline is closed."
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Also see the ARRC's posted press release.
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A big week for Alaska Railroad - 6/1/05
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By KRIS CAPPS

Alaska Railroad tunnels along the Nenana River Canyon will soon become a distant memory. They are being phased out for safety reasons.

As of this week, trains no longer run through Garner Tunnel, at Mile 356.2. Instead, the tracks now run a little closer to the river, outside the tunnel.

[See story]

Alaska Railroad is there to help - 6/1/05
Submitted by an anonymous source

On Saturday [May 28] two people living in a cabin near milepost 270 felt very sick after eating what they believed were edible plants. They were able to contact the police who in turn contacted the railroad. A southbound train picked up two nurses and the dispatcher contacted the poison control center for further instructions. The sick people were reached and treated. The railroad then transported them to the depot where an ambulance took them to the hospital. The Alaska Railroad is always ready to help!

Additional information from Tim Thompson, ARRC Public Affairs: Palmer Police contacted Dispatcher Office because there was a 40 year old man and his nine year old son at a remote cabin needed emergency assistance. They had cooked and eaten a wild plant and were feeling poisoned. Dispatcher contacted Poison Control and had them fax supportive care instructions to the Talkeetna Depot for the emergency personnel. The med kit on the train was opened so the people could receive active charcoal solution. An ambulance met the passengers at the depot and transported the individuals to the hospital.
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Alaska Railroad awarded $24.8 million to upgrade tracks - 5/30/05
KTUU.com
by Chris Joy

The Alaska Railroad is in line to get a grant worth nearly $25 million from the federal government.

[See story]

Canyon upgrade - 5/26/05
Submitted by an anonymous source
The railroad continues to upgrade/realign Canyon so as to obtain higher travel speeds. This section of the railroad is one of the biggest bottlenecks on the line. The board recently voted to add extra dollars to this project. In the area of Garner, the track was routed around Garner Tunnel. Eventually they will destroy the north portal.
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Alaska Railroad Holds Dedication and Open House at New Depot - 5/25/05
ARRC Press Release

The public is invited to a Dedication Ceremony and Open House at the Alaska Railroad Corporation’s new Fairbanks Depot (1745 Johansen Expressway) on May 26, from 4 PM to 7 PM. The public will be able to tour the new facilities and also a static display of the Railroad’s new bi-level dome cars offering, “GoldStar,” service.

The new Fairbanks Intermodal Facility and Depot is a $23.7 million state-of-the-art facility that will improve passenger service and safety. The terminal is equipped with modern baggage handling and passenger staging. Drop off areas as well as ample parking are designed to better accommodate visiting and residential passengers. Covering 32-acres of land, the terminal location and track configuration can support three times the current number of trains to meet projected passenger growth over the next 30 years.

The Railroad will also offer the public a sneak peak at the latest in luxury rail passenger cars. The Alaska Railroad took delivery on two new, custom-designed railcars this May, adding to its existing fleet the option for passengers to upgrade to first class – or “GoldStar Service” – beginning late May. The cars were built by Colorado Railcar at a cost of 3.4 million dollars each.

The service will be available between Fairbanks and Anchorage on the Denali Star Train. Passengers who upgrade to first class will have a reserved seat in the glass-domed upper level of the new cars, a private outdoor viewing platform exclusively for GoldStar guests, complimentary appetizers and a full-time car attendant in the car.

The ARRC is a self-sustaining, state-owned corporation that operates without state subsidy, and provides year round passenger and freight service to a number of rail belt communities from Fairbanks to Seward.
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New Alaska Railroad cars offer travel in style - 5/23/05
Alaska Journal of Commerce
By Melissa Campbell

Visitors taking the railroad to Denali National Park and Preserve will now have the option of traveling in style.

Alaska Railroad Corp. earlier this month unveiled two new custom-designed luxury passenger cars that will be used on its Denali Star Train, which runs daily from Anchorage to Denali and Fairbanks, beginning this summer.

[See story]

Montana car status - 5/18/05
By John Taubeneck via John Henderson
At 11 this morning [May 17] the Southeast Provider was getting ready to load at Harbor Island. The four Montana cars were ready to go on. The BNSF was pushing two of the McKinley Express cars onto the Island at the time. The Southeast Provider dose not have the racks for containers over the rail car deck. The Anchorage Provider is up the river loading containers.
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Cruise ships bring rush of people, money into Whittier - 5/12/05
KTUU.com
by Sean Doogan

Also a boost to the town of Whittier, the Alaska Railroad line now goes all the way through the tunnel, linking Whittier to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, making transfers for the big boats much simpler. That train service started today.

[See story]

Passenger car delivery status - 5/15/05
by Dave
Saw HALX 1058 KASHWITNA and HALX 1059 TEKLANIKA this morning May14, on the rear of a Laurel-Pasco train crossing MRL.

And MRRT has sent four cars this trip. RQAX 9407-8750-4001-4013 passed Wishram this morning enroute Seattle (and Alaska).

Also, in the near future, RQAX 104-4700-4734-1711 for movement to Portland. Not sure what these cars will be used for, but the NRHS convention is in Portland this summer.
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View just got better on the Alaska Railroad - 5/12/05
KTUU.com
by Jeffrey Hope

A big investment at the Alaska Railroad Corp. is proving to be popular before anyone has even seen it. The railroad just purchased two bi-level dome cars. Although the ARRC has hauled dome cars for the cruise ship industry for years, the railroad has never owned a dome car.

The two new cars mark a first for the railroad industry.

[See story]

Rail link to Yukon finds friends, foes - 5/10/05
Anchorage Daily News
By JEREMY HAINSWORTH

A rail link between Alaska and Canada, proposed as a faster way to transport natural resources, would also enable the United States to support anti-ballistic missile silos and military bases, a new study says.

While supporters are playing up the economic advantages, and the Alaska and Yukon governments have signed an agreement to study the idea, critics say the military uses are likely to stir opposition in Canada, where the continental missile shield project is unpopular.

[See story]

Rising coal prices fuel Sutton re-mining project - 5/9/05
Anchorage Daily News
By RINDI WHITE

Crunching through slushy snow breaking down in the 60-degree spring sunshine, Bruce Buzby of the state Department of Natural Resources explained how Idaho company Knoll Acres plans to "re-mine" the waste left behind at the Jonesville Mine by previous coal companies.

[See story]

Holland America cars leaving Fort Lupton, CO for AK - 5/9/05
By Dave Franz via John Henderson

Holland America Tours, HALX reporting marks, 1058 & 1059, departed Fort Lupton, CO, from builder Colorado Railcar, LLC, 5-7-2005. The new ultradomes are headed via UP to Denver. Watch for them at Denver Union Station before going to BNSF. Car names are HALX 1058 KASHWITNA and HALX 1059 TEKLANIKA. You'll be able to ride them on the Alaska Railroad this summer.

The first two MRRT cars were traveling the long way around through Wishram. Should be Seattle way today (Sun).
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Dome car status - 5/7/05
By Dave Franz via John Henderson
"First group of three moves from Kootenai today (May06) on the M LAUPAS 05 figured on duty in Missoula 1830. The message shows RQAX 9410 and 3109 (dome coach and lunch counter diner) this trip. How they move them on the barge, I don't know, but it will be three groups of two for a total of six cars. Next week the second dome and diner (RQAX 9407 & 8750), and third week two ADA flat-top coaches. All cars are still in Montana Rockies Rail Tours stainless/yellow/blue. I think lettering has been removed."
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ARRC to lease domes - 5/4/05
Submitted by Pat Flynn
My understanding is that ARRC is leasing two Amtrak domes (similar to our 521, 522 & 523), two diner/lounge cars and one 60+ seat coach. One dome and one diner are slated for service on the Glaicer Discovery with the rest for use as needed. They'll arrive once our folks in Seattle can get hold of them for the barge - meaning their earliest possible arrival date is May 11, but probably later.
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Denali (ARR #1) status - 5/4/05
By Dave Franz via John Henderson
ARR 1 which is destined to Colorado Railcar Manufacturer of Ft. Lupton, CO. It arrived Seattle on 4-14, departed Interbay on M-INBPAS3-24 on 4-24 and went via Wishram, dept. Pasco on M-PASLAU1-30 on 4-30, and got switched to the ML in HY."
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Alaska and Canada team for railroad study - 5/3/05
Alaska Journal of Commerce
By Timothy Inklebarger, Associated Press Writer

The governments of Alaska and Yukon Territory said April 25 they will jointly study the economic and social benefits of a proposed railroad to run through Alaska and Canada.

Gov. Frank Murkowski and Yukon Territory Premier Dennis Fentie signed a memorandum of understanding establishing their intent to start the roughly yearlong study, which is expected to begin in May.

[See story]

Frank Turpin, railroad, oil leader, dies - 5/1/05
Anchorage Daily News
By WESLEY LOY

Frank Turpin, a career oil man who went on to head the Alaska Railroad and serve as state transportation commissioner, died Thursday in Texas after a stroke. He was 82.
Turpin worked 37 years for oil giant Exxon Mobil, starting in 1947.

He finished his oil career as president of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., an Anchorage consortium of oil companies including Exxon that own the 800-mile trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Exxon loaned out Turpin for that job in summer 1978, about a year after North Slope crude oil started moving down the line, and he worked to ramp up the flow rate toward a peak of more than 2 million barrels a day.

[See story]

ARR 651-652 deliveries - 4/27/05
Submitted by Jody Moore
I got a call from onboard the 651 today as it made its way to Anchorage. The barge arrived last night, and the cars were unloaded this morning.
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More ARR domes from CRM - 4/27/05
Submitted by an anonymous source
I don't know if you're aware, but Colorado Railcar (CRM) is supposed to build two bi-level and two single level domes for ARR within the next year. I've heard that materials haven't arrived yet, but drawings are progressing.
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Princess car usage - 4/27/05
Submitted by Robert Krol
I heard the Princess Denali train will use MSE coaches and the Princess Talkeetna train will use the regular ARR Cruise Train cars. Three weeks to until the first ship arrives.
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UP baggage cars to get ARR colors - 4/26/05
Submitted by an anonymous source
Two ex-Union Pacific baggage cars are heading towards Colorado Railcar. Word is Colorado Railcar will convert them into generator cars for the Alaska Railroad. When I get UP railcar numbers, I'll send them your way.
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Alaska and Canada to join in railroad study - 4/26/05
Kenai Peninsula Online
By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER

The governments of Alaska and Yukon Territory said Monday they will jointly study the economic and social benefits of a proposed railroad to run through Alaska and Canada.

Gov. Frank Murkowski and Yukon Territory Premier Dennis Fentie signed a memorandum of understanding establishing their intent to start the roughly yearlong study, which is expected to begin in May.

[See story]

King Salmon Derby cancelled - 4/24/05
KTUU.com
by Lynn Melling

If you have your sights set on a prize salmon in Ship Creek this summer, the only prize you’ll get is the fish. The King Salmon Derby has been cancelled.
 
The Alaska Railroad, which owns the land along Ship Creek, says no sponsors came forward with a plan. Officials believe the derby will return next year. In the meantime, anglers can still fish along the banks.

[See story]

ARR 651-652 deliveries - 4/22/05
Submitted by Jody Moore

651 and 652 left Ft. Lupton on Wednesday, April 13, a day behind schedule due to the heavy snows a few days prior that delayed the UP switch. By the time they left the plant, there was hardly a trace of snow to be found, and the idea of being a day behind because of it was somewhat laughable.

They left Denver the next day, arriving in Laurel, MT the following night. By Monday, they were in Vancouver, and arrived in Seattle on Tuesday morning for a rather arduous sit at the Rabanco garbage loading facility before being moved to Stacy Street yard and Harbor Island. They were loaded on the barge Fairbanks Provider a little after noon, and should be sailing home right now.

The cars are beautiful inside, and I will be sure to get some photos to you. The upstairs doors are presently blocked off with plywood and other materials to prevent seawater entry. Given the recent clobbering that I heard a cruise ship took under 70 foot waves, that sounds like a pretty good idea.

Click here for photos of loading numbers 651 and 652.
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Ex-Gen. Ralston named to railroad's board - 4/22/05
Anchorage Daily News
By LARRY PERSILY

Adding to the list of retired generals helping manage state operations, Gov. Frank Murkowski has named retired Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston to the Alaska Railroad Corp. board of directors.

He joins retired Air Force Gen. Patrick Gamble, who was named president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Railroad in 2001, and retired Army Major Gen. Mark Hamilton, who was hired as president of the University of Alaska in 1998 after 31 years in the military.

[See story]

DPU on gravel trains - 4/19/05
Submitted by Andy Tejral
I, too, noticed the gravel train today. But, since I travel nowhere without my scanner, I know that the train was DPU powered. 4007 was on one end and 4003 was on the other. They arrived at QAP at around 3pm and were done around 7pm. I'm guessing that they're starting to haul gravel for the C street extension to O' Malley.
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Bi-level passenger cars, 651 and 652 status - 4/19/05
Submitted by Robert Krol
From a thread on www.trainorders.com - the two new Alaska Railroad bi-level passenger cars, 651 and 652, reached the Pacific Northwest. Reported to be in Seattle now [Tuesday] and to go north on the barge tomorrow.
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Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off train depot construction - 4/19/05
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By DIANA CAMPBELL

Ghemm Company president Bert Bell's first job after high school was to ride the Pioneer Park train while playing the part of an inept deputy who fails to stop a staged train robbery.

Now, several decades later, his construction company is building a $1.6 million depot for that train.

[See story]

Railroad's tough ties save trees - 4/19/05
Anchorage Daily News
The Associated Press

An innovation used on railroads across the country has finally reached the northernmost end of the Alaska line.

The Alaska Railroad is laying track to a new Fairbanks depot using concrete ties.

"They work just like a wood tie, but there have been some studies that show they have a longer life, are more durable, and also when that life is over, they're easier to dispose of, said Mark Peterburs, railroad director of project management. "There is no creosote, so they can be crushed and recycled."

[See story]

First gravel train of the season - 4/19/05
Submitted by Matt Leistico
Out walking the Dogs yesterday afternoon and saw the first gravel train of the season unloading over 76th. Was lead by a single unit #4007 - and was unloading at the place off C street - forgot the name - got a picture, but its stuck on the camera till I can download it.
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Alaska Railroad has a new operation center - 4/19/05
Anchorage Daily News

The opening of the Alaska Railroad operation center, a 23,000-square-foot, $9.4 million building, was on Saturday in Anchorage.

The new building will be the nerve center for the railroad, bringing together the 200 employees in dispatch, environment, health and safety, transportation, and operation under one roof.

[See story]

Ties with a twist: Track underpinnings made of concrete - 4/18/05
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By KELLY BOSTIAN

Technology used on railroads across the country for the past couple of decades finally has come to the northernmost end of the line.

The Alaska Railroad is laying a new loop of track in conjunction with the depot construction project. From a distance looking like picket fences lying on their sides and snaking through the industrial area between Phillips Field Road and the Johansen Expressway, the shiny ties are strikingly different from their wooden, creosote-laden counterparts. The new ties are made of concrete.

[See story]

Railroad opens new operations center - 4/17/05
KTUU.com
By Joy Mapaye

The Alaska Railroad says the future is looking bright. The company reported record profits in 2004. Today, the railroad celebrated the opening of its new operations center.

The railroad hopes it will be a center that improves safety and efficiency on the rails.

[See story]

Princess and Denali railcars - 4/16/05
Submitted by John Henderson

John Taubeneck reports the two Princes Line cars were loaded on the barge "Whittier Provider" this morning (April 15).

John also reports that ARR # 1 "Denali" was sitting in the barge slip yard on Harbor Island with two cars of scrap. The "Denali" apparently came off the barge on Wednesday. Does anyone know where the "Denali" is headed?
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ARR 651-652 deliveries - 4/6/05
Submitted by Jody Moore
Just got word today that the Alaska RR 651-652 will be picked up at Ft. Lupton next Tuesday, the 12th, and depart Denver on BNSF on the 13th.
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Push revived for Canadian rail connection - 4/6/05
Alaska Journal of Commerce
By Tim Bradner

Alaska and Yukon Territory officials are coordinating efforts to keep pressure on their respective federal governments to conduct a feasibility study of an Alaska-Canada rail link.

Meanwhile, the state-owned Alaska Railroad Corp. is in the middle of a $14 million environmental and engineering study of a possible 80-mile extension of the railroad from North Pole, near Fairbanks, to Delta Junction. The extension would support military training in the area and missile defense facilities at Fort Greely, near Delta Junction. The 80-mile extension would be paid for by the Department of Defense, if the plan is approved.

[See story]

Alaska Railroad reports record profits - 4/3/05
Kenai Peninsula Online
The Associated Press

The Alaska Railroad had a record year in 2004, reporting $15.4 million in profits on total revenue of $129.5 million.

In 2003, the state-owned railroad reported $14.5 million in profits and $128.7 million in revenue.

Revenue from shipping freight, the railroad's core business, was up 1.5 percent from the prior year, totaling $86.5 million, according to the railroad's annual financial report. At the same time, passenger revenue rose 19 percent to $16.9 million.

[See story]

Princess Cruise Line ultradomes - 4/3/05
Submitted by John Henderson

Dave Franz sends the following:

Two more Princess Cruise Line ultradomes refurbished by Colorado Railcar, Ltd, Fort Lupton, CO, were moved to Denver Union Station, Denver, CO, on April 1, 2005 (no joke, this happened). MSEX 7080 and 7081 were moved by UP to the station. BNSF was going to pick them up that evening. They should move north on BNSF's Denver to Laurel, MT, train. They're headed for Seattle, WA. They will be shown to invited guests (travel agents?) at Seattle on April 11, 2005.

MSEX 7080 has two spiral stairs up to the dome. There's also a handicap wheelchair lift inside the car. What a great way to see Alaska!
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New ARR passenger cars status - 4/2/05
Submitted by an anonymous source
[An ARR employee] is leading a team to do acceptance testing on the two cars at Colorado Railcar starting Monday and continuing all week. Estimated ship date from Ft. Lupton, Colorado is 12 April. They are going to Seattle to meet the barge.
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Alaska Railroad Release 2004 Annual Report: Record Earnings top $ 15 million - 4/2/05
Submitted by Tim Thompson, ARR Public Affairs Officer

I have included the release in the body of the e-mail and as an attachment. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Tim T.

Alaska Railroad Release 2004 Annual Report: Record Earnings top $ 15 million
Contact: John Binkley, ARRC Chairman 907-479-6673 or 907-322-2390
Tim Thompson, Public Affairs Officer 907-265-2695

April 1, 2005

For Immediate Release
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) released its 2004 Annual Report today posting record level earnings of $15.4 million on total revenues of $129.5 million.

"The Alaska Railroad had a great year in 2004," Chairman John Binkley said. "We topped our 2003 record level earnings, and we did it by increasing our revenue and keeping our expenses under control. With the extension of track into new territory, we're ready to take advantage of emerging opportunities. Alaskans should be proud of the performance of their Railroad."

The report also highlights some of the pioneering technologies and safety advances made at the Alaska Railroad. These advances have resulted in nearly equaling last year's best ever safety record set in 2003. 2004 saw the frequency of reportable injuries decrease and train accident rates substantially lower than the national average.

"The Alaska Railroad is working to become a world-class, cutting-edge 21st century rail transportation system," Pat Gamble, ARRC President and CEO said. "We are designing a railroad that can step up to tomorrow's challenges. Each of our employees is dedicating his and her professional skills to that proposition."

The Alaska Railroad Corporation is a self-sustaining, state-owned corporation that operates without state subsidy. The Railroad generates revenue through year-round passenger and freight service to a number of communities from Seward to Fairbanks and through its management of Real Estate holdings along the railbelt.

An electronic copy of the annual report is available on the ARRC web site at:

www.AlaskaRailroad.com/corporate/annual_reports.html
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Record year on the rails for Alaska’s trains - 4/2/05
KTUU.com
By Jeffrey Hope

A new report broke records for the Alaska Railroad. The 2004 annual report released Friday shows record earnings for the second year in a row.

Last year, the railroad reports, it took in $129.5 million, creating a profit of $15.4 million.

[See story]

April Fool's spoof delights railfans - 4/1/05
Submitted by an anonymous source

On April 1 the Webmaster of John's Alaska Railroad Web Page turned its main page into an April Fool's spoof. Articles such as "Steam returning to Alaska Rails?" (contributed by Pat Durand), "XMG to create full line of HO scale ARR railcars and locos" (contributed by John Combs), "Names for the eight new SD70MACs announced" (contributed by Randy Thompson), "ARRC holding discussions with Amtrak"(contributed by Frank Dewey), and "Another Railroad in the Sky?" (contributed by Pat Durand) teased as well as delighted Internet visitors. A photo suggested the ARRC would soon lay rails in Hawaii and hot links sent visitors to various Internet sites such as tornado chasing, optical illusions and a cheerleader toss.

When asked about the hoax, Webmaster John Combs replied, "My wife and I have played April Fool's jokes for years. It is in our blood." John then related a tale about the time his wife Terry pulled the wool over his mother's eyes. " We had only been married for about nine months, were in the middle of our college years and tight financially. Terry walked up to my mother and told her she was pregnant. My mother went into a panicked, frenzied state. 'Terry! What are you going to do about school? How can you afford to have this baby?' Terry and I were rolling on the floor laughing."

John admits that sometimes jokes backfire. "On April 1, 2000 I posted a news item saying I was shutting down my Alaska Railroad website due to other time commitments. I then thanked everyone who had helped to make the effort a success. At the bottom of the article I admitted it was an April Fool's joke. A lot of people didn't bother reading to the end. One railfan told me he even clutched his chest when he saw the first few lines."

To make matters worse, several weeks later his Internet Service Provider, who had just been purchased by another company, forced him to use their new web address. The link that Alaska Railroad railfans had used for the past three years was gone. "So now I've jokingly told people that I am giving up the website and then the actual link disappears. A number of people thought I was gone for good. Every year since I have had railfans contact me and express surprise that I finally got back online. It is exactly like the movie, "Escape from New York" where people continually walk up to Curt Russell's character and say, "Snake Plissken! I thought you were dead!"

John does provide some good advice to practical jokers. "Don't get too carried away. A joke can go too far. One time an aquaintance disguised his voice, called me up on the phone and told me he was a state trooper. He said he regretted to inform me that the basement wall in my home had collapsed thus crushing and killing my wife. I just about passed out! Then he started laughing and I recognized his laugh. So I asked him if I could sign his body cast. 'What body cast?', he says."


 
 

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Page created 4/1/05 and last updated 7/1/05