The "Rambo Range" is no more.

After years of fires, the accumulation of battered appliances and other trash, state and federal authorities said Thursday they are shutting down the informal shooting area just south of Girdwood.

The ice-rink size clearing in the woods a few hundred feet off the Seward Highway near Mile 84 is like the Anchorage Bowl's version of Jim Creek, only smaller and minus the burned-up cars.

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Trespassing, trash and target practice. State and federal agencies are working to stop the problem in the Peterson Creek area just off Seward Highway near Girdwood.
 
For years, the two-acre site has been the scene of gunfire and massive littering. And repeated clean-up efforts by the forest service and citizens groups have failed to keep the area free of trash.
 
With the recent discovery of multiple bullet pock marks in the nearby tracks of the Alaska Railroad, the forest service has declared the Peterson Creek area off-limits to firearms. Citizens’ groups are backing the move.

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On 5 October, I will fly to Seattle to ride these railcars to their new home, Canon City.

Of note is that these domes were restored by Tom Rader's first railcar company in Tillamook. In the 1980s, they were owned by Mr. Rader and operated in Alaska under "Tour Alaska", which Princess bought out in (I believe) 1989.

See http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/domeservice.htm for complete information.
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Cindy Crowe, an Anchorage doctor, knitted her way to this year's Alaska State Fair. Julie Slagle played with her two sons, and Brian and Grace Murphy relaxed as much as they could while their 23-month-old daughter screamed with delight at the passing scenery.

While thousands drive to the fair each year, sometimes in grindingly slow bumper-to-bumper traffic, a small number shucked their cars in favor of a ride on the train.

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The Montana railcars continue to fill the gaps where the railroad is short on equipment. As most everyone knows a dining car was pressed into service at the beginning of the season. However, when an Alaska State Fair train's RDCs broke down (August 28th) and passenger had to be bussed, the railroad countered the next day with a locomotive and Montana coaches 120 and 121. Why the railroad has chosen to use these numbers instead of the 300 series numbers currently used for coaches is beyond just about everyone. The railroad seems to love them as they are considering negotiating their purchase and want two more sent up.

Activity on the railroad has picked up substantially and will continue to do so through next year. Princess has its own five car trains now (both north and southbound). More cruise ship companies are coming on board with the Alaska Railroad. Container traffic in Whittier has grown tremendously. Barges will have extensions added so they can handle more containerized freight. It will be interesting to see how the railroad handles the increased demands for power next year. Rumor has it that a locomotive purchase may occur in 2-3 years.

Passenger car work is also in high swing. The giant puffin decal was removed a while back from the formerly leased Kenai Fjords Tours dome coach #502. Former Florida Fun Train equipment is finally getting an Alaska Railroad makeover. Cafe diner #352 (former 50's diner) was mostly gutted and refinished. Number 351 (former Tiki railbar) will not be far behind. Dome numbers 551-554 will receive new carpet and wall coverings this winter. Finally, the two new Colorado Railcar Manufacturing GoldStar dining units due in 2006 were put on hold. More information to follow on this later.

Baggage car #110 was retired and it appears #111 is not far behind. The railroad is purchasing two "UP like" baggage cars (similar to 100-102) and will number them 103 and 104.

A large quantity of older locomotives were put on a track near the diesel shop. Seven of these units hopped a barge at the end of August. They are on their way to NRE in Chicago to be refurbished and should be leased out shortly after that.

The SD70MACs that were purchased in 2004 by the railroad came with more sophisticated electronics than their predecessors. There has been some growing pains in getting the older MACs to communicate with the new ones. Currently, it is somewhat uncommon to see 4000 and 4300 series locomotives mixed in the same train. A little while back the railroad hired a former EMD MAC whiz and he has been a blessing in dealing with all the idiosyncrasies of these complex pieces of equipment.
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State and local officials have signed an agreement to work with the Alaska Railroad Corp. to develop a plan to relieve traffic congestion caused by trains stopping in Wasilla.

The state Department of Transportation on July 27 signed a memorandum of agreement with the Alaska Railroad, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the city of Wasilla to develop a plan for a multi-modal transportation corridor in the borough.

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Shortly after 7 a.m. on a recent Sunday, Mathew Mund, 19, stood in the lobby of the Alaska Railroad depot in Fairbanks looking very much like a lighthouse among a torrent of tourists rushing about purchasing tickets and checking luggage for the southbound Denali Star.

Smartly turned out in a dark blue suit-vest with a gold pocket watch and chain, the Fairbanks native and summer tour guide for the railroad fielded questions from the curious and the confused as he checked boarding passes and helped passengers take the first step into the bygone era of train travel.

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The transportation bill that passed Congress last week includes some Anchorage items that are dust-sized compared to the big-name, big-buck projects. But even these small appropriations will change the landscape and express someone's vision of what Anchorage should become.

Item No. 1: $3 million toward a train station at Dimond Center that an owner of the shopping center requested for a future commuter rail system, should one be created.

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At its Board meeting in Seward last week, the Alaska Railroad Corporation Board of Directors recognized Seward resident Dale Lindsey's contributions to the Railroad and State of Alaska by naming the Railroad’s newly renovated Seward Passenger Dock the "Dale R. Lindsey Alaska Railroad Seward Dock."

Lindsey was born in the railroad town of Seward. A former Alaska Railroad train service employee during the period of Alaska Railroad federal ownership, he also served as a member of the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors for twelve years including presiding as Vice Chair of the Board for seven of those years. Lindsey retired from the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors in 2001.

The Lindsey family shares a rich history with the Alaska Railroad. His father and grandfather both worked on the Alaska Railroad and his brother Jack Lindsey was the Fairbanks Terminal Superintendent in the 1960s and 1970s.

"The Railroad wanted to recognize the lifelong contributions that Dale made to the Alaska Railroad," Chairman John Binkley said. "His impact has been felt not only in his hometown of Seward, but also throughout the State of Alaska. He is someone who never seeks the spotlight, but who has worked quietly behind the scenes to turn the Railroad's vision into reality."

Dale and Carol Ann Lindsey currently reside in Seward and own Harbor Enterprises, an oil resource company serving Alaska and Washington.
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The Alaska Railroad on Tuesday announced a plan to enlist the public to watch for suspicious activity along the railroad's 611 miles of track.

The Track Watch program also requires passengers aged 18 and older to show government-issued identification before boarding a train. Railroad employees and tour guides will also provide a safety briefing to passengers.

[See story]

The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), in cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration, is launching TrackWatch, a new public awareness and education campaign. The campaign targets passengers, employees and neighborhood residents to report any suspicious activity around the tracks and property of the Alaska Railroad.

In light of recent wor! ld events, the ARRC has heightened railroad awareness of employee and passenger safety. The TrackWatch program is patterned after the successful Neighborhood Watch program initiated in communities across the country.

We're asking passengers, employees, and residents near the track to be part of the eyes and ears of the railroad, said Pat Gamble, ARRC President and CEO. If they see or hear something suspicious or out of the ordinary that may be unsafe or dangerous, were saying please notify security or a uniformed crew member."

Residents who live near the tracks will soon receive a letter from Gamble outlining the TrackWatch program. A toll-free numbers has been set up to report activity to the Railroads police and security department. The letter includes a refrigerator magnet listing the toll-free number, 1-877-RAILCOP (724-5267).

During their safety briefing, Railroad tour guides are asking passengers to be on the lookout for suspicious activity as we! ll. In each railcar, the railroad provides a rack card with informatio n and instructions to passengers so they know what to do and whom to contact in the case of suspicious behavior or an emergency.

ARRC is a self-sustaining, state-owned Corporation that operates without state subsidy, serving a number of rail belt communities from Seward to Fairbanks.
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Fairbanks area businessmen Richard Schok and Bernie Karl expressed concern during a public meeting July 6 that a proposed 19-mile Alaska Railroad track realignment project could leave their industrial businesses without rail freight service.

"Are you saying that if we don't have enough use, we won't get served?" asked Schok, whose family owns and operates Flowline Alaska, a pipe insulating and coating business currently located on railroad land in the existing central Fairbanks industrial area.

[See story]

On Sunday, July 17th the Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad (FTVRR) celebrated the 100th anniversary of railroading in Fairbanks. Operating TVRR Engine #1 and issuing the Limited Edition Art Print by Randall Compton, "FIRST TRAIN TO FAIRBANKS" they commemorated the completion of the three foot narrow gauge line from Chena into Fairbanks on July 17th, 1905. Engine #1 at the age of 106 was in steam and the star of the show on both occasions.

The FTVRR Souvenir Shop has moved into Cabin #30, Pioneer Park, across from the Whiskey Island and Crooked Creek Railroad Station. Souvenirs and the Art Print "FIRST TRAIN TO FAIRBANKS" are now available. Remember, ALL revenue from sales, after the production expenses, goes towards the operation of Engine #1.

AND HERE IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU! If you ever wanted to own a piece of the TVRR....in addition to the spikes and rail segments already on sale you can now purchase a tie. The group needs to furnish 128 ties, plus rail and associated hardware, for the track to connect the new Museum to the rest of the Pioneer Park Track. YOU CAN HELP OUT BY BUYING A TIE! $41.00 each! Your name will be painted on the tie so you can show your friends, neighbors, family your very own part of the Railroad! Contact the FTVRR online.

The first steamup of 2005 was a very successful operation, thanks to the tireless efforts of a small army of volunteers led by Mark Cosson (Engine Operations) and Pat Shecter (Merchandise Sales). The locomotive has just undergone major work on the valve gear and performed admirably.

The FTVRR Crew included Mark Cosson, Dan Osborne, Charlie Winston, Andrew Debaun, Mary Debaun, Bill Shechter, Pat Shechter, Blair Reynolds, Steve Hormann, Pat Durand, Nancy Durand, Nicholas Deely, Bill Worthington, Randall Compton, Bo Hinckly, Kay Hinckly, Paul Bonnell, Bill Stringer, Dan Gullickson, and probably some other folks working the gift shop and fire watch out of sight.

Thanks again also to the folks constructing the new Engine House and Museum, Ghemm Company and Alaska DOT for making an extra effort which allowed operations on this special day.
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Friends of 13-year-old Austin Webb are grieving tonight. The Willow teenager was killed last night after he was struck by an Alaska Railroad passenger train. As friends lay flowers at Mile 187, near the area where the boy died, more is revealed about how it happened.

Alaska State Troopers are calling Webb’s death a tragic accident. And the Alaska Railroad says their hearts go out to the family and friends, the employees and the 271 passengers who were onboard the train at the time of the accident.

[See story]

A 13-year-old boy struck and killed by a passenger train bound for Anchorage from Fairbanks had been asleep on the tracks and did not respond when the engineer blew the train's horn twice, according to Alaska State Troopers.

"I don't know why he didn't respond," said Greg Wilkinson, trooper spokesman.

[See story]

Friends placed flowers near the tracks Saturday where a 13-year-old boy was killed when an Alaska Railroad train ran over him as he slept on the rails.

Austin Webb, who was sleeping on the tracks next to a teenage friend who escaped, was killed Friday night, said Alaska State Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson. Webb lived with his family in the town of Willow, about 50 miles north of Anchorage.

[See story]

A 13-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a locomotive Friday evening near Willow was asleep on the tracks when the train approached, Alaska State Troopers said Saturday.

It is not clear why Austin Webb chose to lie down on the tracks just south of the Willow Creek Bridge, trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said. The boy had been fishing Friday in the creek with a friend, 12-year-old Michael Walker, and could have just been tired, he said.

[See story]

Alaska State Troopers say a 13-year-old boy is dead after being run over by an Alaska Railroad passenger train traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage.
 
According to Alaska State Troopers spokesman Greg Wilkinson the young boy and a friend were playing on the Willow bridge as the train was heading toward them. One of the boys was able to get off the bridge, but the 13-year-old was not.

[See story]

A 13-year-old boy was struck and killed by an Alaska Railroad passenger train Friday night near Willow.

Austin Webb and another boy were playing on the Willow Creek Bridge when the southbound passenger train struck the boy. The accident happened at Mile 187.1 on the railroad in a wooded area near Willow.

[See story]

A 13-year-old boy was killed Friday night when an Alaska Railroad train ran over him.

Alaska State Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson identified the boy as Austin Webb. The teen lived with his family in the town of Willow, about 50 miles north of Anchorage.

[See story]

A 13-year-old Willow boy was killed Friday evening when a passenger train struck him just off the Willow Creek railroad bridge close to the Parks Highway, authorities said.

Alaska State Troopers identified the boy as Austin Webb.

A companion who had been with him, 12-year-old Michael Walker of Willow, was slightly injured and treated at the scene, said the injured boy's mother, Melody Walker.

[See story]

The host group of the city's ice carving competition reached a short-term lease agreement on Friday with Alaska Railroad, allowing the festival to be staged on railroad land through 2006.

"We offered to let Ice Alaska stay through the 2006 season, no holds barred," said Jim Kubitz, vice president of real estate and facilities for the railroad.

[See story]

At approximately 12:50 PM [7/8/05], two cars in an Alaska Railroad work train derailed at ARRC milepost 273 near Chulitna. The derailed cars stayed upright and no injuries or spills were reported. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the low-speed derailment.

Passengers aboard the north and south bound trains between Anchorage and Fairbanks trains will be bussed to their final destination. Passengers aboard the northbound train will board busses in Talkeetna and continue north to Denali and Fairbanks. Passengers aboard the southbound train will board busses in Hurricane and continue south Talkeetna and Anchorage.

Initial reports from the site indicate that Alaska Railroad crews will have the cars rerailed and the mainline open sometime this evening. Full service is expected to resume at that time. Passengers needing information regarding train schedules should contact the Alaska Railroad reservation number at (907) 265-2494.
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The ARRC has a new bid listed on their website:

Painting & Repairs: A total of seven (7) locomotives are to be repaired and painted

Locomotive Lease: It is the intent of ARRC to have the contractor lease five (5) units, ( three GP40-2s and two GP49s) for a minimum of fifteen (15) months through March 31, 2007. Units may be made available for purchase or additional lease at the end of the lease term.

The locomotives shall be delivered to the contractor’s repair facility at ARRC’s expense and the two units to be returned to ARRC after repair shall be returned at ARRC’s expense.

Locomotive 2001 EMD GP38-2
Locomotive 2006 EMD GP38-2
Locomotive 2801 EMD GP49
Locomotive 2804 EMD GP49
Locomotive 3002 EMD GP40-2
Locomotive 3004 EMD GP40-2
Locomotive 3005 EMD GP40-2

ARRC wishes to have Locomotives 2001 and 2006 ready for delivery no later than December 31, 2005.
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The railroad depot at the airport is a bit like those destination-nowhere construction projects we Alaskans excel at conceiving and sometimes even building -- a bridge to nowhere, a road to nowhere, a tunnel to nowhere.

This is a depot for no one, or at least for only a few of us. A sleek addition that opened two years ago, it was built by the people ($28 million in federal tax dollars) but not for the people, except those who are cruise-ship passengers. The only way an Alaskan, or anyone else, can ride the rails that link the airport in Anchorage with the docks in Seward is to buy a rail/cruise travel package.

[See story]

Alaskans know how to run a railroad and their success could serve as a model in the drive to reform Amtrak and save inter-city passenger rail, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said Tuesday during a visit to an Alaska Railroad terminal in Anchorage.

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A passenger train was evacuated outside of Denali National Park yesterday after smoke was seen coming out of a rear car.

[See story]
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