We Alaskans are blessed with so many winter trails it boggles the minds of those who live in the Lower 48 among barbed wire fences and private parcels as far as the eye can see.

Yet there is one “trail” around here that sees a little too much traffic.

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The city of Fairbanks is taking neighborhood input as it prepares to sever a pair of streets from a larger road in northeast Fairbanks.

The upcoming change results from a complicated deal between the city, the Alaska Railroad Corp. — which has tracks running through the area — and other government entities.

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State environmental regulators this week rejected the Alaska Railroad Corp.'s controversial proposal to spray herbicides on about 500 miles of track and 100 miles of rail yard in Alaska.

It was a blow to the railroad but good news to people like Tom Kluberton, who lives 200 feet from the track.

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CBS 11 News went on a trip on the Great Alaska Ski Train and we've got to tell you, it's a wild ride.

" I think the ski train is a great thing. And it's very uniquely Alaskan," said skier, Jennifer Klugh.

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The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has rejected the Alaska Railroad Corp.'s controversial proposal to spray herbicides on about 500 miles of track and 100 miles of rail yard in Alaska.

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- From Alaska fishing holes to Harry Potter's Hogwarts School, there's something for everyone at the Fur Rondy model railroad exhibit.

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The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly, in an attempt to force Alaska Railroad Corp. officials to refocus efforts on realigning train track in the Fairbanks area, formally opposed an Alaska Railroad Corp. project planned for Fort Wainwright Army Post.

The assembly passed a resolution Thursday opposing the Fort Wainwright project — which would reroute train traffic on the post — until the larger realignment plan receives more attention.

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Early estimates indicate that a rail link between Alaska and Canada would be economical and self-supporting, largely due to the vast mineral resources believed to be in the regions.

The research investigating whether the rail link could sustain itself was completed in December, five months later than originally anticipated. The full feasibility report should be released later this year.

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Train passengers used to stop in Nenana. Now, they wave from the windows as they pass through.

After the Alaska Railroad Corp. completes a project to add new lines bypassing the city, those passengers will hear about Nenana from the tour guide on board, but see only the outskirts of town. That has Nenana Mayor Jason Mayrand worried that an elusive tourism industry based on rail history is slipping further away.

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...The 249 vehicles, along with hundreds of containers of equipment, left Kuwait on Dec. 18 and arrived at the Port of Anchorage on Jan. 24. They traveled north via the Alaska Railroad. Thursday’s train was the second of two trains transporting the vehicles to Fort Wainwright. The first train arrived Saturday...

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The Alaska Railroad Corp. plans to spend nearly $100 million this year on
construction projects. About 84 percent of the total budget is federally
funded, primarily through the Federal Transit Administration.

Track work accounts for about $50 million of the capital budget. Work will
include replacing rail and ties, doing bridge repairs and straightening some
curves.

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A Kodiak Native corporation has an agreement with a Canadian mining company to purchase leases within the Matanuska coal fields. The area has a coal mining history more than 100 years long but produces no coal at this time.

For a minimum commitment of $2 million, Afognak Native Corp. could become 80 percent owner of a 22,647-acre coal lease known as the Chickaloon Lease Area currently held by Vancouver, British Columbia-based Full Metal Minerals.

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Gov. Sarah Palin tossed out one of former Gov. Frank Murkowski's so-called 11th-hour appointments Sunday, replacing Murkowski's son-in-law on the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors with recently elected Mat-Su Borough Mayor Curt Menard.

Palin also appointed one of her gubernatorial opponents, John Binkley, to the railroad board seat currently held by retired Gen. Joseph Ralston. Murkowski named Ralston to the board in 2005.

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The Alaska Railroad has scheduled four open house events in January to showcase plans for capital improvements during 2007. These venues provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on an annual proposed Program of Projects (POP).

Each open house will include continuing and proposed capital improvement projects that are in various stages, from conceptual planning to construction. Project managers will be on-hand to explain projects that are located all along the Railroad system from Seward to Fairbanks.

The schedule for the POP Open Houses are as follows:

• Fairbanks - 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 17, at the ARRC Depot, 1745 Johansen Expressway. Emphasis on projects located in Interior Alaska.
• Seward - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20, at ARRC's Passenger Dock Terminal on Port Avenue. Emphasis on projects located in Seward and along the mainline leading from Anchorage to Seward.
• Anchorage - 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, at the ARRC Ship Creek Historic Rail Depot, 411 West First Avenue. Emphasis on projects located in and around Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska.
• Wasilla/Palmer - 4:00 - 6:30 p.m., Thursday, January 25 - Evangelo's Restaurant, 2530 E. Parks Highway. Emphasis on projects located in and around the Mat-Su Valley.

For more information, please e-mail requests to public_comment@akrr.com
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The Alaska Railroad Corporation received the Gold Award from the Matanuska-Susitna Convention and Visitors Bureau (Mat-Su CVB) for its significant contributions to the visitor industry. The Alaska Railroad received the prestigious Gold Award during a recent awards luncheon held by the Mat-Su CVB.

Cheryl Metiva, executive director of the Wasilla Chamber nominated the Railroad for the award. Cheryl noted that the Alaska Railroad is "always wiling to help sponsor events and donate tickets for charity auctions, which raises money for local groups." In addition to community support, the Railroad partners with a number of different groups to provide services such as Palmer’s Colony Christmas Train, Wasilla's Murder on the Alaska Railroad and the annual train to the Alaska State Fair.

The Mat-Su CVB also credited the Alaska Railroad with being a major player in Alaska tourism but "staying committed to smaller, often family-run local business." While playing a significant role in the tourism industry, the Railroad is also committed to "railbelt community relations," citing the new South Palmer Station at the Alaska State Fair grounds.

"We are honored to receive this award," said Susie Kiger, Director, Sales and Marketing. "The Alaska Railroad is committed to providing a quality experience to residents and visitors in everything we do. We appreciate the continued support of the community and everyone at the Mat-Su CVB."
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