2007 News Archive
(April - June)
 
Trespassing - 3/24/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Staff Report

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.

[See story]

City preparing to change traffic flow as part of railroad deal - 3/16/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Chris Eshleman

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.

[See story]

State says no to herbicide use along Alaska Railroad's tracks - 3/4/07
Anchorage Daily News
By ELIZABETH BLUEMINK

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.

[See story]

Great Alaska Ski Train - 3/2/07
KTVA.com
By Brett Shepard

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.

[See story]

State blocks Alaska Railroad from spraying herbicides - 3/1/07
Anchorage Daily News
By ELIZABETH BLUEMINK

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.

[See story]

Rondy railroad exhibit celebrates 16 years - 2/27/07
KTUU.com
by Maria Downey

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

[See story]

Assembly challenges Army railroad project - 2/11/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Chris Eshleman

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.

[See story]

Mining potential could justify Alaska-Canada rail link - 2/18/07
Alaska Journal of Commerce
By Melissa Campbell

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.

[See story]

Railroad plans trouble Nenana - 2/11/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Eric Lidji

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.

[See story]

Surplus locomotive update - 2/8/07
Submitted by an anonymous source
The units at NRE are not abandoned by ARR. They will be entering the paint shop and returning to Alaska over the next 3-4 months in good repair. The 2 GP49's on NRE property 2801 and 2804 were awarded to HELM at the bid solicitation. HELM subsequently sold them both to NRE, who is either selling or leasing them to Chile.
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Overhaul window short - 2/4/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Margaret Friedenauer

...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...

[See story]

Alaska Railroad slated to spend $100 million in 2007 - 2/4/07
Alaska Journal of Commerce
By Melissa Campbell

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.

[See story]

Railroad realignment proving costly - 2/1/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Eric Lidji

Early cost estimates for railroad realignments in Fairbanks put even the cheapest option at $167 million, according to new Alaska Railroad Corp. figures.

Although the railroad has not eliminated any of the options, officials said obtaining funding would be a prerequisite.

“Most of it comes down to working financially forward,” said Eileen Reilly, a railroad vice president.

[See story]

Rail projects open for public review - 1/16/07
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
By Eric Lidji

The goals of a major railroad realignment in Fairbanks haven’t changed much since the Alaska Railroad Corp. held its last Program of Projects, but people who visit the event this year will find the scope of the realignment has drastically changed.

What started as a plan to reroute track around Fort Wainwright and across the Richardson Highway south to North Pole is now two separate plans, one of which encompasses several expensive and long-term plans.

[See story]

GP49s heading to Whittier - 1/12/07
By Stewart Sterling
On my first delivery of the day to Wal-Mart a southbound freight was waiting by the diamond center (for clearance I assume) and it had THREE of the GP-49s behind 2 MACs . The GP49s were 3,6&7 I think. They were very (unusually) clean with it looked like fresh silver painted trucks but they had at least two feet of snow on them. I took several pictures with my cell phone but it was still dark and the included one is the only one that remotely turned out and looks pretty crummy. At 1035am they passed me at the 104th street crossing heading south, to Whittier I would assume.
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Train car installation - 1/10/07
By John Combs
A municipal resolution regarding off-street parking passed on January 9 which will allow for the installation of the passenger car at Al’s Alaskan Inn. Allen Choy's response was "Yeah....finally!!"
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Afognak Corp. has agreement to buy into Canada firm's coal mining leases - 1/10/07
Anchorage Daily News
By SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN

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.

[See story]

Binkley named a railroad director - 1/8/07
Anchorage Daily News
By ANNE AURAND

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.

[See story]

ARRC to Hold Capital Project Open Houses - 1/8/07
AlaskaRailroad.com


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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Alaska Railroad Corporation Awarded Top Honors from Mat-Su CVB - 1/8/07
AlaskaRailroad.com

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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Whittier snowfall stats - 1/3/07
Submitted by Mark Earnest
For your information, here are updated official 2006 snowfall stats for Whittier:

Snowfall for December: 151.55 inches
Snowfall to date (season): 177.55 inches
Most snowfall in 24 hours: 35 inches (December 23)
Current weather (Jan 1, 2007): blizzard!
The rail yard is almost entirely surrounded by snow berms.
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Happy New Year - 1/1/07
Submitted by John Combs
Best wishes for a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!
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Page created 5/1/07 and last updated 5/1/07