2010 News Archive
(October-December)
 
Double stack testing? - 12/27/10
Submitted by an anonymous source
The clearance car was spotted tonight at the yard office.  The structure used to test for the DMU has been removed and a new structure built onto it.  Coupled alone to a GP-38 with Fred installed. Looks like a clearance test for the double stack well car.
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Alaska coal creates demand, opposition - 12/26/10
Anchorage Daily News
By ELIZABETH BLUEMINK
One of Alaska's major exports -- coal -- has been racking up record shipments over the past couple of years.

Coal developers buoyed by Asia's energy boom and soaring coal prices are contemplating even more expansion in Alaska.

[See story]

GP49s in St. Louis - 12/15/10
Submitted by Carl Buehler

From 12/18/10
GP49's - 2803, 2806, 2807. According to your roster they were sold to Helm Leasing in 2006. Looks like they finally found a buyer in US Rail Partners. Would be neat to catch them in their new paint before shipping.

This is as close as I could get to the three units here in East St. Louis. The guard was not hospitable and could care less about my presence. The letters USRP are spray painted on the cab below the numbers of all three locomotives. Most if not all the repainted locomotives on sight are lettered for Helms Leasing HLMX. Looks like they escaped the scrap metal yard at least for now.

From 12/14/10
At least two of the GP49’s have been moved off the holding track area. I really could not get any closer than outside this fence because it was Saturday morning. As soon as this poor weather (by St. Louis standards) clears I will try to get inside the gate (with permission) and get closer photos. It appears that they are to be rebuilt and leased or sold to a short line railroad. If/when they get repainted it would be a nice photo if I am lucky enough to catch them.

Looks like this is where the loco's are eventually heading: http://www.usrp-ltd.com/
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Double stacks - 12/18/10
Submitted by an anonymous source
The 3 unit well car made it into state on Wednesday's barge. It is sitting on the scale this morning and appears to be a triple 48 foot well. It is planned that bulktainers and empty recycle cans be brought up in these cars and then returned south as loaded scrap and recycled products with empty bulktainers.
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EPA, others balk at Tanana rail bridge - 12/16/10
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
by Christopher Eshleman

FAIRBANKS — Federal environmental regulators said Friday a bridge proposed to span the Tanana River represents too big of an environmental risk.

The concern may not stop the project, which has attracted strong advocacy from public officials in the Interior, but it represents at least a crimp in the plan. Managers hope to start construction next year on a bridge-and-levee project that could last four years.

[See story]

Double stacks - 12/12/10
by John Combs

The double stack car is a three section drawbar connected car made up of 3-53 ft wells. The car number the railroad is supposed to be getting is the DTTX620612. It started at SeaPac services and was loaded with six 20 ft containers. This is on loan and hopefully the railroad will keep it for two months. It is intended for use in service from Seward to Anchorage and Anchorage to Fairbanks for both Northland Services and AML.

The car came off the barge on December 8th. Its first stop should be Anchorage for measurements, etc. My guess is the railroad will be studying things closely for clearance issues.
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Alaska Railroad sets weekend open house to debut 2011 poster - 12/6/10
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
by Dermot Cole

FAIRBANKS — The Alaska Railroad plans to sell its 2011 prints and posters Dec. 18 at the Fairbanks railroad depot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Artist Douglas Girad is expected to be on hand and sign copies of "Northbound Over the Matanuska Bridge."

[See story]

Challenges abound for new rail bridge over Tanana River - 11/16/10
Anchorage Daily News
Associated Press

FAIRBANKS -- A proposed $160 million railroad bridge across the Tanana River that will be the largest in Alaska is already posing challenges in the planning stage.

[See story]

Double stack testing - 11/13/10
Submitted by John Combs
The railroad will receive a couple of articulating well deck double stack flat cars (TTX) on one of the next barges. They already tested them 3-5 years ago and from what I heard, they worked great as long as the customers can pay attention to how they load them. The railroad chose not to take the risk back then because of the difficulty of ensuring not double stacking the wrong two containers.
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GP40 nos. 3007 and 3008 status - 11/4/10
Submitted by an anonymous source
The ARR units have made it to Motive Power in Boise.  Union Pacific interchanged to the them to Boise Valley Railroad way earlier than they said they would.
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GP40 nos. 3007 and 3008 status - 11/1/10
Submitted by an anonymous source
Well I just checked with the UP car trace and if you want to trust their system the ARR units are stuck in or near La Grande, OR right now.  They show making it here on the Boise Valley on November 5th.  My guess is they have some kind of problem.
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Ski Train to Curry sold out - 10/26/10
Anchorage Daily News

The last $100 ticket for the March 19 trip was sold Monday. The ski train is coming off a one-year hiatus prompted by severe cutbacks and layoffs at the Alaska Railroad.

[See story]

Locomotive repainting - 10/13/10
Submitted by John Combs
GP40 nos. 3007 and 3008 arrived in Seattle today. They will be repainted in the blue and yellow SD70MAC paint scheme.
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Alyeska Mystery Train - 10/1/10
AmericanTowns.com

Come aboard the Alyeska Mystery Train and take a ride to a land where vampires still roam. Travel along the scenic, yet tumultuous Turnagain Arm to haunted Hotel Alyeska in Girdwoodvania. Local lore claims that resident ghosts wander the shadowy hallways of the haunted castle. You are invited to stay the night and see if you survive the mysterious events of the evening. Are you up for this frightening challenge?

This scary good deal includes one way rail Anchorage to Girdwood, motorcoach return, cash bar, and complimentary appetizers on board. Plus, a night stay at the haunted Hotel Alyeska, seated dinner, dessert, and the Halloween Dance Party – sure to be a howling monster mash!

Date and Time: October 30, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Location: Alaska Railroad Corporation, 327 Ship Creek Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501.

Cost: Only $249 per guest, based on double occupancy
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Page created 11/1/10 and last updated 12/31/10