On October 12, 1986 the Alaska Railroad experienced a "once in 100 year" flood that came from the remnants of a typhoon. Major damage occurred from Seward to Hurricane with two major bridges taken out....Sheep Creek and Montana Creek. This photo was taken somewhere between Hunter and Divide and is typical of the damage that occurred in many locations. With the railroad effectively shut down, people from every department came together and pitched in to get trains running again in less than 12 days. It truly was a shining moment in the Alaska Railroad's history.

Bryan Saul adds, "I believe this washout was just north of Nash Road crossing in Seward. Our yard crew spent a futile day at the height of the storm trying to keep the track from washing out. Unfortunately we only had one side dump car to work with. After the roadbed was washed away, planking was placed over the suspended ties, so that the people that live on the other side could access their mobile homes."