Number 3003

Monday, 18 September, 2023: Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) Fairbanks Yard Job heads Railroad North into the small community of Moose Creek. This day would mark the 76th birthday for the USAF and would also be the last trip to Eielson for this seasonal summer crew. Here they are paralleling what used to be the Old Richardson Highway and have just passed MP G22 on their trip to the end of the line at Eielson Air Force Base. While at Eielson they would drop these 18 loads of coal from the Usibelli Mine in Healy and grab 20 empties that would eventually make their way back to the mine. Eielson AFB is as far Railroad North as you can get and takes loads of coal two to three times a week for their Central Heat and Power Plant on base. 3003 and 2006 have the honors this day on what would be their last week powering this job. USAF flags would adorn 2006 before leaving Eielson with this crew, one last time.

Photo courtesy of Dylan Robert