Turning Round the Wye
Photo courtesy of Mike Gerenday

Turnin' Round the Wye.

The Coastal Classic is performing its usual morning ritual after arriving in Seward. The train heads down the old Jesse Lee Main to the new Seward Depot. After all the passengers and luggage has been discharged, the train backs north around the wye into the yard, then it again travels north until the last coach clears the north leg of the wye and shoves south back to the Seward Depot. This is a unique photo of this operation and will not be repeated anytime soon I think.

Starting to get close to ten years ago I worked for a short time for ESS, the catering and janitorial company that is contracted by the ARR for it's services. I had worked as a cook and worked the Coastal Classic a few times. By the time we were getting around the wye, I was able to grab some photos of the yard, some equipment and the turning of the train. Harry Ross was the conductor and since it was his train, I could go in most places to grab whatever photo I wanted, within reason of course. Soon after I was hired by the ARR in the MOW and left ESS. 05/12/2014.