Dave Blazejewski says of his photo, "So I got out trackside today for a quick little chase of a 120S from Anchorage to Bear Valley thanks to a tip from Frank Keller. The timing and lightning were perfect and I decided to try a shot I've had my eye on for 10 years. While I've shot here at this iconic Placer Creek location countless times, I've never waded down into the creek. In the summer the willows are too green and thick and it will be much more obscured. In winter the snow can get really deep here and the river will ice over, so the window for open water and no brush is pretty narrow.

"But the really hard part is finding a train at exactly the right time in good light. Well today it all came together. I followed the train all the way south shooting along the arm and then after watching him diverge at Portage Junction I buzzed down the road towards Whittier. For whatever reason he took quite a bit longer to get there than usual. This was good and bad. It was nice that it afforded me plenty of time to wade down there and find my angle, but less than ideal in the 15 degree temps out in the creek. I found a nice dry rock to lay on to get the low angle I wanted and then waited.

"The problem always with this spot is that you have no warning of the train approaching. You can't see it and you can't hear it due to the mile long tunnel he traverses before crossing the creek and the fact that the rolling water and occasional vehicle traffic mask any hint of sound emanating from the tunnel such that by the time you do hear him approach you have two seconds. Hence, in order not to miss your shot (and trust me I have more than once!) you have to have your camera positioned and ready.

"But, one benefit today with the cold dry air was the gentle cloud wafting out of the tunnel from the heaters that keep the portals from icing over. As soon as the train entered the tunnel it began pushing the exhaust and warm air ahead of it so the cloud got progressively larger giving me a nice four minute warning this time!

"I thought these two shots of the two distinct clouds coming from the tunnel were just kind of cool." (1, 2, 3)

Recently Arlene Rhoades shared these extremely unique photos on Facebook and I asked if I could use them as an upcoming Picture of the Week. Arlene is the Alaska Railroad's Chief Train Dispatcher and began working in May of 2000. Of her photos she says, "Just watched a show on station wagons.... made me sentimental for my dad's wagons.... he drove nothing but at home and the office. Black Mariah in action at Tunnel, 1983."

"Jack Hepworth started working for the ARR in 1958 (not sure exactly). He retired in 1985 when lots of federal employees retired prior to or right after the handoff to the state. When he retired he was Superintendent of Transportation. The car was retired then as well I believe." (1, 2, 3)

For twenty one years I have posted a Picture of the Week. If I was going on vacation, having surgery, etc. I would put up photos in advance for the forthcoming weeks. However, this week I was thrown for a loop. On March 23 at 1:00 AM my daughter called and said she was having serious labor pains and our grandson would be popping out soon. So we grabbed our stuff and made the two hour drive to her home. At 5:35 AM our (fourth) grandson "Lincoln" was born. How exciting! He is so wonderful! I realized today (March 25) I didn't have my software tools (Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop and FTP Fetch) with me to create a POTW. What you see for this week's entry is some interesting and recently received photos which I uploaded with a crude set of software tools using my wife's laptop. In my memory I have only missed posting a POTW once and I'm not going to let it happen again!

Robert Krol was passing by Potter and noticed a string of flat cars with the word "Rage"following the road number. What does this mean? Frank Keller was kind enough to solve the riddle. "Those flat cars are to be loaded with ties in Whittier. A work train should pick them up this week and take them to Whittier. These flat cars are retired and can only be used in Maintenance of Way (MOW) service. Rage stands for Retirement AGE." (1, 2 3, 4)

GP40 #3005, built in April of 1975, idles in the Healy Yard, with the rock train behind it. Taken on April 28, 2018

Rick Leggett adds, "Getting that kind of power for a work train, especially for air dumps, was only a dream at one time. Speaking of air dumps, there is an interesting story behind that string of cars in the photo. President Bob Hatfield asked me soon after he started in the early 90's, what we needed in MOW to keep the railroad 'open' in an emergency. I told him that our Ditchers (locomotive cranes w/shovel fronts) and air dumps were the two most important pieces of equipment we owned for taking care of emergencies and that we were in good shape with Ditchers, but our WW2 era air dumps were falling like flies. He said, "I think I can do something about that." Not too long after that, these heavy duty cars were on the property. He knew about them because they had been used by the Southern Pacific to build up the causeway across the Great Salt Lake and the SP had so many of them, they were willing to sell some. Because they were used to dump large rip-rap for the causeway project, they were built by Difco to be heavier duty than their standard side-dump cars. So thanks to Bob Hatfield and Bob Cox (the VP-COO)...we had these beauties on the ARR. Thanks again Bob and Bob!"

All of these photos were taken from the Johansen expressway on 23 August 2018. As luck would have it the overnight northbound freight was running late that day, I knew this because I was at the bridge setting up earlier in the day (around 0700) when an ARR yard employee yelled up to me it was running late; told me it was expected around 1130 - 1200. I thanked him and packed up my stuff, deciding to come back later. I have to say every ARR employee I met was cool as heck, every engineer gave me a friendly wave, and several stopped to chat while I was waiting to give me updates on the trains schedule.

Anyway, I came back later and was able to catch 130N rolling into the yard. I'm only guessing but I believe they prepositioned 2005/2004 in order to expedite breaking down the overnight freight. I mentioned luck since the delay allowed the weather to clear up.... turned into one of the nicer, non-raining, days there.

130 pulled down until the TOFC section was almost even with 2004/2005, uncoupled, then pulled their train ahead to clear space allowing 2004/2005 to pull up, back down and couple onto the TOFC section. 2004/2005 then pulled the TOFC's up into the intermodal unloading siding.

Once clear 130 backed their remaining section back into the south-yard; first setting their string of tank cars lead, then up and back to set out the remaining cars. After 130's engines left for the engine facility 2004/2005 came back and grabbed the string of tank cars 130 had set out. They then proceeded to run to North Pole; I chased them there and grabbed a few shots of them setting out and picking up more tanks at the old refinery.

The southbound Hurricane Turn led by Alaska Railroad NPCU 32 (Former Amtrak F40PHR 268) departs the Talkeetna, Alaska house track and makes the half mile trip to the station as it crosses the main road in town. That's Mount Foraker in the background, all 17,400 feet of it. It's the third tallest mountain in North America. 

The Hurricane Turn is the most unique train in North America, in my opinion. For 60 miles, the train travels through unspoiled wilderness not accessible by road. Therefore, the train is a lifeline for the people who choose to live off-grid. Its the only way in and out of this area, unless you fly in. Although you can sit in the dome car and enjoy the scenery, the best place on the train in my opinion is the baggage car. There, you can stand and converse with the off-gridders, the whitewater rafters, and the adventurers that are here to get all that Alaska has to offer. I rode here for most of the trip.

It must have left a large enough impression on mom, since it was her favorite train ride on the trip.

Huge thanks to John Combs for insisting that we take the train! Although it was on our list to do as such, his emphasis on the train definitely made the difference on our plans.

This week's Picture of the Week recognizes the dedicated volunteers rebuilding steam locomotive #557.

From the left,  Ken Elmore, Gerry Christiansen, Jerry Peters, Robert Franzen, President of Steam Services of America, Bob Gold, Boiler Maker, Mike Mckervey, Jerry Cunnington, Dean Sawyer, Tom Walker and Lynn Willis.  Pat Durand took the photo in the 557 Engine House October 12, 2018.   On the ninth day of a ten day marathon of boiler work on 557, the crew takes a lunch break.   Silver Salmon, two versions of corn casserole, green salad and apple cake, kept the Volunteer 557 Mechanical Department available for a quick restart.  Over 1000 hours of volunteer effort went into supporting PE, Robert Franzen and boiler maker Bob Gold.   The crew worked 10 hour days under their direction and you can see daily progress at  Engine 557 Facebook.

From the left:  Tom Walker, Gerry Christensen, Jerry Peters, Robert Franzen, Mike McKervey, Bob Gold, Lynn Willis, Paul Dalleska, Ken Elmore, Ron Dudley and Pat Durand took the photo.

The cacophony of air hammers, air motors, and grinders floods the senses and requires lots of hearing protection.   There are men at work on top of the firebox, inside the boiler, inside the firebox and under the throat sheet in this photo.  Sort of reminiscent of an old time boiler shop!

For your Alaskan Interlude let's take you to Alaska's own "Sullivan's Curve" named for Michael Sullivan of Hoboken NJT fame whose brush cutting skills earlier in the year opened up this shot. It's rare to catch a GP38-2 on the main, as the classic little 2000 hp units are generally reserved for yard duty. And since they are the only class of loco wearing the 1980's "Alaska Bold" scheme it is an extra special treat, particularly in the short window of golden fall color! Northbound 120N from Whittier swings around the big curve north of Rainbow siding at MP 93.5 on the Kenai Subdivision. September 16, 2016.

It is frustrating choosing just one photo for each week's Picture of the Week entry. Therefore, to ease my anxiety (as well as give you an unexpected bonus) I am going to spit out multiple photos taken by one photographer over the next few weeks.

It's a warm May 12, 2014 and the Coastal Classic is being turned on the wye, and I happened to be on it. Number 3015 with the McKinley Express (MEX) is in the yard. Mount Marathon provides the backdrop in this scene.

The Coastal Classic and Mount Marathon. This picture was taken after the train was turned on the wye, about half an hour half the above photo. As you can see it was a beautiful clear day in Seward, not very common. Interestingly, while I took the photo ARR employees, Seward EMTs and police took part in a live training exercise in the event a passenger train derails. 5/12/18

Number 3015 stands tall on the Palmer Branch after bringing happy fairgoers to the Alaska State Fair. Number 3015 had just returned to service after a rebuild. 9/4/18

It is frustrating choosing just one photo for each week's Picture of the Week entry. Therefore, to ease my anxiety (as well as give you an unexpected bonus) I am going to spit out multiple photos taken by one photographer over the next few weeks.

A couple of Alaska Cabooses bring up the rear of the company work train on a glorious afternoon for photography. This train has just crossed beneath the Parks Highway a few miles from Cantwell. Really nice of the rainbow to make an appearance as well. September 2016.

Nothing quite like a winter scene in Alaska. And with the railroad currently shut down due to the earthquake I thought I would go to the archives for today's shot. The plow train departs Broad Pass after clearing the line from snow. The sun was out but never rose high enough in the sky to light the valley and train. It wasn't really necessary as this shot turned out great.

The scenery is unparalleled between Anchorage and Seward and I like to spend as much time taking photos anywhere in between. Plenty of chances to see wildlife, I have seen bears, moose, sheep, coyotes, and whales of course those are all chance sightings. You're happy if you spot let alone get a picture but during the summer I often turn my camera to the passenger trains that run south from Anchorage. These trains are the subject of many of my photos and run on a predictable schedule making your chances for success much greater. This shot shows the Coastal Classic rolling through the big curve just prior to their station stop at Girdwood.

Earlier in the year the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star crosses the Mears Memorial Bridge across the Tanana River in Nenana. It was at the north end of this bridge that President Harding drove home the golden spike signifying completion of the Alaska Railroad.

A southbound military train rolls by the University of Fairbanks just a bit after sunrise last Friday. It was a cool 5 degrees and this would be the biggest appearance of the sun for the day.

Sadly Frank Keller reports no lights or decorations of any kind on the locos, breaking a long tradition. So I'm going to take you back again two years to a better time. Here is the 3 PM run having reached the end of their southbound trip 25 miles from Anchorage at the siding in Indian. They will reverse direction here for the run back to town. The high peaks of mighty Chugach Mountains at the head of the valley are deep in snow and the ice flows are thick in the tidal waters of Turnagain Arm. But all is warm and cozy in the glowing train down below in this aerial view. Indian, Alaska December 10, 2016.

Let's take you back to December 2, 2018. SD70MAC 4327 is bedecked in Christmas Lights as it adds a splash of color to a gloomy dark cloudy evening as they round Beluga Point alongside Turnagain Arm with a holiday train out of Anchorage that was making a round trip to and from Indian. This was one of the last trains I chased in Alaska before hitting the road for points south and east. Last year the weather was gloomy and snow was light, making the holiday trains decidedly less photogenic.

I thought a photo of a company work train was appropriate given that the hard working engineering and transportation teams worked around the clock to assess and then repair the damage to the railroad after last Friday's 7.0 earthquake that was centered very close the the railroad's headquarters city of Anchorage. This very equipment was what was employed to repair the damage that everyone has seen on the wires. Thanks to their efforts the first freight train departed on the 356 mile journey between Alaska's two largest cities last night, less than 100 hours after the quake hit! This shot was taken in less stressful times back on April 20, 2017 as a train of side dump gondolas and flat cars of heavy equipment curl south along Turnagain Arm behind an SD70MAC, GP40-2, and GP38-2 each sporting a different paint scheme. The men and women of the Alaska Railroad are some of the proudest, most competent, and most professional railroaders I've ever had the pleasure of working with.

What's kind of cool about this shot is that it was taken from the same spot, with the the same camera, and is the same train as this image. Just shows you the trick your lens can play from full 270mm zoom to backing all the way out to 18mm wide. Southbound Denali Star crosses Cantwell Creek in Cantwell, Alaska. September 15, 2017.

Big Country - Tiny Train! For this Alaskan Interlude I offer you a favorite. And ironically, this isn't a little train. This is, in point of fact, the Alaska Railroad's largest passenger train of the year. 16 cars are bracketed by three big SD70MACs with the annual Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage's Curry Ski train. Looking down from the new Parks Highway overpass at MP 206.25 south of Montana, Alaska the southbound train is dwarfed by the enormity that is Alaska. Rising dramatically beyond the train 77 miles away...as the Raven flys....is Denali, The Great One...North America's highest peak at 20,310 feet March 11, 2017.