What's New - 2015 Archive

yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Winter Aurora - 12/28/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Tom Koole's Geocaching Tours passenger car - 12/27/15
yellow diamondMisc.: Railfans submitted their best photos and the top 18 were selected on best artistic merit. Vote for your favorite by January 10, 2016. One grand prize winner will receive the honor of the ARR calendar's cover, $1,500 and round trip travel for four. Click here to place your vote. - 12/27/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The November Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 12/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Peace, beauty and tranquility - 12/21/15
yellow diamondNews: While riding the rails in Alaska, breathtaking views come one after another - 12/20/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Holiday train - 12/14/15
yellow diamondNews: Video: All aboard the Holiday Train - 12/9/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Blazejewski's romp - 12/7/15
yellow diamondNews: Photos: Riding the train to the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction & Ball - 12/6/15
yellow diamondNews: What Alaska gets out of the new federal transportation bill - 12/6/15
yellow diamondNews: Congress passes transportation bill allocating $2.9 billion to Alaska - 12/6/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Returning locomotives from snowslide at MP 246.7 - 11/30/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad train gets stuck in snow slide near Talkeetna - 11/26/15
yellow diamondNews: Tesoro to buy some Flint Hills assets in Fairbanks, Anchorage - 11/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coastal Classic at Trail River - 11/23/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Tres Amigas - 11/16/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The October Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 11/13/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Four Mike Criss photos - 11/9/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad given OK to move more gas - 11/5/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Rusty Wendlandt HO scale 65-foot gondola - 11/4/15
yellow diamondNews: McKeen Car Cuyamaca Restoration update - 11/4/15
yellow diamondNews: President Obama signs H.R. 3819; PTC extension now official - 11/2/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Glacier Discovery at Potter - 11/2/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad gets multi-year reprieve from costly train safety rule - 10/30/15
yellow diamondNews: Ride the rails: In Alaska and around the world - 10/30/15
yellow diamondNews: Capitol Christmas Tree preps for 4,000-mile journey - 10/30/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Stewart Sterling's October 557 restoration photos - 10/28/15
yellow diamond2016 ARR Print: The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) will release its 2016 annual poster/print at three public sale-and-signing events featuring artist Jason Vukovich who will sign prints and posters. For more info click here. - 10/27/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The September Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 10/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fair Train and fireworks - 10/26/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: From KTUU, Assignment Alaska: Resurrecting an 'Iron Horse' - 10/25/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: No. 3015 in Seward - 10/19/15
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: David Rohdenburg captured ex-ARR GP49 #2806 in brand spanking new paint - 10/14/15
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Todd Hanson sent us photos of ex-ARR RDC #712 in Duluth, Minnesota - 10/14/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad OK’d for LNG transport - 10/14/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The August Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 10/12/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Company work train heading to Broad Pass - 10/12/15
yellow diamondNews: Train and ferry to the outdoors - 10/9/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: F7 #1506 in fresh snow approaching Girdwood - 10/5/15
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Matt Leistico for providing photos of Nenana depot circa 2015 - 9/28/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: The hills are on fire - 9/28/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Rusty Wendlandt HO scale 16xxx hoppers and K&W containers - 9/23/15
yellow diamondNews: Usibelli mine says it won't export coal for the rest of the year - 9/13/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: FRA's DOTX 219 - 9/21/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Door panels - 9/14/15
yellow diamondAdmin: Here is a question from modeler Randy Thompson, "Tangent has come out with a HO scale PS3 coal hopper that looks like a match for the Alaska Railroad 144xx series hoppers.  Tangent's version is an 80 ton, 2750cf built in 1957, is that close to the ARR version? Do you know the year the Alaska RR hoppers were built, capacity and the CF? " If you know the answer please send me the info and I will forward it on. - 9/13/15
yellow diamondNews: ATV driving on Alaska Railroad tracks nearly crashed into train, police say - 9/13/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Reflection at MP 145 - 9/7/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Mears Bridge - 8/31/15
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer is helping to beef up the rosters with August 1993 photos of hoppers 14751 and 14903, boxcar 10775, water car 682E, tank cars 6008 and 6051, flat car 12513 and the ARRC HQ building - 8/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: No. 3015 on Turnagain Arm - 8/24/15
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Keith Froedge sent us two photos of ex-ARR GP49 #2803 fresh from rebuild at R.J. Corman - 8/23/15
yellow diamondRosters: Terry Douglas added Low Boy #4 to our MOW roster - 8/23/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Rusty Wendlandt keeps cranky out the HO scale models. Check out his new batch of containers. - 8/23/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Crowley spur - 8/17/15
yellow diamondHistorical: Many thanks to John Taubeneck for sending us Alaska Central/Northern railway news tidbits from the Seattle Times - 8/16/15
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Terry Douglas and Brian Zak provided information on the status of ARR bi-level #602 - 8/16/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Tom Koole's N-scale connaboose - 8/16/15
yellow diamondJohn's bio: I made the centerfold for the Alaska Railroad's 2015-2016 Panoramas magazine - 8/16/15
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer spotted a fleet of Ryder rental trucks in the Anchorage yard - 8/16/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad launches photo contest - 8/16/15
yellow diamondNews: Sagging exports hit Usibelli coal production for fifth year in a row - 8/16/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The July Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 8/10/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fireworks and three paint schemes - 8/10/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous! Check out Rusty Wendlandt's TNM hoppers and 187xx series flat cars - 8/4/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Chugach Explorer - 8/3/15
yellow diamondNews: With revenue drop projected, Alaska Railroad explores alternative moneymakers - 7/28/15
yellow diamondNews: Farmers in path of stalled Point MacKenzie railroad line get $8 million - 7/28/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Pier 15 1/2 - 7/27/15
yellow diamondAdmin: I just got back from a week long vacation along the Ohio River. I'll begin updating the website soon. I gotta go back to work tomorrow. No more vacations for the rest of the year. :-( - 7/26/15
yellow diamondNews: On the Alaska Railroad, a moveable feast with a moveable view - 7/21/15
yellow diamondNews: Outdoors Amazing views of glacier make new Spencer Bench cabin popular - 7/21/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: River views - 7/20/15
yellow diamondAdmin: I just got back from a two week vacation. Needless to say I am buried in electrons! I'm sorting through over 500 emails and dozens of submissions. Don't hold your breath, but I've got lots of new stuff to add to the website. - 7/19/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The June Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 7/1/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: River views - 7/20/15
yellow diamondAdmin: I just got back from a two week vacation. Needless to say I am buried in electrons! I'm sorting through over 500 emails and dozens of submissions. Don't hold your breath, but I've got lots of new stuff to add to the website. - 7/19/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The June Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 7/1/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Here are the next three weeks worth of POTWs - 6/29/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Stewart Sterling's work crew photos - 6/6, 6/13 and 6/20 - 6/25/15
yellow diamondNews: Learning a New Approach to Railfanning in Alaska - 6/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Hurricane Turn (posting a day early as I am taking Father's Day off) - 6/22/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Rusty Wendlandt's 188xx series flat cars - 6/20/15
yellow diamondNews: Now it can be told: 100-year-old ledger sheds new light on Anchorage in 1915 - 6/16/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Fire suppression - 6/15/15
yellow diamondNews: Nenana railroad depot opens historical hotel - 6/9/15
yellow diamondNews: On Alaska Railroad, wilderness worth the waits - 6/9/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: SD70MAC on gravel train - 6/8/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The May Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 6/4/15
yellow diamondRosters: Shane Durand sent us some photos of all four of the former MP15s - 6/2/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: "Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade, strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made." Check out Stewart Sterling's painting 557's drivers photos - 6/2/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad head: Controlling right-of-way is vital to operating safely - 6/2/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Moose Pass - 6/1/15
yellow diamondIn remembrance: Stewart White - 5/27/15

yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Empty coal train on Eielson - 5/25/15
yellow diamondNews: Winners of the Denali Car raffle - 5/19/15
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Added Curt Fortenberry's photos of flat cars 19209 and 19217 - 5/19/15
yellow diamondRosters: Dick Morris sent us some additional historical information on steam locomotive #562 - 5/19/15
yellow diamondNews: Anchorage, railroad have ties that bind - 5/18/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Whittier bridge rail work - 5/18/15
yellow diamondNews: Interior Energy Project moving ahead, bit by bit - 5/17/15
yellow diamondNews: Work underway to link Clear Air Station to electric grid - 5/12/15
yellow diamondLinks: Added a link for Sikumi Custom Alaska Cruises - 5/12/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The April Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 5/12/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Aurora Winter Train - 5/11/15
yellow diamondLinks: Added a link for Eric's Car of the Month October 2008 edition for ARR Colorado Railcar bi-level passenger cars - 5/7/15
yellow diamondFilm: Chris Beheim sent the link The Cheechakos Project for "The Cheechakos" - 5/7/15
yellow diamondNews: Walker signs bill allowing bonding for rail safety system - 5/7/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad sees decrease in moose deaths caused by trains - 5/5/15
yellow diamondMaps: Shane Durand sent us a photo of an Anchorage yard drawing from the early 1950s - 5/5/15
yellow diamondRosters: Curt Fortenberry added a photo of a 163XX series hopper - 5/5/15
yellow diamondNews: Take in Alaskan scenery, wildlife on 12-hour rail ride - 5/5/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Connaboose - 5/4/15
yellow diamondFilm: Added Greg Thompson's photo of #1810 to the movie Under Siege 2 - 4/24/15
yellow diamondRosters: I'm very excited with Jonathan Fischer's recent submission to help fill in my former passenger car roster with numbers 4806, 5012, 5404, 5408, 6310 and 7013. He photographed these in the fall of 1980 on their way through the Stacy St. yard in Seattle.- 4/30/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Talking shop - 4/27/15
yellow diamondBibliography: Frank Keller has been a busy little bee publishing huge articles in the December 2014 Railroads Illustrated and 2015-1 Passenger Train Journal. I added both entries to the periodicals section. Also, a new book entitled, Alaska Railroad In Color Volume 1: Decades of Transition will be vailable July 2015 - 4/25/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad Trips That Suit the Whole Family - 4/25/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The March Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 4/20/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Horizontal rainbow - 4/20/15
yellow diamondNews: Railroad Days - 2015 Alaska Railroad Open House - 4/17/15
yellow diamondRosters: Curt Fortenberry sent us two photos of passenger car #5715 (1, 2), hopper #14402, flat car #19000 and tank car #9305 - 4/17/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Stewart Sterling's March 28 557 restoration photos - 4/17/15
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to Bob Garner for sending us updated information on former passenger car #5717 - 4/14/15
yellow diamondSpecial Features: Added two of Shane Durand's photos of #3012 in primer to "Repainting the Power - 3012" - 4/14/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Bridge beams - 4/13/15
yellow diamondNews: Oilfield freight balances refinery freight loss for Alaska Railroad - 4/12/15
yellow diamondStrange Freight: Frank Keller submits a photo essay on new bridge beams - 4/10/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Snowfleet at Broad Pass - 4/6/15
yellow diamondNews: Bill allows Alaska Railroad to issue bonds for safety technology - 4/5/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Double stacks out of Whittier - 3/30/15
yellow diamondSpecial Features: Added "Repainting the Power - 3012" - 3/24/15
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer's barge bookends, more barge bookends and Passage Canal - 3/24/15
yellow diamondMisc: Do you want a free ex-ARR F7? If so then check out this Craig's List ad - 3/24/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: Dan Boyard sent #557 photos that appeared in my book "Big Bend Railroads" and ones that were cut for one reason or another. - 3/24/15
yellow diamondFilm: Many thanks to Volker Gerisch for sending a YouTube link of stunt work performed during the making of Runaway Train - 3/24/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Bristol Weeden's SeaLand flat cars - 3/24/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Cruise train at Windy - 3/23/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: In the middle of nowhere - 3/16/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The February Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 3/12/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Empty coal near Rainbow - 3/9/15
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of GP7 nos. 1802 and 1803 - 3/6/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info:The 557 Restoration Company is holding a raffle to raise funds to put #577 back on the tracks. First prize is a Private Denali Car day trip to Seward. Click here for more information or contact Pat Durand to purchase a ticket. - 3/6/15
yellow diamondLinks: Added a link for HO scale Alaska Railroad track repair article - 3/6/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: MATCHING CHALLENGE - DOUBLE YOUR DONATION - On March 2, an anonymous donor issued a matching challenge. He will match up to $5,000 in donations. Donations by cash, check, or through the web page, including sponsorships of tube and flues, are eligible for the 100% match. - 3/6/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: ARR 4010 130S Glenn Highway - 3/2/15
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Added Jonathan Fischer's photos of retired passenger cars nos. 4842 and 5203 - 2/28/15
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Shane Durand shared photos from a "hopper graveyard" - 2/28/15
yellow diamondHistorical: Chris Beheim provided us a news article on the first spike - 2/26/15
yellow diamondReference: Dan Bolyard has published a book titled "Big Bend Railroads." The next to last chapter of the book covers the 557 from delivery in Everett in 1965 to departure to Alaska in 2012. It is available now on Amazon.com. Click here for more information. - 2/26/15
yellow diamondIn remembrance: David Tempest - 2/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Nodwell at Portage - 2/23/15
yellow diamondHistorical: Retired Alaska Railroad employee Andrew J. Clark shared 114 photos collected during his time working in the communications department - 2/22/15
yellow diamondHistorical: Sherman Stebbins added a 1904 photo of the Alaska Central Railroad lumber mill to his online historical section. - 2/20/15
yellow diamondRosters: I am blown away by all the time, effort and research Joost Majoor put into these Excel timetables. Many thanks to him for sharing them with us! - 2/20/15
yellow diamondRosters: A heartfelt thanks to Brian Zimmer for sharing a short history of his great great grandfather Benjamin Franklin Eidenier as well as a photo of steam locomotive I.C.C. #287. This helps to fill in one of the remaining holes on my Alaska Railroad locomotive roster! - 2/20/15
yellow diamondModeling: Robert Krol pointed out that Testors dropped all their railroad paint However, there is a new modeler's paint called Tru-Color. - 2/20/15
yellow diamondModeling: "I wanted to let you know about my 3D N scale cars and upcoming projects. I currently have two Alaska cars on my Shapeways shop - Upper Level Platform Car #651-656, and the Royal Celebrity Tours Wilderness Express cars #1001-1004. I am currently working on the single level dome cars (along with the VIA Rail cars) #551-554 and $555-557. My Shapeways shop address is - https://www.shapeways.com/search?q=BCCan." Peter Cawthorne, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia - 2/20/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Posted Dave VinZant's trailers - 2/20/15
yellow diamondModeling: Since the announcement of the new Rapido Trains HO scale RDC they have been inundated with requests for more information. The first release comprises the RDC-1 in Phase 1 and Phase 2 versions. Next up will be the RDC-2s and RDC-3s.

The ALASKA Railroad had RDC-2’s and RDC-3’s, so please email Rapido Trains and ask for them to include the ARR units when they do those two models in the near future.

The American RDC models feature numerous road name-specific details, including accurate roof blisters; etched window safety grills; shop-built headlight assemblies; pilots or no pilots as appropriate; accurate interior colors for each road name; and optional diaphragms, as appropriate.

Most importantly, all of our RDCs feature full interiors; full underbody equipment; lit number boards, headlight and class lights; and the option of amazingly accurate sound. If you are interested in an ALASKA model please email Rapido Trains and let them know! - 2/19/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: NRHS grant serves as ‘seal of approval’ in search for more funds - 2/16/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coastal Classic at Bartlett Glacier - 2/16/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The January Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 2/15/15
yellow diamondModeling: Many thanks to Ivar Aas from Norway for helping to update the G scale modeling page - 2/12/15
yellow diamondEmail Addresses: Added Italian locomotive engineer Filippo Zandonà's email address - 2/12/15
yellow diamondRosters: Shane Durand contributions: The Death of 1802 and 1806 and death of the Russell plow - 2/10/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad accepting art submissions for annual contest - 2/10/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coastal Classic sunset - 2/9/15
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer sent us photos of the Aurora roaring through Montana and as nature intended it. - 2/5/15
yellow diamondFreight/Passenger: Added a new section on idler flats - 2/5/15
yellow diamondRosters: Many thanks to John Carrico for contributing photos of steam locomotives 404 (1, 2) and 405 during their time in Spain - 2/5/15
yellow diamondWhere Are They Now?: Paul Powers sent in a recent photo taken by Elena Powers of retired ARR bi-level #601 in Delta Junction - 2/5/15
yellow diamondReference: Dan Bolyard has published a book titled "Big Bend Railroads." The next to last chapter of the book covers the 557 from delivery in Everett in 1965 to departure to Alaska in 2012. It is available now on Amazon.com. Click here for more information. - 2/5/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: They aren't as cute as a kittens or puppies, but they don't need to be fed, you don't need to clean up after them, and they won't grow up. 150 new boiler tubes and 50 new flues recently arrived in the 557 Engine House and each is looking for a sponsor. Can't you just imagine one looking up at you with its big eyes, tail wagging, and hoping that you are the one who is going to pick it for a sponsorship? For details, go to the Engine 557 page under "donate." - 2/4/15
yellow diamondAdmin: I turned 55 about a week ago and the celebrations finally wound down last night. I am seriously behind on this website, but will start cranking out updates in the next couple of days. If you've sent me recently then have no fear. You will see it soon. - 2/4/15
yellow diamondNews: Natural gas could come to Fairbanks via railroad - 2/4/15
yellow diamondNews: Mat-Su gets reality check for $35 million rail extension request - 2/4/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad safety project faces state's new fiscal reality - 2/4/15
yellow diamondNews: State agency to purchase Fairbanks natural gas utility - 2/4/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad celebrates 90th anniversary of 1925 serum run - 2/2/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: A tale of two trains - 2/2/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Old Man Winter comes to Alaska - 1/26/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Ballast train at Portage - 1/19/15
yellow diamondHistorical: Margaret Wray added two more excellent photos to Stephen Krawczyk, Living in Alaska. - 1/15/15
yellow diamondModeling: From Randy Thompson at Roundhouse Hobbies -I'm home in Washington for a short visit in mid-March and will be shipping all the RH orders on hand. Please mail any additional RH orders and payment (check, money order or paypal) by March 7th so I can be sure to fulfill your order while I'm there. An email to: randy17428@gmail.com to verify your order and payment type would be helpful and ensure your order is on hand and expedited as soon as possible. There's lots of new stuff out this spring and I still have some HO and N scale passenger cars available. Thanks for your understanding and patience. Hope to hear from all of you soon. My mailing address is on the RH website contact page. - 1/13/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Coal train at Moose Pass - 1/12/15
yellow diamondSpecial Features: Alaska Railroad Special Agent Badges - 1/11/15
yellow diamondAlaska Facts: Many thanks to Rick Kisinger for Alaska population updates. It's been 11 years since I updated this page and the data was pretty stale. - 1/11/15
yellow diamondNews: Alaska Railroad celebrates its 30th birthday under state ownership - 1/11/15
yellow diamondNo. 557 Info: The December Engine 557 Restoration Company Progress Report - 12/6/15
yellow diamondHall of Fame: The 2014 inductee to John's Alaska Railroad Web Page Hall of Fame is Frank Keller. Congratulations! - 1/6/15
yellow diamondPicture of the Week: Bi-level commuter railcars - 1/5/15
yellow diamondRosters: Jonathan Fischer provided us with photos of no. 2803 and friends, ARR 14100 along East Marginal Way South in Seattle on 5/26/14 (hoppers roster page) and CRLE 4020 on Harbor Island on 5/31/14 (flatcars roster page) - 1/2/15
yellow diamondPeople's Creations: Additional photos of Bristol Weeden's Garden Island layout and Jeff McCrea's private railcar - 1/2/15
yellow diamondWebmaster's note: Happy New Year! - 1/1/15

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