Mixed Train

	The first mixed train to run on the ARR in over three decades is crossing the Talkeetna spur road and beginning to slow for its scheduled station stop. Rising behind the train is the 20,320 ft summit of Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. From head to rear this 2300+ ft train consists of 3 SD70MACs, 13 passenger coaches, 7 53 ft COFC flats, and 10 loaded tank cars of diesel fuel. MP 225.7, Talkeetna. March 14, 2009
	The first mixed train to run on the ARR in over three decades is highballing north at track speed rolling through the junction at NSS Matanuska (MP 151.4 on the ARR mainline). Three SD70MACs lead a 2300 ft train consisting of 13 coaches (with 120 paying passengers), 7 COFC flats, and 10 loaded tank cars of diesel fuel. The ARR is exercising an FRA waiver to run mixed trains allowing it to consolidate some traffic and operate as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. The ARR is always an innovator and not afraid to look to the past for solutions to problems in the present. Matanuska Junction.
	A going away look at the tail end of the first mixed train to run on the ARR in over three decades as it slows for its pending station stop. Three SD70MACs lead a 2300 ft train consisting of 13 coaches (with 120 paying passengers), 7 COFC flats, and 10 loaded tank cars of diesel fuel. The ARR is exercising an FRA waiver to run mixed trains allowing it to consolidate some traffic and operate as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. The ARR is always an innovator and not afraid to look to the past for solutions to problems in the present. MP 158.9, Wasilla
	The first mixed train to run on the ARR in over three decades is highballing north at track speed as it leans into the curve a couple miles south of Montana siding. Three SD70MACs lead a 2300 ft train consisting of 13 coaches (with 120 paying passengers), 7 COFC flats, and 10 loaded tank cars of diesel fuel. The ARR is exercising an FRA waiver to run mixed trains allowing it to consolidate some traffic and operate as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. The ARR is always an innovator and not afraid to look to the past for solutions to problems in the present. Parks Hwy Crossing - MP 206.3, Montana
	In an historic first, due to changing traffic patterns the ARR has chosen to exercise its FRA waiver to run mixed trains consisting of revenue passenger and haz-mat freight traffic. On this Saturday morning the first one is being readied for departure. Three SD70MACs pull north across C Street to head out of town for the 356 mile journey to Fairbanks. Trailing the power are 13 coaches (inflated this day by charter equipment deadheading north) and 17 freight cars (7 COFC loads and 10 loads of diesel fuel) on Passenger track 1. The 120 passengers aboard this day are about to become a part of history as the past becomes prologue in Alaska! Beyond the train can be seen the icy blue waters of Cook Inlet and then the mighty peaks of the Alaska Range 80 miles distant. Anchorage
	In an historic first, due to changing traffic patterns the ARR has chosen to exercise its FRA waiver to run mixed trains consisting of revenue passenger and haz-mat freight traffic. On this Saturday morning the first one is being readied for departure. Three SD70MACs lead 13 coaches as they shove back to couple to 17 freight cars (7 COFC loads and 10 loads of diesel fuel). The 120 passengers aboard this day are about to become a part of history as the past becomes prologue in Alaska! Anchorage
	Getting ready to pull out of Passenger Track 1 at the Anchorage Depot
	Rear of train as built on Passenger Track 1 showing mixed passenger and freight consist.
	Coming into Wasilla passing under the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. bridge. Looking directly opposite the going away shot that you have as the third one down on your page.
	Crossing over Lily Creek Bridge at MP 182.5 in Nancy Lake.
	Crossing the Talkeetna Spur Rd at MP 225.7 with Mt. McKinley in background.
Note: the photographer is a railroad employee and was wearing all required personal protective equipment. The ARRC does not permit the general public on to their private property without permission.

Mixed train line-up:

Locomotives: 4324, 4326, 4318

Passenger cars: 208, 207, 523, 210, 209, 352, 300, 401, 100 (baggage), 301, 206, 205, 103 (baggage)

COFC/TOFC: 12992, 12907, 12902, 12001, 12941, 12960, 12905

Tank cars (ITLX): 225052, 225026, 225002, 224994, 224969, 225035, 224982, 225034, 224945, 225020

On 3/30/09 Robert Krol added, "The ARR ran a mixed train in the early 90's. Whittier ran out of fuel and the ARR tacked on 3 or 5 tank cars and 5 gondolas for spacers to the end of the Princess Cruise Train to Whittier. Don't have any photos though. When we were unloading the train a passenger asked me if the fuel was suppose to be on their train. I told him Whittier ran out of fuel and the ARR has the correct number of spacer cars to occupied cars."

On 4/14/09 Dave Kocher added, "I noticed the mixed passenger/freight train article added on March 30, and it has not been over three decades since we last did this. I was the station agent at Denali Park the summer of 1983. We still ran "regular" trains in those days; Numbers 1 and 2 were the express passenger trains, and Numbers 5 and 6 were the three round trip per week local trains that ran up to Fairbanks one day, and back to Anchorage the next. These local trains almost always had freight cars added, I believe they could handle up to 25 cars. Needless to say, they couldn't keep their schedule. It didn't affect Number 5 that much between Fairbanks and Denali Park, but Number 6 was routinely over an hour late (there was a scheduled crew change at Healy), which made it difficult to plan anything for the nights of its three runs per week. I think this continued until around 1985. I'm sure it was over when they quit running Numbers 5 and 6 to Fairbanks and ran the Hurricane Turn passenger train instead."