Time to Show Off! - Every spring the ARR hosts a lavish open house in both Anchorage and Fairbanks to show off the railroad. This year Anchorage's featured equipment displays both freight and passenger (seen on the left) that visitors could walk through and investigate, a locomotive open for visitors to climb up in the cab and get a look around (seen in the middle with the blue stairs leading up to it), another locomotive positioned right for the sun to pose in front for photos, the Air Force Band of the Pacific, free hot dogs and drinks, ARR balloons (note one fluttering toward the heavens) and other give aways, and best of all, free two mile train rides (seen to the right) in ARR's low level glass topped cars! What a way to show off in the grand old tradition. If you've never seen the Alaska Railroad you owe it to yourself to take a look. It's truly a throwback to the grand era of railroading when pride still mattered...
To the left rear can be seen the ARR's corporate headquarters building and rising on the horizon are the snow capped peaks of the Chugach Range. Front and center looking dapper and ready to pose for hundreds of photos is the conductor of the train ride special, ARR veteran Leon Butler.
Trains don't run themselves--they're ultimately run by people. This album showcases the hardworking folks that make railroads work, as well as emphasizing the size of these great machines in comparison to their masters. All photos must include a visible h
