Big Engine - Little People! - Ok, before everyone freaks out about this shot this is basically the one time a year this is acceptable. 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 that visitors could walk through and investigate, a locomotive open for visitors to climb up in the cab and get a look around, another locomotive positioned right for the sun to pose in front for photos (what you see here), the Air Force Band of the Pacific, free hot dogs and drinks, ARR balloons and other give aways, and best of all, free two mile train rides! 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...
Behind the locomotive can be seen the ARR's corporate headquarters building.
I think it's interesting to note just how tall the 136 lb mainline CWR is when you see the effort it takes the little man to navigate his way over it!