Western Railroad Discussion > Alaska Railroad Part Two

I have attached a few more images from Alaska

1. Rear DPUs at Girdwood, AK

2. Loaded coal train at Moose Pass, AK

3. Work train at Wasilla, AK

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Spectacular. Excellent photos.

Wow...just wow! More good stuff FK.

Very nice shots. Looks like still jointed rail everywhere, under those big motors ?? === === = === JLH

Alaska rr have any SD70ACes?

Stunning images!

electromac Wrote:
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> Alaska rr have any SD70ACes?


I think their last new loco order were the 70Mac,s ,but dont quote me on that.
Regards,DK

electromac Wrote:
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> Alaska rr have any SD70ACes?

No...

Original order was for 16 SD70MAC's which were numbered 4001-4016. These were 4000 hp units with regular flat radiators.

Next order was for 8 SD70MAC's which were numbered 4317-4324. These were 4300 hp units with flared radiators and have a HEP system using a inverter that takes power normally sent to the rear truck to power the HEP system.

The last order was for 4 SD70MAC's which were numbered 4325-4328. These were purchased with grant money from the US Department of Defense (allowing ARR to better haul military unit trains), same specs as the second order.

My understanding is that Alaska is somehow exempt from the Tiers engine emissions requirements, which is why the last orders were MAC's and not ACE's.

highgreengraphics Wrote:
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> Very nice shots. Looks like still jointed rail
> everywhere, under those big motors ?? === === =
> === JLH

The Alaska Railroad mainline is mostly 115 pound jointed rail on timber crossties. However, recently, the railroad has installed 115 pound welded rail on concrete crossties on busier segments and expanded capacity (new sidings, relocations, etc). Also until the early 2000's, the railroad was entirely operated via Track Warrant Control. The busy Wasilla-Anchorage corridor now has Centralized Traffic Control along with CTC islands at some passing sidings and at the junction with the branch to Whittier. The remaining sections converted to Direct Train Control around 2005.

Never get tired of viewing Alaska Railroad photos. Thanks for posting.

How did you manage the last two old schemes? Great stuff as usual.

Absolutely beautiful work. The first two are stunning, but I like the last one with the two old paint GP40's, and as SD45X pointed out, the last two on the sytem. I was impressed with the state, the people, the scenery and the ARR when I was there this past July.

KC

Thanks for the kind words. There is CTC from S. Anchorage to Pittman and then again at the Hurricane siding. There is also an island at the junction to the Whittier branch which just opened this last fall. Lastly there are three original paint units left on the roster 3001-3003-3006.

Frank

mtgteam2 Wrote:
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Lastly there are three original
> paint units left on the roster 3001-3003-3006.
>
> Frank


I like that paint scheme the best. Nice photos!

SantaFeRuss