Alaskan #557

[Lisa89125]

Just an interesting project going on up in the far north.

They post their monthly progress reports and are making good progress. I wish I lived in Alaska. I want to take a ride when it's in steam.

Lisa


<Link removed Admin>

[Kylo]

I've always wanted to go to Alaska.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Aceofblackdiamonds    cc: @Kylo
Dear Lisa:
Here is the LINK that you had mentioned... very interesting for sure.
                 http://www.557.alaskarails.org/restore/index.html           
Thank you for finding it.

... and Kylo, yes, Alaska is a wonderful place for sure.  It is a big state so there is lots of variety in scenery and sights to see... but if you visit in the winter time, bring lots of warm clothes.

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

[Devlyn]

Nice rig!

[Lisa89125]

I offer my apology for breaking TOS again.

The interesting thing is how many depend on the Alaska RR for their survival out in the bush. If something should render the diesel electric trains inoperable the old 557 could still run a limited schedule. Assuming a way to provide fuel and water was available. Steam engines don't require any of today's computers to operate.

Lisa

[Northern Star Girl]

I offer my apology for breaking TOS again.

The interesting thing is how many depend on the Alaska RR for their survival out in the bush. If something should render the diesel electric trains inoperable the old 557 could still run a limited schedule. Assuming a way to provide fuel and water was available. Steam engines don't require any of today's computers to operate.

Lisa

@Aceofblackdiamonds
Dear Lisa:
No problem ...  the TOS rules are there for very good reasons... it is always a good idea to re-read the important and informative LINKS that we provide on our Welcome Messages.

The link to the article that you found and posted is a very nice synopsis regarding railroading in Alaska, and the steam era certainly helped settle Alaska.
After the very recent November 30th earthquake centered near Anchorage, the Alaskan Railroad tracks were damaged and impassable, see the  Alaskan Daily News  newspaper LINK below that includes some photos of the damage, that I had posted along with other information on my thread.
 
Start reading on my thread on the day that I made many posts about it on November 30th.
"I am the HUNTED PREY : Danielle's Chronicles"
Please feel free to post any questions that I could possibly answer.
Hugs,
Danielle

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2018/12/01/alaska-railroad-reports-impassable-sections-of-track-north-of-anchorage-after-earthquake/


Alaska Daily News  Dec 01, 2018
Alaska Railroad reports impassable track north of Anchorage after earthquake

Author: Devin Kelly
Updated: 27 minutes ago calendar Published 1 hour ago

Damage from Friday's 7.0 earthquake in Southcentral Alaska has rendered parts of the Alaska Railroad system north of Anchorage "impassable," indefinitely shutting down train service between Anchorage and Fairbanks, an official said Saturday.

Tim Sullivan, an Alaska Railroad spokesman, said in a statement that the railroad had identified at least three areas to the north damaged by ground shifting, cracking or sloughing.

At one spot near Nancy Lakes, in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, crews reported cracks 2 and 4 feet wide and between 100 and 150 feet long on each side of the tracks, Sullivan said.

[Northern Star Girl]

According to ARR reports 4 days later the railroad was reopened. Not bad timing on repairing the line.

Lisa

@Aceofblackdiamonds
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Many of the severely damaged roads were repaired very quickly, either same day or withing a few days like with the railroad lines.    Most of the damaged roads and tracks were the ones heading north from Alaska's largest city Anchorage...  those are the important routes that just about all the freight and supplies go to Fairbanks and the interior of Alaska.   
Danielle

[Lisa89125]

Hmm, I'm not sure what happened to my post between your two Danielle? Sometimes I post something that just vanishes. 

Alaska would benefit if the 1300 miles of missing rail could be built connecting Alaska to the rest of the North American rail system. Having the steel highway completed might alleviate some of the high costs of living in Alaska. Freight trains of 100 cars could traverse the missing section delivering goods faster and cheaper than the rail barge which is slower and limited in capacity.

I love Alaska and hope to visit someday.

Lisa