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ARRC Coastal Classic Train Page 4

Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic Train



By Richard Elgenson, RailNews Network
Page 4

June 27 to 30, 2004

The rerouted main line of the Alaska Railroad sweeps through an impressive curve in front of the stream outlet of Bartlett Glacier.  When the railroad was built, the glacier poured over this opening and thus caused the builders to conceive the 2 loop answer to their engineering problem.  Three percent gradient is steep for railroad equipment and one can only believe this route by experiencing it.

   

Further up the ex-mainline warps back into the present alignment.  Once into the "high country" we pass through beautiful valleys with waterfalls on one side and forests on both sides.

   

   

The area called Grandview has some interesting history including having had a roadhouse with the proprietor Nellie Neal who made her way to Alaska and running different facilities on the railroad in different locations, including the long gone place called Curry, which is north of Anchorage.  There is nothing man made left at Grandview other than the railroad track.  Grandview is a destination for winter ski trains for cross-country skiing.  The track hugs the west side of the valley opposite Trail Valley with views of Trail Glacier and Trail Creek.  Wildlife is present all through this area, even though you might not see any.  It does help to look outside and scan around consistently.

   

   

Hunter (not pictured) is the next named place on the railroad with an out of service wye and a radio antenna tower.

   

   

   

At Moose Pass along Upper Trail Lake, the road to Seward rejoins the railroad.  As we pass by Lower Trail Lake, one can see floatplanes parked on the water and occasionally one take off or land.  Pilot licenses and airplanes in Alaska are many as a percentage of population.  About one person in eighty has a pilot's license!

   

   

Page 5 Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic