Pete,
For Rupert's benefit, the Alaska RR, today, is a main
line standard gauge railroad and is not located anywhere
near the 3' narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon which
operates out of Skagway, AS in the southern peninsula of
the state. The Alaska RR operates SD70MAC locomotives
among others and is based out of Anchorage, AS. At one
time, the Alaska RR was also 3' narrow gauge, but was
converted to standard gauge in the late 1920's or '30s. An
Alaska RR narrow gauge 10 wheeler steam locomotive
operates on the Huckleberry tourist RR in Flint, MI
Both RRs in Alaska are totally isolated from any other
railroad. Their only connections to the outside world are
seaports and highways. The Alaska RR operates within the
state while the WP&Y operates into Canada. The
WP&Y operates with a fleet of diesels and two steam
locomotives. They haul freight and, in the summer, large
loads of tourists that mostly arrive via cruise ships
sometimes with 3 or 4 in the very small port at one time.
The Alaska RR hauls freight and some cruise ship and
individual tourists and has a fleet of modern diesels.
They have recently received a WWII vintage steam
locomotive that once ran on the RR and plan to return it
to service. Both RRs have good websites that are worth a
visit if you are interested. I agree with others
concerning the spectacular scenery on the WP&Y. It
easily rivals anything in the U.S. lower 48 states. It
would be a more popular railfan destination if it weren't
for the great difficulty in getting there. The only ways
in are a really long car trip, cruise ship or other boats
and small planes. Most of the towns along the southern
peninsula are the same way. In fact, you can't get to the
state capital, Juneau, by car even from the main part of
the state!
Bill Barber
Gravois Mills, MO
Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:42 pm (PDT)
W. S. Johnston who was TM here in Lincoln when I
hired out in 1956 was GM of the ALASKA RAILROAD
for awhile in the 1960's.
Pete