The Loop District - Really, where else but Alaska can you get a view like this on a train? The ARR's sole Colorado Railcar built DMU poses in the middle of the famed Grandview loop, arguably the most scenic point on the entire ARR mainline....which is saying quite a lot on this railroad of endless superlatives! Here in the apex of twin 14 degree reverse curves in the midst of a 3% ruling grade the railroad comes within less than 300 yards from the face of Bartlett Glacier, named in 1907 by Alaska Central Railroad (ARR predecessor) civil engineer Frank Bartlett. I probably should have titled this photo "Can you believe I get paid to do this!?" On Thursday the 29th the US Forest Service needed to take a dozen people in to inspect their construction sites at Spencer and Grandview where they are building a series of "whistle stops" and trails only accessible by rail. Since I hadn't been in there in a while I was real interested to see the progress as this is a real exciting project that should draw a lot more people to the railroad. Also, I talked to the ARR's head of passenger marketing about posing the DMU for some promotional shots for future railroad PR use since we weren't on a schedule and there were no conflicting train movements. All in all a great day out on the railroad visiting with employees, our Forest Service partners, and enjoying the stunning fall scenery. . If you would like to learn more about the Chugach National Forest's Whistle Stop project in conjunction with the ARR please click on this LINK. Note: the photographer is a railroad employee with permission to be on the property and was wearing all required PPE while taking this photograph.
