New series about Alaska RR

John,

Thanks for the "heads up".  We've ridden the ARR a couple of times, once in the summer and once in January.  Great service and fantastic scenery.

Jim

Thanks for the info and link, I'll be watching.  I had the good fortune to ride nearly every mile of the ARR during the NRHS convention in September.  The ARR is comprised of terrific people who still know how to run a railroad!

I have been on the Alaska RR twice.  From Anchorage to Denali and Anchorage to Seward.  Great scenery and a well run and organized railroad.

John, Thank you for this info. It will be GREAT to see the Alask EE in action.

I don't get the Destination America channel, but perhaps the series will eventually be available on DVD.  I certainly rank as one of the major Alaska RR fans here, as many well know.

Just watched it after finding it by accident, as I didn't know about it. Looks cool to me. I set the dvr to tape the rest. Almost a fantasy looking train, going thru that terrain and snow. Great shots. Hard to believe people are up there in the remote areas. Looks like they're depending heavily on the RR.

Well, I don't get to watch the TV series, but I did order a jacket, coffee mug, and 2014 calendar from the Alaska RR gift shop over the weekend. 

I have been following the series. It is rough weather railroading to say the least. I love that it will stop at a piece of colored plastic tied to a tree limb to pick up passengers anywhere along the routes. Reminds me of the "Flag Stops along my hometown Atlantic and Yadkin Ry back during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

 

In one show an expectant mother out in the Alaskan boondocks was very focused on the train as transportation 30 miles through the winter weather to a hospital as her time neared.

 

Allan, you really picked a winner to model.

Its already aired three episodes. The show is very interesting for those into prototype railroading. One does not realize how important a railroad can be in certain areas. They run a good road there and are still operating with some old traditional operations like flag stops. I can tell you one thing, Alaska looks darned cold! Unfortunately, Destination America is not available on demand so if you miss an episode, your stuck.

 

Gandy

I have been watching this series; and I think it's very good...  there's a good mix of railroading scenes like keeping the tracks clear of ice and snow and snowmobilers, and the social aspects showing how the people there depend on the railroad..  watching some of the "off-gridders" trudge through the snow dodging moose, wolves and other wildlife has proven interesting to me...  The passenger train they depend on only runs once a week so if they miss it there's along wait for the next one!!  Some of the dramatic effects turn on the suspense of whether they'll make the train or not... 

 

I set the DVR to record the series and have not been disappointed in an episode, yet... 

Hi Jim. What channel and what night is it on in your area?

Chris, I have Comcast here in NH...  It's on Channel 739 (HD level) and first airs Saturday's at 1000PM...  Don't know where you would find it in MA...  I know the HD channels in MA are usually 100 higher; so if you have Comcast and HD try 839... otherwise use your guide...  I do not know if there's an SD (standard definition) version available...

 

If you're coming to the Open House on Saturday I am sure there are some members who could point you to it...

You can see previews and clips on their website. It's on Saturdays at 10/9C. Even if you're not into railroads, this is a great program to watch.

 

http://america.discovery.com/tv-shows/railroad-alaska

I think its horrible. Some beautiful shots but reality bs through and through.

There are three pages on this subject over on the Real Trains forum.

 

The Gandy Dancer said:

The show is very interesting for those into prototype railroading.

I'll pass.

 

Here's what I posted on the Real Trains forum thread:

 

I am now "3 and out" on this show. I've watched three episodes and can't watch any more. Too much hype ("If the train doesn't get through the world is going to end!!!!!") and too many obviously contrived situations. My "BS" meter has gone off the scale.

 

I'm all done with this one.

---

 

 

Just one man's opinion...

It's a TV show! All TV shows are scripted and lathered with drama. If you look past that, you'll see some beautiful railroading in some stunning country. I enjoy watching the operation, from main line running to maintenance of way issues. Would be even better if they occasionally ran some steam in those local flag stop runs. 

 

Gandy

If you're coming to the Open House on Saturday I am sure there are some members who could point you to it...

 

Thanks Jim. Based on some of the reviews I'm seeing I won't miss the open house for it but I'll record it and check it out just for giggles.  See you Saturday Jim.    Chris.

Well, it's pretty far-fetched to think a baby is going to freeze to death with a camera crew right there, but I don't think anyone can dispel the notion that it "could" happen in Alaska, with or without a train in the mix. When it comes to realism, all one has to do is watch Naked & Afraid to see what actually "does" happen even with a camera crew there.

AsI noted on the other thread, it's just another example of different strokes for different folks.

 

The Alaska Railroad is my favorite prototype road and I have the O gauge collection to back that up.  I haven't seen this series and really don't much care to based on what I've heard and read.  I have plenty of Alaska RR videos to support my interest, and one of these days plan to spend a decent amount of time up north so I can experience things for myself.  That's my approach to "reality."

Is it any worse than this?   Remember this guy?

 

"Extreme Trains" was, hands down, the worst railroad program I've ever seen.  My favorite was when the hyperactive host asked the NS helper engineer if he was "scared" taking the coal train down the mountain.  The engineer looked at him like he was from Mars...

LOL!     He got that look a lot if I recall.

Absolutely!  You should have seen the "views" that didn't make it when they did the UP Steam Crew on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special!  What an absolute joke, and an insult to all professional railroaders. As a result of that first disastrous season, not a single U.S. railroad would allow them on their property to shoot more "adventures". 

AMEN...X2

a thread on the Alaska railroad was started in real trains.

 

Alaska railroad