The Alaska Railroad

The Alaska Railroad is my "railroad-of-choice" in O gauge--along with the U.S. Army Transportation Corps--as my ever-growing collection of ARR motive power and rolling stock will easily attest (25 ARR locomotives and a whole lot of cars). 

It's popular with me because I am fascinated by the state; enjoy studying the history of that line; like the paint scheme; and because, up until recent years, not many manufacturers or modelers seemed to pay a whole lot of attention to the ARR.  That last justification has obviously changed, though, because there's a growing assortment of Alaska RR items being offered by MTH (especially) and Lionel, among some others. The vast majority of my own ARR motive power is MTH PS2/3 and Lionel Legacy/TMCC.

The ARR did not have any large steam power.  There's also very little O gauge steam offered in ARR livery.  MTH made an 0-6-0 some years ago and has a new PS3 0-6-0 listed in its new catalog.  Lionel offered an 0-4-0 with conventional control which I hope to upgrade to TMCC.  I believe MTH or Lionel also offered a Dockside in Alaska livery at one point, but I don't have that model.  I think that's about it to date.

The Alaska RR has and/or had an extensive motive power roster.

I hope this helps!  It's a fascinating railroad operating in an equally fascinating state.

I too am fascinated by the state of Alaska. I have never been there but I hope to one day visit there. I have been watching "Railroad Alaska" and I really like that series. I am building 2 Alaska cabooses now just to have on my layout. I am including a caboose repair and repainting company just to have an excuse to have many different cabs on my layout. I based it on a private rail car repair and repainting facility in Whynot, MS (yes, Whynot).

Malcolm

This one.

I just picked up a caboose by MTH at York for my youngest son Mark,(20), who is an Alaska RR fan. He has a small but growing collection.

Don

I have ridden most of the ARR.  It is one of the most breathtaking rides you will ever take.  A good ARR consist is on my list, I just have to wait a bit as my garden G scale (ET&WNC) is currently under construction.  I would encourage anyone to visit this fine state and hop an excursion.  You can get anywhere from Anchorage, but my favorite leg is the Anchorage to Denali segment.  W  O  W!

Just happens I guess !!!!!!!!!!!!

on a glass table top, next to the desk in the office !!!!!!!!!!!

Rmt/lionel !!

I am not quite sure what attracted me to the ARR. I began looking into it to keep a winter themed layout with the Polar Express. Now after many, many hours of interesting research and reading, I am an ARR fan. I think the allure of the scenery and the respect I have for the people that built and operate a railroad in such rugged conditions has me now.

You won't see any of their cars in service in the lower 48 because of geography. Almost forever, anything is transported from Seattle to Whittier (formerly Seward) via ship or barge. That includes all of their engines and cars.

My favorite resource is John's Alaska Railroad page. Everything is covered. You can click on Rosters to view former and current engines and cars. We tend to overlook the economic dependency on railroads in the lower 48, but nowhere is the survival of a region dependent upon a railroad more obvious than in Alaska.

Brother Love, here's the ARR 1072 with some info. here's engineering drawings

I am currently running a late 1980's train, with two GP38-2's, a mixed freight, and caboose 1087, all Lionel except for two RMT depressed center flatcars with a Bethlehem Steel storage tank load. I like depressed center flats.

Lionel finally updated the SD70MAC for Alaska RR to legacy, which is still the ARR's primary locomotive. They've also added the LionChief plus steamer (wrong road number). So, I think from Lionel, a reissue of the streamliner cars would be nice. Also, some older style flatcars would be good as they are still in use. Could make any load you like, as they do. Also, some intermodals with containers that have correct labeling would be good.They need to lose anything with the eskimo. That paint scheme was only used for months, before they were quickly repainted. I don't care for it. Can you tell?

I , too think the blue\yellow paint scheme is as striking as the UP's armor yellow.

Anyway, it's easy to go on and on for me, so I'll stop now. Enjoy John's page and check out their steamers(Roster\Former locos)

Moonman,

Thanks much for the info. I am thinking of painting a MTH SW1 in the old Alaska scheme.

Malcolm

I like this one;

The current Alaska paint scheme is very attractive. There are several photos online that show ARR SD70MACs in WA, MO, WI, and in IL.  Some are MUed with Union Pacific locomotives.  For some time I've been itching to add an ARR SD70 to my collection.

I lived in Alaska for over 16 years and traversed every mile of track on the ARR.  It is, in my opinion, the best railroad in the country today and the only railroad of its size owned and operated by a State government.  I also think the blue and yellow color scheme is an eye catcher along with the Eskimo symbol.  Alaska as a state is not only beautiful but a great place to live and raise children.  Alaska is a true "final frontier".

Steve, Lady and Tex

Those were photos of when they were being transported from Altoona EMD to Seattle for delivery to the ARR. ARR ordered 16 new SD70MAC's.Well detailed journey's by one of the contributors to John's ARR page. Some may be from refurb and repaints at Midwest shops, don't recall exactly where and then returned.

But, they were seen in the lower 48.

This is pretty simple stuff, they just look really cool. That blue and yellow combo does it for me. Also the TV series helps promote them. Just love "Animal" and "Donnie", they will get that revenue train through all kinds off bad stuff to make it in time. Then there are the off-griders. If you haven't caught a show, you need to watch one.

My Alaska Denali Hi-Level passenger set is one of my favorites. It is always on a main line.