Denali Star and Hurricane Turn Train,
July 29, 2007. I got to the
depot armed with a national brand coffee, badly needed after making the
west coast journey from California to Alaska the preceding night. After
getting my
ticket, I was assigned to the "B" car near the front of the
train. This train was about 20 cars in length with 2 SD-70 MAC
engines. We departed ON TIME and after passing by the Anchorage
freight yard, attained maximum speed of 59 miles per hour very
quickly. This Sunday promised very nice weather. The days
agenda was to catch the Denali Star train in
Anchorage, then change trains in Talkeetna to the Hurricane Turn
Flagstop train.
In Anchorage, before the Denali Star train departed, I
happened to notice a railroad employee talking with a Denali Star tour
guide. He identified himself as the conductor of the Hurricane
Turn train. Being aware of the two station locations being
separated by less than a mile, I became excited and said "I am on your
flagstop train today." I innocently asked "how easy is it to get
from the Talkeetna station to the Hurricane section house?" He
was very nice and replied "I can give you a ride there" which
reduced my stress level to almost zero.
The Denali Star portion
of the days train riding was punctuated by warm, pleasant sunny
weather, nice people aboard and a smooth ride. In the last 10
years, the Alaska Railroad has upgraded their infrastructure and
physical plant immensely. The track from Anchorage to Eagle River
was straightened with continuous welded rail installed. The ride
is smooth without the clickety-clack sound of the past. Most of
the rest of the line from Anchorage to Hurricane has also been
similiarly upgraded. I also noticed many miles of concrete
ties.
At Wasilla, Brakeman Leo Thurmond entered the forward dome
where I had been sitting and asked if anyone present was interested in
birds. Although no one replied "yes" he said there was an osprey
nest to be seen just after the Wasilla depot. After we started
moving again, I found an open vestibule and watched and waited for this
nest. It was on a pole of a utility line. Osprey make large
nests with lots of twigs and branches.
Soon after this, the gift
shop employees came through the train for the Alaska Railroad fashion
show. The tour guides dress up in ARR shirts, hats and show off
other gift items in an effort to encourage you to visit the on board
gift shop.
One main
concern while making the Hurricane Turn train ride would be visiblity
of the 20,320 foot tall Denali, the "high one" to native Americans, or
in white man speak, Mt.
McKinley. Finally on a long tangent stetch of track, Denali was
visible with
clouds building. Later, it was socked in
by clouds. It is visible in both photographs below. On a
clear dayDenali is visible from Anchorage, 170 miles away. This
mountain rises 18,000 feet above the surrounding 2,000 foot high hills.
