Alaska Railroad 1 Denali

Notes:

Alaska Railroad business car "Denali" was acquired by the railroad in 1972 from the Great Northern Railroad. Originally built as a 14-section sleeper and named Archibald Guthrie, the 1930 Pullman product found its way into business car service in 1957 after a rebuild by GN added the back porch and an additional nine feet of length. The car served the GN as its A-30 "Glacier Pass" until the BN merger in 1970, when it was renumbered A-3. In 1972, the car came to the Alaska Railroad and got its name, "Denali". It served mainly as an entertainment car until it was replaced by CRM single level dome ARR 2000 "Aurora" in 2000. The car was retired and offered for sale in 2002.

But that wasn't the end of the story for Denali. In 2005, the car was shipped to Colorado Railcar, where it was stripped and completely refurbished inside and out to serve as a backup to the Aurora. The car was completed in November of 2006 and made the journey back to Alaska behind Amtrak's California Zephyr and Coast Starlight trains.

Enjoy the photos. I also invite you to click here for a more comprehensive history of this car.

Photos:

A "before" shot of the Denali shortly after being unloaded off of the Alaska Railroad barge on Harbor Island in Seattle, WA. April, 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

A peek at Denali's very 70's interior before rennovation. Seattle, WA. April, 2006. Click to enlarge.

The process began by stripping the car completely. January, 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Here's the "after" version, looking the same way in the car after refurb. The end closest to the platform is set up for lounge-type seating. Taken in Fort Lupton. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

The new seats in Denali are comfortable and elegant. Fort Lupton. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

There's a substantial dining table near the center of Denali, with seats for 20. Fort Lupton. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali's lavatory has not only the typical sink and toilet, but a very inviting shower as well. Fort Lupton. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali's lavatory features one of my favorite sink faucets that I've seen applied to a CRM car. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali's single stateroom has a generous queen size bed that drops down from the wall, and a couch for day use. Fort Lupton. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali includes a stainless steel galley that is just the right size for serving meals on the car. This view in Fort Lupton shows about half of it. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali poses for a night shot on the eve of its departure from Fort Lupton. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

A UP local pulls to a stop alongside Colorado Railcar to start Denali on its way back to Alaska. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali heads toward Union Station after sunset. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Mike McGowen caught the 2000 at Colorado Railcar before heading north. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Sunset on Alaska Railroad business car Denali at Denver Union Station. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali poses for a night shot at Denver Union Station on the eve of its departure from Colorado behind Amtrak's California Zephyr. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

Denali on Amtrak's California Zephyr rolling through Beyers Canyon in Colorado. Nov., 2006. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge.

For corrections, questions or to contribute photos, please e-mail me at: potb101@aim.com. Thanks!