Jeff;<br><br>The Caribou Creek was sold for scrap
in the mid seventies after the Glacier Pass was
acquired. It found its way to Purdy Scrap Metals in
Chehalis, WA where it sat for several years. The interior
went bad during this time period as the doors were
left open and the windows didn't last very long.
Washington's moist climate pretty much did the
rest.<br><br>When the Mt. Rainier Scenic was first getting started
the car was purchased by then manager Terry Ferguson.
The remains of the interior were then removed and the
car made in to a full observation car.<br><br>The
renamed Caribou Creek, Deschutes River, is a nice riding
car. Give it a try if you ever get the
chance.<br><br>An interesting side light to the history of the
Caribou Creek involves its appearance. When the ARR was
discussing the car's design with International Car during
the rebuilding from a Bureau of Mines "safety car"
there was some discussion of having the end of the car
look like the all glass end of the Milwaukee Road's
"Skytop" observation cars rather the open platform which
it eventually came with. The discussion went far
enough that drawings were prepared.<br><br>John
Henderson

tie gang working on elmendorf section.good chance for some pics. working their
way south to the yard

Bob Harbison (brakeman.bob@...) at
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (Caribou Creek's current
home) might be able to help. He says, "It's been
heavily modified since we didn't have much use for a
tired PV. It's now an obs car. You'll find a photo
at:<br><br><a
href=http://www0.delphi.com/railroad/library/topic6_pre/pre_img_04/pre_img_04.ht\
ml
target=new>http://www0.delphi.com/railroad/library/topic6_pre/pre_img_04/pre_img\
_04.html</a><br><br>Hope this helps.<br><br>John

I was also interested to hear what the ARR
planned to do with the Fun Train cars (especially the
former gallery cars), but when I first heard of the
sale, I thought the single level cars with their
wrap-around windows would be great on the Seward
train.<br><br>Are there any plans to reconfigure some or all of the
former gallery cars? It seems that watching a film or
dancing in the theater/dance car would counter the very
reason for riding the Seward run.

Hi All,<br><br>Can anyone fill the list in on the Caribou Creek's history and
how it came to be in Washington? Thanks.<br><br>Jeff Childs

The word around here is the Fun Train will be
kept together and after repainting will be put into
service between Anchorage and Seward. I'll try to find
out where the paint work is being done and when the
expected delivery date is.<br><br>Jeff Childs

All;<br><br>The following is from Dave Rygmyr on
August 25 regarding the RAILS NORTH revised
book.<br><br><br>By the way, we just got bluelines for the Alaska
book today and expect to have bound books for the
show. I think you'll like it!<br><br>--Dave<br><br>I
assume the show Dave is talking about would be the
narrow gauge meet in Portland next month.<br><br>John
Henderson

Hi friends!<br><br>Walthers is coming out with an
Alaska RR Alco/Leslie rotary snowplow in Jan. 2000. The
price is $49.98, but Model Train Works will sell them
for $37.50.<br><br>Model Train Works <br>2934
Cedarhurst Road <br>Finksburg, Md. 21048 <br>Toll free
1-800-852-2441 <br>Fax 410-526-5310

Casey,<br><br>I'll have to check my photos when I get home, but I believe my
shot of the car taken in 1980 shows it to already by lettered
Denali.<br><br>Curt Fortenberry

Ok here it is, the history of the Denali/A-3. The
info is credited to myself Casey Durand, compiled from
The Great Northeren Historical Society, 1975-76 BN
Motive Power annual, and Mr. Don A.
Marenzi.<br><br>Built by Pullman in June 1930 as a 14-section sleeper,
named Archibald Guthrie and put into lease service.
Then in April of 1939 it was re-built as a 6-section,
6-double bedroom sleeper named Archibald Guthrie. It was
then purchased by GN in December 1948 as GN
1011-Archibald Guthrie. Then rebuilt again in October of 1957 as
businedd car A30. Renumbered A3 in 1969, then assigned BN
number A3 in March 1970. It was then sold to the ARR on
December 10, 1971 as the Glacier Pass. Then after takeover
the ARRC removed the secretary's office and renamed
it the Denali.<br><br>weight 197,100 lbs. length
over frame 81'-3 1/2". over buffers 87'-3 3/8". width
over frame 9'-10". over crown molding 10"-0". truck
centers 62"-6". truck wheelbase 10'-6".

For those interested, Kalmbach publishings book
on Pullman painting and lettering has a page on the
ARR pullmans, plus the actual color patches are a
real treat. The book is an excellent reference for
Pullman cars, not just ARR.<br><br>Curt Fortenberry

The ARRC business car Denali(formally A-3) went
south on last saturdays barge. It is inroute to LRC in
Livenston MT. for FRA saftey glass and other work. While
she is down south the LRC loner car Big Sky is up. It
is three years older and right now I am not shure of
it's past history.<br><br>As soon as I get a digital
shot of the Big Sky I will post it here. As soon as I
get home tonight I will post the complete history of
the Denali car.<br><br>Casey L. Durand<br>Anchorage
Sub. M.P. 133.3

Curt;<br><br>The book is due out in September
according to Dave Rygmyr of Osorail Publications. It has a
new title befitting it's largely rewritten status but
I forget what the new title is and it doesn't show
yet on the Osorail web page. Alaska is in the title
so it should be pretty obvious which book it is when
you see an Osorail list of books.<br><br>Steve Hauff
did much of the work on the new book. I have seen the
revised WP&Y and ARR locomotive rosters but not gone over
them in fine detail. They look good, far better than
what was in RAILS NORTH which were largely my work
lifted from the pages of THE MOOSE GOOSER publication of
the Alaska-Yukon Chapter of the NRHS.<br><br>John
Henderson

Osorail Publications has picked up the old Rails
North book and is working to reissue the book sometime
in the next year. The book is a general account of
many of Alaska's railroads. The book is being updated
and corrections made to the original text. Originally
issued about 1983, it's been out of print for some
time.<br><br>Curt Fortenberry

Not to my knowledge. It would be kinda a bust
because of the time between trains. Right now the most
busy part of the railroad is between Anchorage and
Palmer Jct. About 40 miles. If you stood at one place
for 24 hours you would see nine trains and maybe the
section gang a dozen times as they clear the line. In the
winter time traffic is almost not there. On weekdays
three to four trains and on Saturdays maybe five.
<br><br>Anyways we don't relly have the traffic for a GOOD cam.

I have just assumed the newly created position of
editor of Alaska railroad news for FLIMSIES NORTHWEST!,
a monthly railfan news magazine published by the
Shasta Rail Group. Coverage will be primarily the Alaska
Railroad and the White Pass & Yukon but industrial
operations such as the U. S. Air Force at Clear and Eielson
will also be included.<br><br>News contributions are
most welcome and may be posted with this club or sent
to me at my hone Email address of
alaskarr152@... if you wish. All contributors will be credited
but if you wish to remain anonymous I will honor your
request. <br><br>Please note that I will do my editorial
best to include only "news" in the column and will not
intentionally include speculation,rumors or comments that might
be considered libelous.<br><br>FLIMSIES NORTHWEST!
welcomes the contribution of feature articles and
photographs on all topics about current railroad operations
in the Northwest. Presently our use of photographs
is limited to the cover and infrequent other uses
but the publisher hopes to be changing this soon and
including more photographs.<br><br>Thanks.<br><br>John
Henderson<br>Industrial Railroad editor<br>Alaska news editor<br>FLIMSIES
NORTHWEST!

Thanks for the welcome. Has anyone considered putting a webcam somewhere on the
Alaska Railroad?

Well hello there. I am glad you found the group
and have joined. I look forward to talking with you
and shareing our info about the ARR with each other.
If you ever need anything just drop me a rail.

I just joined the group. I lived in Alaska from 1982-1987 and have been back
several times. I currently model in N Scale. Look forward to this group.

Gray,<br><br>Welcome to the group. I don't know
that the ARR has firm plans for the fun train cars.
They might keep them together since they don't really
go along with the other conventional equipment, but
who knows. They were supposed to arrive in state last
week, but I haven't heard yet. They'll need to be
repainted and probably some other refurbishment before
they'll be operated.<br><br>Curt.

The fun train will most likely be rebuilt and split between the two Anch. to
Fair. trains.  Or it will be rebuilt and used for the Seward train.  As soon as
I know I will post it on this list

Since the ARR's purchase of the florida fun
train, what does that do to the former Anchorage -
Fairbanks service? I guess what I'm trying to ask is what
will happen the conventional ARR equipment in service
on the Anchorage Fairbanks route and how will non
tourists be handled.<br><br>Gray Lackey

Just joined the club and am looking forward to staying up on the ARR.  Was in
Alaska in 95 and have tried to keep up on the news since.<br><br>Gray Lackey  
Burlington, NC

Athearn has announced an Alaska RR GP40-2 for
release this fall. This is part of their new "revised"
GP40-2 with the latter style grilles. See
www.athearn.com, or www.walthers.com. Knowing the backlog at
Athearn, I wonder when it really will come
out.<br><br>Curt.

Curt;<br><br>Thanks for the information on Big
Sky. Just to let you know the former Alaska Railroad
"Caribou Creek" is still rolling down the tracks for the
Mt. Rainier Scenic RR here in the State of
Washington.<br><br>John Henderson

Big Sky, a passenger car owned by LRC, is being
loaned to the ARR while their business car Denali is
rebuilt (it currently does not have FRA glazing). Big Sky
was original built in 1926 for the 20th Century Ltd,
and is about 4 years older than the
Denali.<br><br>Curt.

John,<br><br>Off to the left side is a links button, I already had you there
too, certainly wouldn't leave you out of the loop.<br><br>Curt.

I've gotta put in a plug for my web site.  Come visit John's (Unofficial) Alaska
Railroad site at <a href=http://www.infinet.com/~combs/arr/arr.html
target=new>http://www.infinet.com/~combs/arr/arr.html</a><br><br>Enjoy!<br><br>J\
ohn

Welcome to the site for "unofficial" interest in the Alaska Railroad.  This site
if for historians, photographers, and modelers who have an interest in various
aspects of the ARR.<br><br>Curt.

Welcome, This is the Yahoo! Message Board for ARRrailfans community.