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Steam in Alaska

Discussion in 'International Heritage Railways/Tramways' started by ADB968008, Jan 7, 2012.

  1. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    The Alaska Railroad has acquired a former locomotive which used to run for the same company many years ago.
    As part of the loan deal the ARR are to restore it to use.

    The engine arrived in Seward and is being moved to Anchorage for restoration.

    This is an amazing part of the world, and despite its remoteness is easy and cheap to get to... So the thought of seeing wild animals from your carriage whilst being pulled by steam in this region will become a possibility.

    The passenger stock of the railway is relatively appropriate for steam... Most of it is very old, some freight still uses cabooses, though everything is in the states more modern colours (blue and yellow), it's still a site to see.... I personally rate my ride from Fairbanks to Anchorage in February snow, as one of the best railway experiences I ever had..

    http://articles.ktuu.com/2012-01-05/locomotive_30595602
     
    ADB968008, Jan 7, 2012
    #1
  2. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Martin Perry, Jan 7, 2012
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  3. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    ADB968008, Jan 7, 2012
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  4. athelney

    athelney Member

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    This one missed the radar all together -- normally hear about a steam move in this part of the world - even if it s on a barge . Good to see some things happening
     
    athelney, Jan 8, 2012
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  5. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    aye by all accounts literally sailed right past you, if your in BC.

    Cant wait to hear an S160 whistle in Denali park !
     
    ADB968008, Jan 8, 2012
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  6. athelney

    athelney Member

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    Yes that's what it did - sailed right past the back door Seattle -Alaska -I live in BC, so it went up the coast past us . oh well , soon be an excuse for an Alaska cruise ....
     
    athelney, Jan 9, 2012
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  7. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Be interesting to see an original S160 without any foreign mods - but wonder if it has any Chinese-style mods for running in sub-zero climates though?
     
    Sheff, Jan 9, 2012
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  8. p/wayman

    p/wayman Member

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    It's great to see another S160 about to be restored.It must be the biggest class of locomotive preserved yet there are not alot of them actually running. Someone was quoted that they hope it will be ready in 2013 I think this is a bit ambitious but good luck to them.
     
    p/wayman, Jan 9, 2012
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  9. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    Not necessarily... Boiler lifts are not compulsory.. Neither are many other things, though I agree 2013 is optimistic, however I will make an effort to see it, then stop off in Vancouver.
     
    ADB968008, Jan 9, 2012
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  10. p/wayman

    p/wayman Member

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    Has it been restored since it was purchased from the scrapyard in the 60s? If not then I would have thought a complete strip down might be required, although it seems to look good cosmeticly.
     
    p/wayman, Jan 9, 2012
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  11. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    Believe it ran in the 1980s.

    According to this article, the overhaul will cost between $200k and $500k.. (£130-£300k).
    There planning a 40 mile excursion with it.

    Here's a statement from a familiar name in both Europe and America for locomotive overhauls.. (John Rimmasch)..

     
    ADB968008, Jan 9, 2012
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  12. odc

    odc Member

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    This loco is not to the original S160 spec. Though built new as is. It has a (much larger) cross compound air pump mounted on the front of the frame instead of the smokebox and an air powered reverser. Not sure about the cab. The locos were originally built with pole reverser! I think the loco closet to how they were in the War is Big Jim on the K&WVR, though she has been altered to have a manual screw reverser. Not sure how the new engine on the CVR will turn out, but that may be close also. Also the chime whistles we like them for were not originally fitted to them either.
     
    odc, Jan 9, 2012
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