Alaska Live Steamers

This forum is dedicated to Riding Scale Railroading with propulsion using other than steam (Hydraulics, diesel engines, gas engines, electric motors, hybrid etc.)

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Dick_Morris
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Location: Anchorage, AK

Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Dick_Morris »

A few photos to show how we do it in Alaska.
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Depot and loading area
Depot and loading area
Round house
Round house
A section of track with rail side industry
A section of track with rail side industry
Gravel pit and site of tunnel
Gravel pit and site of tunnel
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Dick_Morris »

Rolling Stock.
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Dick_Morris »

Residences near the track. A Howe truss bridge I built about 25 years ago.

We started operating on this site five or six years ago after about 20 years on the previous site. It is very much a work in progress.

A substantial part of the site is designated wetlands. On that portion we are permitted to place foot paths on a certain percentage of the land. The foot paths happen to have railroad tracks on them.

In addition to the long winters and snow we have some unique challenges. The entire perimeter isn't fenced and the occasional moose pays a visit. I was told that recently one spent some time butting one of our water towers that I didn't get a photo of.
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NP317
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by NP317 »

Dick:
Thanks for sharing.
I've traced your facility on Google Earth, but your pictures are far more entertaining.
Fun to see.
~RN
Glenn Brooks
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Dick, how much mainline will your club have, once fully built out? I always enjoyed visiting your old track at the Museum in Wasallia.

Glenn
Moderator - Grand Scale Forum

Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Dick_Morris »

7,000 feet now, 1,100 feet more next year. The total track plan is for nearly four miles.
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Dick_Morris »

I noticed that a new video has been posted showing the Alaska Live Steamers' track - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9m6u63 ... %27sAlaska

Between pandemics, being a caregiver for my wife, and doing the admin work for the Alaska Railroad 557 restoration I don't have a lot of time to make the 100 mile round trip to get out there very often. But that's OK because I get more enjoyment working in the shop than I do operating.

However, I did pay a visit and caught the last train of the day last weekend. There were about 15 passengers being pulled by two diesels on front and a helper in the rear for some of the grades, including one at 3 percent. There is over 30 feet of elevation difference from the lowest to highest points and I was told that there are now three miles of track.

Just about every train passes over the little wooden Howe pony truss bridge at 10:45 that I built 30 years ago for the previous track site.
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gwerhart0800
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by gwerhart0800 »

My youngest son & wife moved to Anchorage last year. We have not been up to visit yet and our current plans are to visit over Christmas. I hope to get there some time during the summer months down the road. I did not see a track plan on the Alaska Central web site. Do you have one to share?
George Erhart
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Alaska Live Steamers

Post by Dick_Morris »

track plan
Sorry, I haven't been very involved and don't have a track plan.

When you visit you should put the Alaska Railroad 557 Engine House on the itinerary. If coming from Anchorage you will pass the Engine House about 1.5 miles before you get to the Alaska Central. The Alaska Central will be shut down during the winter, but we work on 557 four days per week, year-round.
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