HISTORY
Alaska Central Railway built the first railroad in Alaska starting in Seward and extending 50 miles north.
Alaska Central Railway went bankrupt in 1907 and reorganized as the Alaska Northern Railway Co. in 1910 extending the railroad to Kern Creek - 71 miles from Seward.
The US Congress agrees to fund construction and operation of a railroad from Seward to Fairbanks. Estimated construction cost - $35 million.
Anchorage is created as a railroad construction town along Ship Creek where the railroad moves its headquarters from Seward.
Railroad construction crews peak at 4,500 workers. The Tanana Valley Railroad, a 45-mile narrow-gauge line into Fairbanks from the Chatanika mining area to the northwest, was purchased, principally to obtain its Fairbanks terminal facilities.
President Warren G. Harding travels to Alaska to mark the completion of the Alaska Railroad by driving the golden spike in ceremonies at Nenana, one of the state's largest cities at the time. President Harding died from an attack of food poisoning on his return trip to San Francisco on August 2, 1923.
A combined population of 5,400 people in Seward, Anchorage and Fairbanks, the three towns of any size along the railbelt, is unable to generate enough business to make the railroad profitable.
Under the management of Col. Otto F. Ohlson, the Alaska Railroad operates its first profitable year.
World War II brings large profits from hauling military and civilian supplies and materials.
Two tunnels are built through the Chugach Mountains to allow rail access to Whittier, a military port and fuel depot necessary to support the war effort. A new Anchorage passenger depot is competed in December.
Whittier opens as a second railroad port. Diesel locomotives begin to replace steam engines, a process completed in 1966 when the last steam engine was sold.
Congress approves $100 million rehabilitation program.
The inaugural run of the Aurora, a blue and gold steamliner, marks upgraded passenger service between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Competition from roads forces Seward passenger service to be discontinued. Extensive track rehabilitation completed.
First car-barge service established as Whittier, followed by train-ship service in June 1964. These services enable rail cars from any rail point in the Lower 48 to be shipped to any point along the Alaska Railroad.
President John F. Kennedy signs executive order making the Alaska Railroad tariff rates subject to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Railroad damage from the earthquake estimated at $30 million. Freight service from Anchorage to Fairbanks is restored April 6, passenger service is back on line April 11, and freight service to Whittier resumes April 20.
Control of the Alaska Railroad passes from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Transportation.
President Ronald Reagan signs into law legislation authorizing transfer of the Alaska Railroad to the State of Alaska.
Dedication of a new rail barge doubles the Canadian National Aqua-Train rail capacity to Alaska from Prince Rupert, B.C. The new barge carries 56 cars per trip.
Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole and Governor Bill Sheffield sign a report detailing the Alaska Railroad's property, assets and liabilities to be transferred to the state.
The U. S. Railway Association sets the fair market value of the Alaska Railroad at $22.3 million.
Alaska legislature authorizes Governor Bill Sheffield to negotiate with the federal government for the Railroad's transfer to the state. Tour Alaska attaches the first three private dome railcars to the Anchorage/Fairbanks daily train service.
Governor Bill Sheffield signs legislation establishing the quasi-public Alaska Railroad Corporation and its seven-member board of directors.
Governor Bill Sheffield appoints the first Board of Directors of the Alaska Railroad Corporation. Board members include James Campbell (chair), Frank Chapados (V. Chair), Lewis Dickinson (founding partner of Dowl Engineers), Myron Christy (retired CEO of Western Pacific Railroad Company), Gerald Valinske (member of United Transportation Union and Alaska Railroad employee), Richard Knapp (Commissioner of Transportation and Public Facilities), Loren Lounsbury (Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development).
Frank Turpin is appointed the first President & CEO as a state-owned enterprise.
The Alaska Railroad becomes the property of the State of Alaska in transfer ceremonies held in Nenana and Seward.
Groundwork is set to increase revenues from petroleum products and piggyback trailer service by operating overnight priority trains between Anchorage and Fairbanks, and to reduce losses from passenger service through purchase of more efficient equipment. The corporation purchases five new locomotives and 45 new railcars for $9 million. More miles of rail are replaced than were replaced following the 1964 earthquake.
A once-in-100-years flood destroys two major bridges and several smaller bridges and covers the tracks in mud, causing nearly $3 million in damage. Service is restored within 13 days.
Shipments of petroleum products and pipe for the oilfields nearly double, indicating a rebound in the local economy and, after a 10-year hiatus, logs are hauled on the Alaska Railroad. Export shipments from the Matanuska Valley and the Interior total 2.8 million board feet. A new depot is constricted at Denali Park, ultimate destination of thousands of summer visitors.
A new engineering shop is constructed in Anchorage. Six new passenger coaches and two new food service cars arrive from Korea. Built at a cost of $4.5 million, the new cars will be used on daily express trains between Anchorage and Fairbanks starting in 1990.
A severe winter of extended cold and heavy snowfall causes delays to train operations. Attempts to deter moose from the tracks include a pilot car which runs in front of freight trains to shoo moose off the tracks and noise-making shotgun shells.
Freight revenue for the year increases overall by 10 percent. Passenger ridership increases 17 percent over 1989, totaling 436,964 passengers.
Frank G. Turpin retires as the first president and CEO of the Alaska Railroad Corporation. The board of directors hires Robert S. Hatfield Jr., a 17-year veteran of the Southern Pacific Transportation Co., to head the operation.
Two 1,500 HP switch engines are purchased to free road engines for heavier work and improve customer service.
Employees in Anchorage move into a new headquarters building constructed along Ship Creek. The 38,700 square-foot building built by Matrix Construction, is owned by Railroad Townsite Company. Cost of construction totals $6 million . Alaska Railroad Corporations is the sole tenant.
Alaska Railroad Corporation retires 200 old rail cars to reduce expenses.
The railroad brings up a 700-foot long rail grinder to remove imperfections on the rail. Cost is $1.2 million to realize a cost savings of $5.3 million over 10 years.
Former Governor Bill Sheffield is appointed to the Board of Directors and elected chairman.
An agreement with Alaska Cargo Transport (ACT) is signed. It allows ACT to jointly use deck space on the railroad's Alaska Rail-Marine Service barge. ACT uses the space to transport containerized and break bulk cargo between Seattle and Whittier.
Ridership hits a new high with 492,528 passengers riding the train during 1995.
The Alaska Railroad shows a record profit of $8.0 million, surpassing the previous record profit of $7.90 million in 1995. Passenger ridership grows to 512,000.
Alaska Railroad begins to qualify for federal funding and receives $10 million in Congressional Grant funding to install 87,000 railroad ties.
Alaska Legislature passes a bill to appraise the railroad for sale. The bill is vetoed by Governor Tony Knowles.
Former Governor Bill Sheffield becomes CEO and President of the Alaska Railroad and John Binkley is named Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Alaska Railroad develops a program of projects with plans to build new depots and docks, improve rail infrastructure and modernize through new technology.
Whittier Tunnel opens to vehicular traffic and becomes the only rail/vehicle shared tunnel in the United States. Railroad ceases to operate the Whittier rail shuttle between Portage and Whittier after 55 years of service.
Railroad purchases the Florida Fun Train, adding nine new single level dome passenger rail cars to the fleet.
Railroad purchases 16 new SD70MAC locomotives to increase fuel efficiency and capacity. At 4,000 horse power, the new locomotives increase the Railroad's capacity.
Railroad initiates the Grandview passenger train to serve cruise ship passengers traveling between Seward and Anchorage. Computer Aided Dispatch introduced to Railroad to replace manual method of tracking trains on handwritten log sheets.
Former Governor Bill Sheffield retires from the Railroad. Patrick K. Gamble, former Four Star Air Force general, named new CEO and President of the Alaska Railroad Corporation.
Railroad completes new freight dock in Seward and upgrades the existing dock to a passenger-only facility. Improved avalanche detection and prevention system installed. Railroad joins new partnership with Lynden to operate the rail barge service between Whittier and the Lower 48. The new tug boats and barges increase efficiency.
Railroad begins construction on track straightening program between Anchorage and Wasilla to improve safety and efficiency and reduce the transit time by 40 minutes.
Real estate revenues exceed $11 million for the first time. New web-based passenger reservation system implemented. Railroad initiates program to install auxiliary power units and software technology on locomotives to reduce diesel emissions and noise.
Many projects completed using federal funds including the Bill Sheffield Rail Depot at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Whittier Pedestrian Underpass (traverses under rail yard), side-unloading barge dock in Whittier and Ship Creek Plaza and pedestrian amenities including sidewalks and lighting.
New sightseeing service to Grandview and Spencer Glacier initiated, proving to be a popular day trip travel choice in 2003. Alaska Railroad completes new depot at Denali National Park and Preserve.
Most successful year in Alaska Railroad history: net income reaches a record high of $14.5 million; fewer number of employees are injured than ever before; train incidents measured well below national average; and, Onboard Services Magazine names Alaska Railroad the best passenger railroad in 2003.
Click here for this year's annual report.
Click here for full press release.
Railroad purchases eight new SD70MAC locomotives, increasing the number of Railroad locomotives to 60. At 4,300 horsepower, the new locomotives increase the Railroad's capacity.
Alaska Railroad is one of nine U.S. railroads to receive the E.H. Harriman Memorial special certificate for continued improvement in its safety record over the past two years.
Click here for full press release.
The Alaska State Fair Intermodal Commuter Center opens at Alaska State Fair grounds in Palmer. The new facility, initiated by the State Fair, includes a new rail station, restrooms, handicap parking and convenient and safe drop-off traffic flow through a new fair gate.
Click here for full press release.
The Alaska Railroad dedicates its new Anchorage Operations Center. The new state-of-the-art facility serves as the nerve center of the Alaska Railroad, bringing dispatch, transportation, safety, and operations together under one roof.
The Alaska Railroad dedicates its new Fairbanks Depot designed for traveler convenience, efficiency, safety and to meet the railroad's capacity needs for the next 30 years. The depot's timber frame design, clock tower and timeless roofline are characteristics borrowed from some of the Alaska Railroad’s original depots.
The Alaska Railroad introduces its new GoldStar first class rail service by adding two new double-deck luxury cars built by Colorado Railcar to the Denali Star Train consists that operate daily mid-May through mid-September.
ARRC employee Dwight West wins Safety Person of the Year Award presented by the
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Associations. The ASLRRA is a national organization representing over 400 railroads across the United States.
The ARRC, for the first time ever, issues the first round of tax-exempt bonds to fund an aggressive track refurbishment program.
Wide spread flooding knocks out rail and highway service between Anchorage and
Fairbanks. The Railroad is back up and running in less then 48-hours becoming the first open transportation link between Alaska's two largest cities.
The ARRC debuts the AFN train with direct service between the Sheffield Depot at the Anchorage Airport and the Anchorage Historic Depot at Ship Creek.
The Alaska Railroad Corporation and U.S. Forest Service introduce a new Whistle Stop Service to the Chugach National Forest
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