Tested Alternatives

The Alaska Railroad has investigated numerous alterative methods for vegetation management. They include:

Steam

In 1993, ARRC borrowed a prototype "Steam Machine" from Canadian Pacific (CP) Rail to evaluate its effectiveness as a weed control method. Configured as a train – including a control car, steam / boiler car, fuel tanker, water tanker and locomotive – the Steam Machine moved along the rail at about one mile per hour. Boxes folded down over the track shoulders to enclose the area between the rails. Steam released into this confined area heated the vegetation, and weeds above the ground were wilted. Because roots remained, additional passes were required every two weeks in order to knock down re-growth.

The Steam Machine covered about 114 miles (Anchorage to Seward) in 13 work days during July. Cost was about $115,000 (1993 dollars). While steam showed potential as a vegetation control method, it had costly drawbacks, including high fuel consumption, high water consumption, large operating crew (about six), and repeated applications. In 1998, the CP mothballed the Steam Machine due to poor performance. 

Hot Water

In 1998, one of three contractors mobilized the AquaHeat hot water machine to be evaluated by the Alaska Railroad during a two-week testing phase.

The truck-mounted equipment poured scalding water on the tracks to kill vegetation. While the immediate effect was to "cook" the the tops of vegetation, the roots remained unaffected.

Flaming

The second of three contractors evaluated in 1998 had mobilized a fire / flaming machine to be evaluated by the Alaska Railroad during a two-week testing phase.

The truck-drawn equipment shot flames out of the back and onto the track. While the immediate effect was to burn and singe the tops of vegetation, again, root systems remained unaffected. 

Radiant Heat

The third and most successful contractor to be evaluated in 1998 had demonstrated a prototype Radiant Heat machine. After substantial development costs and delays, a prototype machine was placed in service.

The prototype included a large truck equipped with special drop down axles to remain on the tracks. Articulating arms held three radiant heaters. The truck carried a large supply of propane and required a three-person crew. This machine was used for two seasons, but was retired because of low productivity and high operating costs.