US Air Force F-22 Raptor Amid Billowing Clouds of Alaska Sky, Then on to Snow Capped Mount Susitna and Yet to Erupt Mt. Spurr Volcano:
First a United States F-22 Raptor fighter jet descends and then the camera follows billowing clouds above the horizon to snow capped Mount Susitna before reaching the cloud capped Mt Spurr Volcano that is yet to erupt,
Link to Landing US Air Force f-22 Raptor and on to Yet to Erupt Mt. Spurr:
For a Few Hours this Wednesday morning, the clouds lifted over Mount Spurr ....
Remaining under Alaska Volcano Observatory Code Yellow Advisory Alert, Active Volcano Mount Spurr located close to the State’s biggest city is seen from Anchorage on this clear May 7th morning.
Slight whiffs of steam can be seen venting from the Volcano’s highest point, Summit Peak. Otherwise all appears calm as the yet to erupt volcano prepares for another eruption following its 1953 and 1982 explosions which left Anchorage covered in Volcanic Ash.
IDENTIFYING THE ALASKA RAILROAD'S FIRST STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN ANCHORAGE AND THEIR BACKSTORY
First, Photos Discovered from the Anchorage Museum's Archives:
The first locomotive in Anchorage as it was photographed in 1915 by Anchorage's 1st Photographer Sydney Laurence's Assistant:
The same and additional Early Locomotives photographed in Anchorage:
Photos taken today of the Alaska Railroad's Honorary Locomotive #!:
Back to the archives:
And the Full Story:
Steam Locomotives of the Alaska Railroad
The story of the four number 1 locomotives
by Mike Gerenday
The Alaska Railroad had an interesting roster of steam locomotives from the construction era to the end of steam. Some of those locomotives in the early days were from other railroad companies that were bought by the AEC. Alaska Northern Railway and the Tanana Valley Railroad were the two roads that were purchased. These early predecessors all had number 1 locomotives as well as the Alaska Railroad. There has been word of a fifth number 1 though there isn't enough information to discuss here
The Alaska Central Railway was the predecessor to the Alaska Northern Railway, it started construction in 1904 in Seward. The ACRy rostered a few locomotives and rolling stock including ACRy number 1. ACRy 1 was a Portland Locomotive Co 4-4-0 American originally built for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883. In 1908 the ACRy was reorganized and became the Alaska Northern Railway, ACRy 1 became ANRy 1 and wore the number until the Alaska Engineering Commission bought the ANRy in 1915 which in turn re-numbered in to U.S. 10.
The Tanana Valley Railroad was a narrow gauge railroad that served Fairbanks and the gold mine towns in the region originally constructed in 1905. The TVRR had a Porter 0-4-0 built in 1899 numbered 1. The Alaska Engineering Commission purchased the TVRR in 1917 and extended the line down to Nenana until the Tanana River Bridge was completed. TVRR 1 was rostered U.S. 1 for a short time, by 1923 it was out of service. This locomotive survives today in Fairbanks.
The real ARR 1 was built new in 1915 for the AEC and was an ALCO-Rogers 0-4-2 saddle tank engine. Until the completion of the Alaska Railroad it's it's naming in 1923, the ARR 1 was rostered U.S. 1. Over it's life it received some modifications such as full height coal bunker, steam dynamo and electric lights. ARR 1 was out of service from 1935 roughly until it was formally retired in 1946. In 1947 the ARR 1 was sent to scrap.
Now this is where it gets interesting. The number 6 was a narrow gauge Davenport 0-4-0 Dinky locomotive built for construction use on the Panama Canal as 802. In 1917 it came to Alaska with other equipment used in Panama and was re-numbered to 6. In the late 1920s it was converted to standard gauge and was used as a shop switcher moving larger locomotives around the facilities. It was put into storage at an unknown date.
In 1947 it was brought back out of storage, refurbished and re-numbered 1. This was an honorary number 1 as it and a pair of homemade coaches were used as part of the inaugural celebrations of the new AuRoRa passenger train. Then in 1948 the Kiwanis Club of Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad used the honorary 1 and coaches as part of the annual Fur Rendezvous festivities and temporary track was laid down on a few streets.
In November of 1952 a monument commemorating the Alaska Railroad Rehabilitation Program in front of the Anchorage Depot was unveiled and the Davenport locomotive that was used as an honorary 1 stood on a pedestal where it sits today.
So for those who have or will see the ARR 1 in front of the Anchorage Depot, now you know it's history and the history of all the number 1 locomotives in the history of the Alaska Railroad.
LAST NIGHT'S NEAR BEAR ENCOUNTER IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS CAPTURED BY SECURITY CAMERA
This morning our neighbor found his trash can toppled over. Sure enough a check of our security camera footage revealed the culprit as seen here in the night.
I just missed a face to face encounter as I had just a short time later ventured out in the night to video a chirping bird serenade. I had never before heard birds chirping in the middle of the night.
In retrospect it now makes sense why I heard the bird chirping in the darkness. It was likely trying to distract the bear away from climbing the tree that had her nest filled with eggs or new hatchlings.
In this below linked video the bear is seen at the very beginning crossing my driveway which triggered the filming by the security camera.
Link to Video of the Last Night's Bear Crossing our Driveway:
Comments
Turnagain Arm from Seward Highway 1940s:
Turnagain Arm from Alaska Railroad Tracks and Highway Today:
First Troops in Juneau as U.S. entered World War II in 1941:
Ingrid Bergman with the Troops in Juneau in 1941 and with Juneau's Mayor Harry Lucus:
Danny Thomas and family
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I really miss JOLT - great morning wake up drink
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Alaska Based US Air Force F-22 Raptor Lands Followed by a Sea Bird Fly By
Link to Video of Descending f-22 Raptor:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/n1DwMAh4lPA
Descending from the Alaska skies over Anchorage’s Cook Inlet these fighter jets return from their aerial missions.
Link to Video of Pair of F-22 Raptor Fighter Jets Approaching Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Amid Billowing Clouds:
Concurrently taken photos:
US Air Force F-22 Raptor Amid Billowing Clouds of Alaska Sky, Then on to Snow Capped Mount Susitna and Yet to Erupt Mt. Spurr Volcano:
First a United States F-22 Raptor fighter jet descends and then the camera follows billowing clouds above the horizon to snow capped Mount Susitna before reaching the cloud capped Mt Spurr Volcano that is yet to erupt,
Link to Landing US Air Force f-22 Raptor and on to Yet to Erupt Mt. Spurr:
Concurrently taken Photos:
Tote Ship and Alaska Train Depart Anchorage Port and Station Toward Mount Susitna and Stunning Clouds Billowing Overhead:
Link to Music Video of Tote Ship and Alaska Train Departing Anchorage:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qvpyYUjCqP0
November 15, 1952:
May 6, 2025:
Circa 1950s:
May 6, 2025:
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
For a Few Hours this Wednesday morning, the clouds lifted over Mount Spurr ....
Remaining under Alaska Volcano Observatory Code Yellow Advisory Alert, Active Volcano Mount Spurr located close to the State’s biggest city is seen from Anchorage on this clear May 7th morning.
Slight whiffs of steam can be seen venting from the Volcano’s highest point, Summit Peak. Otherwise all appears calm as the yet to erupt volcano prepares for another eruption following its 1953 and 1982 explosions which left Anchorage covered in Volcanic Ash.
Link to Video of today's Cloud Clear Mount Spurr:
Concurrently taken photos:
TODAY'S MUSIC VIDEOS:
Link to UPS Jumbo Jet Descends Over Alaska's Venting Mount Spurr Volcano:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6wTGD0yopOw
Link to Video of Sea Bird Taking Flight and Landing as Alaska's Hot to Go Volcano Mt. Spurr Vents to the Sounds of "Hot to Go:"
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z_BRrPJGnY8
Link to Video of Alaska Railroad Locomotive Pushing Freight Train Along Shores of Cook Inlet at Dusk to the Sounds of Jennifer Lopez:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4PZ2INPANvc
A few of my favorite finds from yesterday at the Anchorage Museum's Archives:
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
Another great day at Mammoth Mountain (elevation 11,053 feet) in the Eastern Sierras
Christmas 1917. My grandmother is on the left
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Looking for PCGS AU58 Washington's, 32-63.
Picked up a little gold today.
My YouTube Channel
First Cruise Ship of the Year Arrived Today at the Anchorage Port.
(Flying overhead is USAF Plane landing at Anchorage Alaska's Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.)
Over 2,000 passengers disembarked from Holland America's "New Amsterdam:"
IDENTIFYING THE ALASKA RAILROAD'S FIRST STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN ANCHORAGE AND THEIR BACKSTORY
First, Photos Discovered from the Anchorage Museum's Archives:
The first locomotive in Anchorage as it was photographed in 1915 by Anchorage's 1st Photographer Sydney Laurence's Assistant:
The same and additional Early Locomotives photographed in Anchorage:
Photos taken today of the Alaska Railroad's Honorary Locomotive #!:
Back to the archives:
And the Full Story:
Steam Locomotives of the Alaska Railroad
The story of the four number 1 locomotives
by Mike Gerenday
The Alaska Railroad had an interesting roster of steam locomotives from the construction era to the end of steam. Some of those locomotives in the early days were from other railroad companies that were bought by the AEC. Alaska Northern Railway and the Tanana Valley Railroad were the two roads that were purchased. These early predecessors all had number 1 locomotives as well as the Alaska Railroad. There has been word of a fifth number 1 though there isn't enough information to discuss here
The Alaska Central Railway was the predecessor to the Alaska Northern Railway, it started construction in 1904 in Seward. The ACRy rostered a few locomotives and rolling stock including ACRy number 1. ACRy 1 was a Portland Locomotive Co 4-4-0 American originally built for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883. In 1908 the ACRy was reorganized and became the Alaska Northern Railway, ACRy 1 became ANRy 1 and wore the number until the Alaska Engineering Commission bought the ANRy in 1915 which in turn re-numbered in to U.S. 10.
The Tanana Valley Railroad was a narrow gauge railroad that served Fairbanks and the gold mine towns in the region originally constructed in 1905. The TVRR had a Porter 0-4-0 built in 1899 numbered 1. The Alaska Engineering Commission purchased the TVRR in 1917 and extended the line down to Nenana until the Tanana River Bridge was completed. TVRR 1 was rostered U.S. 1 for a short time, by 1923 it was out of service. This locomotive survives today in Fairbanks.
The real ARR 1 was built new in 1915 for the AEC and was an ALCO-Rogers 0-4-2 saddle tank engine. Until the completion of the Alaska Railroad it's it's naming in 1923, the ARR 1 was rostered U.S. 1. Over it's life it received some modifications such as full height coal bunker, steam dynamo and electric lights. ARR 1 was out of service from 1935 roughly until it was formally retired in 1946. In 1947 the ARR 1 was sent to scrap.
Now this is where it gets interesting. The number 6 was a narrow gauge Davenport 0-4-0 Dinky locomotive built for construction use on the Panama Canal as 802. In 1917 it came to Alaska with other equipment used in Panama and was re-numbered to 6. In the late 1920s it was converted to standard gauge and was used as a shop switcher moving larger locomotives around the facilities. It was put into storage at an unknown date.
In 1947 it was brought back out of storage, refurbished and re-numbered 1. This was an honorary number 1 as it and a pair of homemade coaches were used as part of the inaugural celebrations of the new AuRoRa passenger train. Then in 1948 the Kiwanis Club of Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad used the honorary 1 and coaches as part of the annual Fur Rendezvous festivities and temporary track was laid down on a few streets.
In November of 1952 a monument commemorating the Alaska Railroad Rehabilitation Program in front of the Anchorage Depot was unveiled and the Davenport locomotive that was used as an honorary 1 stood on a pedestal where it sits today.
So for those who have or will see the ARR 1 in front of the Anchorage Depot, now you know it's history and the history of all the number 1 locomotives in the history of the Alaska Railroad.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
My father Jesse was a B-24 pilot in WWll. Photo of B-24 Grumpy, Dad and crew in Lecce, Italy 1945.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I liked watching the Flintstones every Friday night before going to bed. The good olde days.
☺️🙂
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
LAST NIGHT'S NEAR BEAR ENCOUNTER IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS CAPTURED BY SECURITY CAMERA
This morning our neighbor found his trash can toppled over. Sure enough a check of our security camera footage revealed the culprit as seen here in the night.
I just missed a face to face encounter as I had just a short time later ventured out in the night to video a chirping bird serenade. I had never before heard birds chirping in the middle of the night.
In retrospect it now makes sense why I heard the bird chirping in the darkness. It was likely trying to distract the bear away from climbing the tree that had her nest filled with eggs or new hatchlings.
In this below linked video the bear is seen at the very beginning crossing my driveway which triggered the filming by the security camera.
Link to Video of the Last Night's Bear Crossing our Driveway:
And here is a still photo screenshot:
FWIW, here is the bird serenading in the middle of the night video:
As I stepped outside into the still of the night the sound of a bird chirping pierced the air. As I paused to listen it continued into a serenade.
In this video you are welcome to share the surreal experience as you join with me in pausing to listen.
Link to the Video of the Chirping Bird Distracting the Bear:
And here is a still photo screenshot of yours truly just missing the face to face bear encounter as I subsequently stepped out into the night:
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan