Random picture thread for Friday

Happy Labor Day!

For this Friday Eve - A post Labor Day Hike here in the Northland:

Yay, Friday is here (at least for most time zones in the U.S.)

For this Friday's photo posting here are some pictures I took "yesterday" of the ARR Train with both of the Railroad's two Cars that have rear viewing platforms. With both attached though only one will get to have unobstructed views looking back as the train moves forward.

First, here is the Denali Car subject of my prior postings from a recent ride in it:

And here is the Denali Car attached to the other car with a rear viewing platform:

And some views of the entire train:

Here is the history related to The Denali Car, both the original pictured below and its replacement as pictured above:

The original Denali Car a/k/a The Harding Car completed its service in 1945 as World War II came to an end. Since Alaska's 1967 Centennial it has been preserved at Alaskaland (Now Pioneer Park) in Fairbanks, Alaska. This year marks the Centennial of the Alaska Railroad's Completion when 100 years ago President Harding, traveling in the Denali Car, came to Nenana, Alaska to drive in the Golden Spike marking that event.

Here is a 1923 photo of President Harding standing on the rear viewing platform of the original Denali Car:

Today one can still see the original Denali Car as it has been preserved at Pioneer Park (formerly AlaskaLand) in Fairbanks:

In 1979 a successor Denali Car came to share that name. Both cars were originally manufactured by The Pullman Car Works of Chicago with the original leaving the factory in 1905 when the Pullman company was starting and the successor in 1930 as Pullman came to its end. Both cars were also acquired from The Great Northern Railroad.

The current Denali Car has a storied history of its own as well which included transporting troops during World War II. It went through a number of overhauls, the first of which was in 1939 when it was transformed from a standard Sleeper Car to a multi-bedroom car. In 1948 Great Northern Railroad acquired it and used it to transport tourists until 1957 when it was modernized for business service. As part of the 1957 modifications an additional nine feet were added to its center and its roof was lowered and rounded to look more like the modern lightweight streamlined cars of the new era. An observatory lounge, kitchen, dining room and open air observation platform were added.

1969 saw the end of the Great Northern Railroad via a merger and the Alaska Railroad acquired it in 1971 although for a period of time it remained in the continental United States where Alaska Railroad officials apparently used it as a hotel away from home. Once it arrived in Alaska it was used as an entertainment car for VIPs and politicians. In 1985 the observation lounge was expanded by removing a secretary's room. It continued service until 2002. In 2005 it was pulled out of storage and shipped to Colorado for yet another reimagining. This time it was modified into its present configuration. As it is today it has a one bedroom with an attached large bathroom and shower, a kitchen, and a combined dining and observation room which allows seating for 14 at a table and, when not at the table, posh lounge chairs for the same 14 - although by utilizing both up to 28 persons can be accommodated.

Again this was the view looking out from inside the Denali Car to the rear observation platform of the current Denali Car as I recently rode it. It is followed by several of the views I was able to take from the viewing platform as we traveled the close to five mile journey from Anchorage to Seward:

Charles A. Lindbergh 1902-1974, Kipahulu, Maui.

Palapala Ho'omau Congregational Church (1864)

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