Boxcar Tourist

A blog of railroads: Where they were. Where they are.

Photo Post
White Pass & Yukon Route Alco’s #107 & #106 hauling a container train. Appears to be on the Canadian side of the line. 1977. View high resolution

White Pass & Yukon Route Alco’s #107 & #106 hauling a container train. Appears to be on the Canadian side of the line. 1977.

Posted in wpyr alaska container train diesel train alco
Photo Post
Baldwin 2-8-2 - “Moose Gooser” Alaska Railroad #16 - Anchorage, AK. June 1967. The locomotive was acquired by the West Coast Railway Association in 1964. In 1967 No. 16 was leased to the Alaska Railroad who were in need of a steam locomotive with which to celebrate Alaska’s centennial. The Alaska Railroad ignominiously named their acquisition the “Moose Gooser”. Returned from Alaska Railroad, it was sent to Vancouver Island in 1970 No.16 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for C. R. McCormick , a large Washington state logging company the year the Great Depression began. Typical of thousands of powerful “Rod” engines, No. 16 was the standard Baldwin logging locomotive design. With a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement this “Mikado” type locomotive has relatively small drivers, only 45” in diameter giving power rather than speed. The centre 2 drivers are “blind” which means they do not have flanges. This enables No. 16 to negotiate the very sharp curves which were found on logging railways. No. 16 was built as a Saddle Tank engine. The water tanks were carried over the boiler like a saddle. Credit: Paul O’Garra  View high resolution

Baldwin 2-8-2 - “Moose Gooser”

Alaska Railroad #16 - Anchorage, AK. June 1967.

The locomotive was acquired by the West Coast Railway Association in 1964. In 1967 No. 16 was leased to the Alaska Railroad who were in need of a steam locomotive with which to celebrate Alaska’s centennial. The Alaska Railroad ignominiously named their acquisition the “Moose Gooser”. Returned from Alaska Railroad, it was sent to Vancouver Island in 1970

No.16 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for C. R. McCormick , a large Washington state logging company the year the Great Depression began. Typical of thousands of powerful “Rod” engines, No. 16 was the standard Baldwin logging locomotive design. With a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement this “Mikado” type locomotive has relatively small drivers, only 45” in diameter giving power rather than speed. The centre 2 drivers are “blind” which means they do not have flanges. This enables No. 16 to negotiate the very sharp curves which were found on logging railways. No. 16 was built as a Saddle Tank engine. The water tanks were carried over the boiler like a saddle.

Credit: Paul O’Garra 

Posted in alaska railroad moose gooser baldwin 2-8-2 16
Text Post

Of modeling and railroading…

As I begin this blog of all things railroad, I thought it appropriate to open with a post of my “home” and favorite railroad, the White Pass & Yukon Route. I say “home” because my home of Juneau doesn’t have a current railroad. Growing up, I was privileged to spend a decent amount of time in Skagway. I can remember walking along the tracks, watching the tourists board the cars, as well as playing around old rolling stock and steam locomotives. And, of course, I remember riding the train.

I hope you enjoy the video and come back for future posts. I am an avid railroader with interest in both operational and defunct railroads. Prototype and model. And I do have a sweet spot for Alaskan and Californian rail.

Enjoy the ride,

Ben

Posted in juneau alaska model trains trains railroad skagway wp&yr white pass & yukon route