Alaska Railroad and the Whittier, Alaska Railroad Barges

Alaska Railroad is an American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association regional railroad that connects Anchorage and Fairbanks. The railroad continues south from Anchorage to Whittier and Seward. At Whittier, freight cars are loaded and unloaded onto barges for Prince Rupert, British Columbia for Canadian National Railway Company and Seattle for BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.

Montana Rail Link and Its Northern Pacific Ancestry

Northern Pacific's route through Montana is part of today's regional railroad, Montana Rail Link.  Montana Rail Link, a member of the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, provides first mile/last mile rail service, originating and delivering carloads from its customers.  Montana Rail Link interchanges freight with both BNSF and Union Pacific.  This gives Montana Rail Link customers great access to our nation's railroad network.

To see more of my Northern Pacific and Montana Rail Link artwork, visit my website,
http://www.andyfletchertrains.com/

Drawing Illinois Central and the Short Lines and Regionals of the 1990s

Through the years, the locomotives and freight cars of the Illinois Central have always caught my eye.  The striking "IC" logo always stood out on IC's brightly painted equipment.  As Illinois Central freight cars traveled through Davis, they made me want to see "The Mainline of Mid-America."  

I finally got to see several Illinois Central locomotives just outside of Chicago in 1991.  Upon returning to my studio, I drew Illinois Central and many of America's railroads that I saw on that trip.

When I first began drawing trains, Illinois Central was trimming down to more or less a Chicago to New Orleans backbone of the Midwest, creating regional railroads Chicago Central and Paducah & Louisville. Many of my first drawings were of the short lines and regional railroads that were spun-off from the Class 1's during this era of railroading.    
To see more of my Illinois Central artwork, visit
http://www.andyfletchertrains.com/illinois-central.html

Having a Cup of Coffee in Rutland, Vermont

I stopped and had a cup of coffee in Rutland, Vermont in 2010.  I always enjoy visiting cities that are an important part of our railroad history.
As I entered town, I saw the tracks of today's Vermont Railway.  About fifty miles to the south, I saw a northbound train making its way across Vermont.
I took in the downtown of Rutland.  The streets were punctuated with the original brick buildings in a town which had grown around the railroad. Rutland, Vermont truly was the nerve center of the Green Mountain Gateway.

Visiting Alaska Railroad in 1992

In 1992, I was fortunate enough to be invited to visit the Alaska railroad in Anchorage.  I had sent one of my drawings of an Alaska Railroad locomotive to then President Robert Hatfield, and he suggested that I come up and visit.

My mom, sister and I made the trip to Alaska that February.  It was truly a beautiful time to see Alaska.  Our timing was great, as well.

When in Anchorage, we were able to see the beginning of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race.  It reminded me of reading "The Call of the Wild," my grandpa's favorite book.

We were invited to take the Alaska Railroad passenger train to Fairbanks and back.  All along the route, we spotted majestic wildlife throughout Alaska's landscape.  It was a journey I will never forget.

If you have not visited Alaska to ride the Alaska Railroad, I truly recommend it.  Summer or winter, Alaska and the Alaska Railroad truly offer scenic wonder.

To see more of my Alaska Railroad drawings, visit
http://www.andyfletchertrains.com/alaska-railroad.html