Saturday, June 22, 2024
The alarm clock buzzed unmercifully early, a stark reminder of our late night. But the promise of a unique Alaskan photography opportunity spurred us out of bed and on the road by 8:00 AM. Our destination: Wasilla, Alaska.
Wasilla, often described as Anchorage's "bedroom community," holds a certain allure. Its more affordable housing market and promise of a "country feel" draws residents who are willing to make the commute south to Anchorage for work. But on this particular morning, our focus wasn't on Wasilla's residential charm; it was on capturing a specific moment in time: the northbound Denali Star train rumbling through, a majestic symbol of Alaskan adventure.
Our plan involved meeting up with Bill Hess, a local photographer known for his impressive drone work, and his trusty aerial companion, Sancho II. Bill's mission was to capture the train's journey through Wasilla, a perspective only a drone could provide. Given Bill and his wife's recent positive COVID tests, we were careful to maintain a safe distance, prioritizing everyone's well-being.
My own goal was to document Bill and Sancho II in action, capturing the behind-the-scenes of their aerial photography. I envisioned a video showcasing the intricate dance between photographer and drone as they worked to capture the perfect shot of the Denali Star.
However, unbeknownst to me, Bill had a different vision in mind. He wanted to turn the camera on us, Terry and me, capturing our reactions as we witnessed the iconic train pass through. He envisioned us as the subjects, adding a human element to the grand spectacle of the Denali Star.
In my focus on capturing Bill and Sancho II, I inadvertently foiled his plan. My framing, centered on Bill, his drone, and the approaching train, inadvertently excluded us from the shot he had envisioned.
Afterward, Bill graciously expressed his desire to have Terry and I as the focal point of his video. A wave of apologetic understanding washed over me. I hadn't realized his intention and my enthusiasm had, in a well-meaning way, completely bypassed his artistic vision.
All I could offer was a sincere apology and a promise to rectify the situation on our next visit to Wasilla. We'd learn from this experience, communicate our intentions more clearly, and ensure that next time, Terry and I would be ready to play our part in Bill's creative vision.
The Denali Star has come and gone, but the memory of this Wasilla morning remains. It's a reminder that even in pursuit of photographic perfection, communication and collaboration are key. And perhaps, it's a reminder that sometimes, the best stories are the ones you didn't plan to tell, the missed opportunities that pave the way for future adventures and collaborative creations.
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| The 55-minute jaunt to Wasilla has a beautiful midsection of mountains and rivers. | Video: With the 557 Restoration Company building as a backdrop, Bill captured the train with Sancho II. |
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| Bill Hess captures himself with the train and the 557 Restoration Company building. | Video: Bill brought Sancho II in for a soft and safe landing in the nearby Mudbusters Car wash. |
For those who appreciate the romance and power of the steam engine, the restoration of Alaska Railroad's Engine 557 is a labor of love drawing near its triumphant conclusion. Just a day after a scenic train ride, a dedicated group of enthusiasts gathered at the 557 Restoration Company building for an update on the remarkable progress being made on the iconic locomotive. The excitement was palpable, fueled by the news that the restoration team believes they are now a staggering 90% complete.
The buzz extended beyond the engine itself, as outside the building, an Alaska Railroad crew was meticulously laying track to connect the engine house to the mainline. Using specialized equipment like the Track Aligner, Tamper a Ballast Regulator, and loader, the team finalized track installation on the engine house lead and section house stub. This crucial step will allow Engine 557 to connect to the rails of the Alaska Railroad.
Inside the 557 Restoration Company, Patrick Durand, President and CEO, led an engaging tour of the facilities, showcasing the impressive array of machinery and tooling used in the meticulous restoration process. The highlight of the visit was a hands-on demonstration of the precision work being done on the locomotive's thirty superheater assemblies.
These intricate assemblies, vital to the engine's efficiency, are undergoing careful fine-tuning and adjustment as new support bands are installed. As Durand explained, a key element of this process is the addition of standoff feet to the bottom side of each band. These feet ensure the assembly remains perfectly centered within the flue, a critical detail for optimal performance. During our tour, CMO Jeff DeBroeck welded the bands, ensuring the highest standards of quality and precision were met.
The restoration of Engine 557 is more than just a mechanical undertaking; it's a testament to the enduring power of community, a dedication to preserving history, and a promise of steam-powered adventures to come on the Alaska Railroad. With the project nearing its final stages, the rumble of Engine 557, once a sound of the past, promises to fill the Alaskan landscape once more. Keep an eye on the rails, because the grand return of Engine 557 is just around the corner!
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| Laying the rails to the 557 Restoration Company building. | Where is the ballast? Terry Douglas captured the effort in this video. | Here's hoping these rails are used next year to set 557 free! |
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| Patrick Durand, President and CEO of the 557 Restoration Company, inside the cab of #557. | Volunteer Terry Douglas talking 557 excitement with yours truly. | Volunteers have contributed 130,000 hours over a nine-year period. They are the backbone of the restoration effort. |
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| Patrick Durand sharing the highlights of restoration with former Norfolk Southern COO Paul Duncan. | While I chatted, Terry circled the shop taking various photos. | The builders at Baldwin Locomotive Works would never have envisioned these restoration efforts! |
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| An U.S. Army tender was acquired from the nearby Museum of Alaska Transportation for use with #557. | Rear view from the tender | Side tender view |
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| Terry peeking out of the engineer's side of the cab | Nice t-shirt! | Side tender view |
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| Paul Duncan and John Combs | Patrick talking 557 | Single Ultradome passenger train |
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| Video: Jeff DeBroeck explaining the banding effort to the touring crowd. | Video: Jeff DeBroeck explaining the banding effort to the touring crowd. | Video: Jeff DeBroeck explaining the banding effort to the touring crowd. |
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| Video: Jerry stands by to assist the process while shielding himself from the arc flash with his arm. | Video: Jeff DeBroeck banding the tubes | Video: Jeff fabricating a fixture to form the bands to the super heater units so he can install them. |
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| Video: The crew waiving to the passenger train |
After departing from Wasilla at 12:30 PM, we visited the scenic Campbell Tract nature area for some geocaching. Upon arriving at the Campbell Tract, we were greeted by a beautiful bridge crossing a crystal-clear stream. The bridge was a testament to the area's commitment to preserving its natural beauty while also providing access to the public. The stream below sparkled in the sunlight, inviting us to explore the area's hidden treasures.
We spent the afternoon geocaching, a popular outdoor activity that involved using a smartphone with a free Geocaching app, seeking containers called "geocaches" at specific locations marked by coordinates. As we embarked on our search, we were struck by the area's tranquility, with the only sounds coming from the gentle flow of the stream and the whooshing of pine trees in the breeze.
To our delight, we found several geocaches during our walk, each one containing a logbook for us to sign and trade small items. One of the highlights of our visit to the Campbell Tract was the absence of mosquitoes. In a state known for its abundant mosquito population, it was a relief to be able to enjoy the outdoors without constant buzzing and biting.
Curt and Renee work part time at Bell’s Nursery and Gifts as they love meeting new people. I think Curt could sell grass seed to apartment dwellers! Terry and I stopped by to visit them at work. Curt immediately spotted me and stopped by my car window to chat. After several minutes, Renee came out and admonished him. Get back to work! Quickly, Curt went over to an older gentleman shopping for a tree. By the time the man left the store, he had bought three trees. Yet another victim to Curt's charismatic charm!
We headed back to the Rudd residence, changed clothes and relaxed for a few minutes before going to Los Margaritas for a Mexican dinner with them. I am a sucker for steak fajitas, and I was definitely not disappointed here. As an added bonus, Terry and I split a margarita.
Renee mentioned something about leaving their dog outside in their truck. I asked her if she was a little bit concerned about her dog being in a hot truck. She informed me she had a remote start. When she pushed the button, it started the car and the air conditioning automatically turned on. The car engine would run for 20 minutes and then cut off whereupon she would start it again. I asked if she was worried about someone stealing her vehicle and she said that the moment somebody broke into the car it would stop the engine.
I knew Terry and I would be doing a trip into Canada later in the year and I was worried about the same thing with our new puppy Tazzy. This got my brain jump started for buying a remote start for my car as well. (As it turned out, I did indeed purchase that remote start and have used it multiple times to keep the car temperature comfortable for Tazzy and as well as warm it up for me during winter geocaching trips.)