from Anchorage is South Birchwood, then North Birchwood. There is a small yard here and one can often find the work trains getting ready for the day. There is a siding at Eklutna that provides a nice shot in both directions, as does an over- pass on the Old Glen Highway. North from here the New Glen High- way parallels the railroad with some nice opportunities to shoot trains with mountain backdrops. If one wants to continue with the railroad make sure you follow the signs for the Parks High-
way, as the Glen Highway will continue into Palmer. The Parks Highway cross- es the railroad again at Matanuska Junction. Pulling onto the shoulder here will yield a very nice shot of the junction with Knik Glacier in the back- ground. Here is also where the branch to Palmer curves off. Be aware if you are following a gravel train as occasion- ally
one Branch.
The Parks Highway will take you in- to Wasilla with the tracks to the west.
will load on the Palmer
Use your DeLorme atlas in this area, as there are numerous access points. North of Wasilla the highway again crosses the tracks at Pittman and there is an outstanding view to the south of a northbound train. Once north of Pittman the road and the tracks sepa- rate and can no longer be seen through the trees, so again the atlas will be helpful when looking for access points. Just south of Houston the highway crosses below the tracks and for a few miles will be viewable before again dis- appearing into the trees. The highway crosses the tracks again at Nancy Lakes and here is where on a clear day you can line up a southbound with the highest peak in North America, Denali. From here until Talkeetna the tracks are out of view and there are few side roads that lead to the tracks. The tracks
cross the highway at
grade near MP 206. Talkeetna is not on the main road but rather is accessed
LEFT: The northbound freight affectionately termed the "Ox" (for “Overnight Express”) is seen at Nenana. In the summer months it is light enough to capture photos of this noctur- nal train. BELOW: Alaska Railroad SD70MAC 4004 is northbound across the frozen Knik River on an early spring day. This shot is but a short snow shoe hike from the Glen Highway.
Visit the 2013 NRHS Convention web site at
www.nrhs.com/events/2013-alaska-convention
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