Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1917 — KEEP TRAIN CREW AT WORK [ARTICLE]

KEEP TRAIN CREW AT WORK

Difficulties of Railroading In Alaska Will Be Understood From the Following Incident. ward Alaska, under date of December 12, states : “Last week the train service over the government ralilroad was discontinued for...the winter heyondL Mile 34. Beyond the thirty-fourth mile of track only double-headers have been used during the past six weeks, two engines being required to force the snowplow over the line. The train crew handling the last train of the season over the mountain summit to Mile 52 brought back—some-- tales of the freaks of frost out the line. At Tunnel No. 3 a couple of Icicles six feet In diameter barred the way, and while these obstructions were being removed ttye engine became frozen to the track in the sliish. It took two hours to thaw it lodse. On the back trip, between Mile 40 and Mile 34, the coldest spot in this section of Alaska, the trainmen’s lanterns became extinguished every time they went outside, the oil congealing so that it could not enter the wicks. The previous train got beyond Mile 54, but was intercepted on the return an immense SOOWslide near Spencer glacier and was put in winter quarters constructed for the purpose. The train crew returned to Seward on foot.”