Riding around pioneer park in fairbanks, alaska on the steam train maintained by the tanana valley railroad museum. The tanana chiefs shows how the history of alaska native political struggles rests solidly on the foundation set by a meeting of tanana river athabascan tribal leaders with. Then take a seat aboard a replica of the tanana valley railroad and listen to tales of the gold rush. It embraces both dcc and dc, linear, pointtopoint, yard operations, local service operations, and continuous run operations. The narrowgauge survived 25 years, serving as the terminus for the alaska railroad and ensuring the development of interior alaska. It embraces both dcc and dc, linear, pointtopoint, yard operations. Pioneer park and the tanana valley railroad museum, fairbanks, alaska before i continue with a long series of photos and videos from the alaska railroad, i figured it would be fun to quickly introduce everyone to the tanana valley railroad museum, located in fairbank tanana valley railroad museum in fairbanks, alaska see more. Tanana valley model railroad club route of the baby moose. The northern extended 71 miles north from seward to cook inlet. Tanana valley model railroad display, alaska railroad depot, fairbanks, alaska.
Published on jan 29, 2018 clip of an alaska railroad narrow gauge train on the original track of the tanana valley railroad at chatanika, alaska, circa 1927 to 1930. There have been a handful of books published over the years featuring the railroad s history from stan cohens, rails across the tundra. Also available as an electronic book via the world wide web to institutions affiliated with netlibrary, inc. It is a historically accurate novel told through the eyes of a fictionalized main character. Tanana valley model railroad club route of the baby. In 1905, the road was put in from chena to gilmore on pedro creek, with a spur of 4. Tanana valley railroad your adventure begins at gold dredge 8 with a ride on a replica of the tanana valley railroad near some of the original rail routes. This is what people are referring to when they say fairbanks has character. Apr 15, 20 reorganized as the tanana valley railroad, this little line promised the survival of both gold mining and fairbanks until fairbankss economic base broadened. The gold dust line, alaska paperback 1996 by nicholas deely author. Tanana valley railroad, pan for gold,transalyeska pipeline.
Today, the alaska railroad from seward to fairbanks and the whitepass and yukon. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Bookaks tanana valley rail alaska railroad giftshop. Oct 02, 20 riding around pioneer park in fairbanks, alaska on the steam train maintained by the tanana valley railroad museum. The tanana valley railroad museum illustrates the role of this railroad in fairbanks first industry through historical exhibits, interpretive train rides, and. You will see firsthand how the dredge worked the gold fields. Mar 24, 2020 tanana valley model railroad club is a nonpofit corporation open to all individuals interested in model railroading. We really enjoyed the tanana railroad museum at pioneer park. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books. Your regular conductor and commentator is earl hughes, who provides festive music along your. Things to do in fairbanks, alaska 1st alaska tours. The narrowgauge survived 25 years, serving as the terminus for the alaska railroad and ensuring.
Tanana valley railroad written by the friends of the tanana valley railroad, inc the tanana valley railroad tvrr began life as the tanana mines railway. There are so many things to do in fairbanks and the surrounding area. Riverboat discovery and gold dredge 8 book tour now. Friends of the tanana valley railroad, incorporated ftvrr is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation composed of individuals sharing a common interest in the history of alaska as represented by the tanana valley railroad.
Jun 27, 2017 we really enjoyed the tanana railroad museum at pioneer park. Lyons, 66, passed away on april 11, 2019, surrounded by people who loved him. The second part of the alaska railroad 19021923 shares the story of construction from the purchase of the alaska northern and tanana valley railroads in 1915, to the driving of the golden spike at nenana in 1923 i will be adding these chapters and their supporting research materials throughout the winter of 201718. Tanana valley model railroad display fairbanks 2020 all. So when i discovered thank you tripadvisor the existence of the tanana valley model railroad display, located inside of the alaska railroad depot, here in fairbanks, alaska, i had to. High iron to fairbanks, written by evan mckinney, highlights the alaska railroad s construction. Tanana valley model railroad display tanana valley model railroad display 1. Railroads of alaska project jukebox university of alaska fairbanks. Media in category tanana valley railroad the following 8 files are in this category, out of 8 total.
Then take a seat aboard a replica of the narrowgauge tanana valley railroad and hear the conductor tell tales of prospectors who arrived by the thousands during the gold rush. The changing fortune of old chatanika sketches of alaska. Dec 29, 2015 alaska \ tanana valley railroad tanana valley railroad. The tanana valley railroad museum illustrates the role of this railroad in fairbanks first industry through historical exhibits, interpretive train rides, and onsite restoration. Enjoy a close up view of the trans alaska pipeline and a presentation about its construction and operation. This organization has not provided guidestar with a mission statement. The railroad, built with klondike gold rush earnings, prospered for only a few years and was acquired by the alaska railroad.
Oct 02, 20 1981 brochure for alaskaland, including an aerial view of the railroad tracks encircling the park. Enjoy a closeup view of the transalaska pipeline and a presentation about its history and operation. The tanana valley railroad tvrr was a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge railroad that operated. The gold rush that started fairbanks relied heavily on an early railroad to quickly and efficiently move people and valuable goods along a string of mines and supporting communities. The tanana chiefs chronicles the efforts by alaska natives to gain recognition for rights under western law and the struggles to negotiate governmenttogovernment relationships with the federal government. Once aboard our narrow gauge railroad, you will enjoy a short narrated journey to the dredge. Nichols, the first station agent and postmaster, is shown at right. The new layout at the new depot is still under construction. Your adventure begins at gold dredge 8 with a ride on a replica of the tanana valley railroad near some of the original rail routes. The first rails laid in the interior connected chena with fairbanks and later, chatanika. In 2001 he published a historical novel, legacy of the chief, based on his. Mckinley park station and display booth, august 3, 1930.
The first mckinley park station, in 1922, was a converted tanana valley railroad car. Visiting the tanana valley railroad museum, fairbanks, alaska. Tanana valley railroad museum the tanana valley railroad museum, based in fairbanks, is a small excursion operation featuring an historic 040t steam locomotive built by h. The tanana valley extended from chena, a settlement on the tanana river, to fairbanks, with a branch to chatanika. David lyons obituary fairbanks, ak daily newsminer. See how steam locomotives operate, the history of railroading in alaska, and much. Tanana valley model railroad display fairbanks 2020 all you. Friends of the tanana valley railroad, fairbanks, alaska. Tanana valley model railroad display fairbanks 2020.
The friends of the tanana valley railroad operate the tanana valley railroad museum. Friends of the tanana valley railroad operates the tanana valley railroad musuem which is. See how steam locomotives operate, the history of railroading in alaska, and much more. Tanana valley railroad written by the friends of the tanana valley railroad, inc. The second part of the alaska railroad 19021923 shares the story of construction from the purchase of the alaska northern and tanana valley railroads in 1915, to the driving of the golden spike at. Traveling north through the yukon territory, we encounter wild lands, wild animals and some pretty wild characters. Friends of the tanana valley railroad, 2300 airport way. Tanana valley model railroad display is located in fairbanks. Reorganized as the tanana valley railroad, this little line promised the survival of both gold mining and fairbanks until fairbankss economic base broadened. Covers its origins in the tanana mines railroad, the founding of chena and fairbanks, alaska, the construction of the tvr, the brief years of prosperity, the operational problems caused by the snow and ice, the effect of teddy roosevelts decision to withdraw federal lands from further oil, coal and logging development, and the. It was put on display in fairbanks and eventually moved to pioneer park where it is restored and operated. In a region desperate for transportation to rich, goldbearing creeks, the narrowgauge tanana mines railroad was built over permafrost, bogs, and hills to carry miners and supplies in 1905. A portion of the railroad later became part of the alaska railroad.
Martin gutoski, vice president of the friends of tanana valley railroad, gave us a great tour of the original coal and woodfired steam engine. Bring the family for a funfilled adventure aboard the tanana valley railroad and ride into gold mining history. Apr 15, 20 alaskas tanana valley railroads images of rail daniel l. The tanana valley railroad museum illustrates the role of this railroad in fairbanks first industry through historical exhibits, interpretive train rides, and on site. The tanana river bridge, at nenana, under construction. Free front end paper has several creases, two very small faint stains, also one small faint stain on front pastedown, otherwise fine. Tanana valley model railroad club is a nonpofit corporation open to all individuals interested in model railroading. Active after retirement and still curious, osborne seized the opportunity to learn about steam locomotives. Another camp, which, according to nicholas deelys book, tanana valley railroad, the gold dust line, was called 15 belowcleary the 15th claim below the creeks discovery claim, and.
Our most coveted stop is denali national park with 6 million acres of flawless nature. Filled with the white pass train excursion, glacier and wildlife cruises. Fascinating history of the tanana valley railroad in alaska. How 14 athabascan tribal leaders set the course of native. Hotel comfort inn fairbanks, ak 3 united states from us. Come visit the museum wednesday friday 123 and saturday 102 during the winter hours and every day 128 between labor day and memorial day. When the railroad s tanana river bridge was completed in 1923, this section was widened to standardgauge as far as happy in goldstream valley where the tvrrs tracks turned east toward fox. Only 60 miles from fairbanks, this world renowned resort offers a day or evening of rest and relaxation in the historical location discovered by natives and early miners. Once the train arrives at the camp, you will receive a brief but informative course in mining, and then you will try panning for yourself. It contains the first full transcript of the historic meeting as well as essays that connect that first gathering with the continued. Osborne is a longtime, dedicated volunteer and operates the surviving tanana valley railroad steam engine no. Very good book protected in original clear, vinyl cover.
College station and the toonerville trolley sketches of. Falcon joslin and martin harrais, entrepreneurs living in dawson, yukon territory, canada, learned of the gold strikes in the chena and chatanika river basins. The tanana valley railroad museum illustrates the role of this railroad in fairbanks first industry through historical exhibits, interpretive train rides, and onsite. Reorganized as the tanana valley railroad, this little line promised the survival of both gold mining and fairbanks until fairbankss economic. Nov 18, 2018 the edisonbeach railcar pressed into service originally made daily runs on the tanana valley railroad between fairbanks and fox.
The alaska railroad is the result of the remnant of two goldrush era railroads, the alaska central, later known as the alaska northern, and the tanana valley railroad. Tanana valley model railroad display fairbanks all you. Friends of the tanana valley railroad home facebook. Falcon joslin and martin harrais, entrepreneurs living in dawson, yukon territory. Many years ago, way back in the early 1970s, i was a model railroad enthusiast. Visit tanana valley model railroad display on your trip to. Written by the friends of the tanana valley railroad, inc.
First locomotive brought to tanana valley fairbanks alaska depot train station. The tanana valley railroad tvrr was a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge railroad that operated in the tanana valley of alaska from 1905 to about 1917. A historical album of the alaska railroad to william henry wilsons. Pat durand left and rich barlow discuss how to proceed ftvrr files, dan gullickson. The tanana valley railroad tvrr began life as the tanana mines railway. The train ride takes you to gold dredge 8 where you will see firsthand how the dredge worked. Please follow this site for email updates as new material is uploaded.
The progression of the tanana valley railroad, originally called the tanana mines railway, is described in howard cliffords rails north superior publishing company, 1982. The excitement begins at mile 0 of the alaskan highway where our explorations launch us onto a path of adventure. Then, take a seat aboard the narrowgauge tanana valley railroad and hear the conductor tell tales of prospectors who arrived by the thousands during the gold rush. Like most things in alaska, the railroad didnt come easy. Friends of the tanana valley railroad inc quick facts. Artisan, musician and master craftsman, dave lived a life full of beauty, creativity and spirit. Fairbanks when falcon joslin, the mastermind behind the tanana valley railroad began work on the line in 1904, he envisioned a railroad stretching from fairbanks to nome. Residents of the area needed a dependable, yeararound means of transportation to move people and supplies to and from the mines. Put tanana valley model railroad display at the forefront of your travel plans using our fairbanks trip itinerary maker site. The tvrr was incorporated as the tanana mines railway in 1904, construction on the first section started and completed in. Pioneer park and the tanana valley railroad museum, fairbanks.
Another of the most popular things to do in fairbanks is to pay a visit to chena hot springs. Whether viewing the famous aurora borealis is your focus, if youre after some active outdoor time or wildlife viewing or even if arts and culture are more to your interest, youre sure to find something to excite you in fairbanks, alaska. These stories are told through historic exhibits, blackandwhite photos, oral histories, and living legends on staff at the fairbanks community museum, tanana valley railroad museum, and pioneer air museum. So before we depart fairbanks on a journey down the alaska railroad, lets take a quick minute to check out pioneer park and the tanana valley railroad museum, and a short video from my gopro camera which was mounted on their historical locomotive. F alcon joslin and martin harrais, entrepreneurs living in dawson, yukon territory, canada, learned of the gold strikes in the chena and chatanika river basins. In a region desperate for transportation to rich, goldbearing creeks, the narrowgauge tanana mines railroad was built over permafrost. Friends of the tanana valley railroad museums greater. Chena hot springs resort summer packages are allinclusive of meals, tours, and hot springs access. The tanana valley railroad which ran from fairbanks to.
Friends of the tanana valley railroad inc guidestar profile. More railroads were promoted than were constructed, but it should be noted that besides the alaska railroad and the copper river and northwest railway there were a number of short lines that served mining operations, including the tanana valley railroad and the seward peninsula railroad. It preserves the history of a company by the same name, which opened a short, 3foot narrowgauge operation in 1905 within the tanana valley. The great denlai trek is missing from leather on front cover and there is no number on the halftitle page. Friends of the tanana valley railroad posts facebook. Alaska \ tanana valley railroad tanana valley railroad. The friends of the tanana valley railroad was incorporated to rescue the rusting engine. Pioneer park and the tanana valley railroad museum.
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