ARRTrain
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Posts posted by ARRTrain
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18 hours ago, GTJ said:
What is curious is that several passenger trains seemingly would have been affected, and therefore making for significant reportable news. The train from Denali to Whittier, the "Denali Express," is followed by the "McKinley Express" that operates between McKinley and Whittier, by the "Denali Star" (which is combined with the "Wilderness Express") that operates between Fairbanks and Anchorage, and by the Hurricane "turn" that operates between Hurricane and Talkeetna. That is to say, there is at least one, and possibly two, other passenger trains, depending on the exact place of the slide, that would have been caught up with the slide as well. The lack of news reports is surprising.
The DEX was in a siding & got passed by the HEX & Denali Star. They were waiting for a new crew to be delivered.
The MEX was south of the area & not affected.
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12 hours ago, nijh said:
Update (from Crooners 😊)
They left the lodge at 8.30am, expecting to be on the ship for around 6pm. They got here at 1am (by replacement train) and by the time they were at their stateroom (security etc) it was about 2.45am.
They were stationary at the mudslide for about 6 hours.
Same train. They did get a replacement crew though.
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20 hours ago, GTJ said:
Do you know if there are cruise line personnel present at the downtown Anchorage station, for the departures of both the Coastal Classic and Glacier Discovery trains (to Seward and Whittier, respectively), for the handling of baggage and customer relations, all separate and apart from the chartered cruise trains? If so, all lines, or just the primary ones (i.e., Princess, Holland-America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea)? Or is the baggage handled by the Alaska Railroad and loaded by the railroad into the trucks? And are the trucks hired (be it directly or through a broker) by the cruise lines or by the railroad . . . or by their own employees using their own trucks? These transportation logistics are not well documented, but particularly when things go wrong, and liability needs to be determined, the logistics are important. (E.g., most railroads limit their baggage liability to $500, but Alaska Railroad is unusual in not limiting its liability in its terms and conditions; and meanwhile cruise lines limit their liability to lower limits . . . so best, from a liability perspective, to have baggage handled and transported by the railroad than by a cruise line.)
The ARR makes sure everything is tagged for the cruiselines & seperates the luggage.
Holland America & Princess uses their own luggage trucks to move the luggage to the Port. They use their own employees to load the luggage. Company Reps are present for their trains. Usually not present for the ARR trains, until the Luggage Crew arrives to load the trucks.
All other Cruise Lines use Premier Alaska to move passengers & luggage. They have their trucks & luggage crew.
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11 hours ago, dhanakorn said:
I don’t think there’s a Covid test site in Whittier. The town is very small. Anchorage is probably the best place if you want Covid test.
Whittier terminal is very small. I don’t see any Covid test available inside terminal.
There is a testing facility - outside the front door of the Whittier Terminal.
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Princess & Holland America have Beacon doing tests at the Whittier Terminal
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Beacon also has a testing facility in Whittier at the Terminal.
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Most likely it is the Egan Center - but if it is booked - they use the Dena'ina Center
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There's also the Daily Holland America Princess train, I think they call it the HEX. It leaves after the Daily ARR Denali Star. Not sure how you make reservations on it. I think it leaves Anchorage around 9am - 9:30am.
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MEX uses the ARR Cruise Train cars. Single level glass wrapped cars - assigned seating.
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Whittier is about 50 miles from Anchorage with a One Way Tunnel for traffic.
Princess has transfers from Downtown Anchorage & the Airport. Several private companies have transfers.
Alaska Railroad has Daily Train to Whittier.
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You can probably check with the local Alaska Ground Operations for Royal Celebrity.
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HUNA Totem did a video presentation in Whittier when they announced the plan.
The HUNA plan included a Lodge - Tram system - Terminal - Dock - Harbor - Boardwalk shopping area.
HUNA pitched the Lodge as guests would spend a night in Whittier before their cruise & after their cruise, as a way to split up tunnel traffic.
They seem to be building for NCL and plan on bringing the big NCL ships up to Whittier.
HUNA has scaled back the plans for now. Just a Terminal & Dock to start. If they bring in a ship on the same days as Princess or Holland - the tunnel lines will be long & some vehicles probably won't make it through on their openings. Plus, Alaska Railroad does not have enough passenger cars for more train capacity on existing ship days.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the next 2 years.
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3 hours ago, MudderBear said:
You know, I think I realized that because I went to Google Maps. But, what I don't understand is why the rail is slower. Does it make multiple stops? Or is it one stop in Anhorage which is a long stop.
Train speeds are slow - in some areas.
Southbound trip - quick stop in Wasilla for a crew change - quick stop in Anc to put on some check-in staff
Northbound trip - quick Crew Change in Anc.
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21 minutes ago, donaldsc said:
Doing AK on the ferries is a lot of fun. Shame that the state is letting all the ships get in such bad shape. Wonder what the towns that depend upon the ferries will do w/o them.
DON
Smaller charter boats run a few people & supplies, but no vehicles of course. Planes fly in supplies - but costs more.
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Most of the Alaska Ferries are out of service. No money for repairs. They are also on virus shutdown.
2 ferries in service.
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15 hours ago, bottom-dragger said:
friday is 4/24
and we're impeaching him
Won't be impeached for awhile - if at all
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There might be a Train Transfer sold through Princess that leaves early in the morning. You would have to call & check into that.
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Not sure how many people drive to Hatcher Pass be or after cruising. The buildings will be closed.
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Help from early risers in Whittier please.
in Alaska
Posted
1st tunnel in is at 5:30am
if they were in the terminal at 5:30am waiting - they could hop on their transfer & leave on the 1st tunnel out at 6am