This 1905 photo has been enhanced to bring out the lettering on the coach and sternwheeler. However, it was not successful. This may be the original NAT&T Company Porter engine and coach for the Tanana Mines Railway.

http://narrowmind.railfan.net/

 

The Sternwheeler Whitehorse pushing the barge with passenger coaches numbers 204 and 210 and locomotive #54 for the Tanana Valley Railroad. These cars were purchased from the Whitehorse and Yukon Railroad. This mode of transportation was also used to get the NAT&T Company engine #1 from  Dawson to Chena. The name of the that Sternwheeler has not been found. However, the Seattle 3 has been known to carry locomotives and coaches on barges. See next photo
http://narrowmind.railfan.net/
 

The Seattle 3 at Eagle pushing a barge containing a passenger coach and engine. The railroad line could not be determined. The lettering  on the side of the coach is: ?. M. Ry.



Anchorage Museum of History and Art
Library of Archives
 

 One of the first known photos of the Tanana Mines Railroad and Chena Station.



 

Main Street in Chena, Alaska, where the Tanana Mines Railroad originated. The mainline is the left track. This is a good example of a "Railroad Town" where Main Street consists of railroad tracks.
 

Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Elmer E.. Rasmussen Library
William Sale Collection
UAF-1979-106-8

The Tanana Valley Railroad depot in Fairbanks. This station was build in 1904 for the Tanana Mines Railway and was still standing during the 40's. The Alaska Railroad built it's replacement in 1920.


Alaska Engineering Commission Collection
AMHA-aec-g2030
Photographer: H. G. Kaiser


 
A 1907 photo of the Tanana Mines Railroad engine #1 at Chena.
 




This early photo  shows the  engine #1 with passenger coach 106. There is a box car attached but not shown in this photo.

 


Olness, Alaska 1908 during its' construction




O.D. Goetz Collection
AMHA-b01-41-286

Olness during its' final days during the 1920's. This was permafrost at work. The citizens tried propping and shoring up the structures to no avail.


John Urban Collection
AMHA-b64-1-605
 

The town of Eldorado, mostly abandoned and boarded up, showing the main line and siding.



 

The bustling community of Fox.

 


Photographer: A. J. Johnson



The caption written on photo reads: TVRR No. 5 Bridge Head of Fox Gulch. This train is headed to Fairbanks. The next stop will be at the wood stock pile. See next photo.


Library of Congress

     

The wood stock pile at the start of No.5 bridge. The photo reads:   " -TVRR WOODING UP NO. 5 BRIDGE IN DISTANCE -    JOHNSON "
This photo shows how the land has been stripped of all trees and vegetation. The use of coal ( when available) would have about doubled the BTU of these engines. Example: A pound of wood can yield 6,800 Btu, coal  up to 12,000 Btu per pound

Photographer: A. J. Johnson



Caption Reads: "TVRR Northbound Train at Summit"

 

Library of Congress
Carpenter Collection


The TVRR Brill car at Fox. It was used for more than a commuter car from Chena to Fairbanks.


University of Alaska Fairbanks
Elmer E.. Rasmussen Library


An electric car, a Brill car or Edison Battery Car . A lot of names for this one car. From history, this is a Brill car which used a generator to drive a DC motor. 

 

 
The end of the line at Chatanika.





Library of Congress

Photographer: A. J. Johnson



October 1917, construction of bridge number 1 at mile 462.7, Fairbanks District. An
Alaska Engineering Commission photo,



Photographer: A. J. Johnson
AMHA-aec-j106

 

Engine No. 1 wearing the new U.S. markings bringing an end to the Tanana Valley Railroad.

 

 

The last engine purchased by the line, which was the A.E.C. at that time,  was #152.
It was a 4-6-0 built in 1920 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. This shows the engine when it was in the U.S. stock.

 

This is engine # 152 today. It has under gone a complete overhaul and is still in use as engine number 2 with the Huckleberry Railroad.

 


 

 

 

© 2006 GEM Designers, North Pole, Alaska