Looks like fun Cowgirl!
http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=1552
Great essay, Cowgirl!
I really enjoyed it.
Here's a little info from wikipedia:
The Alaska Railroad... extends from Seward and Whittier, in the south of the state of Alaska, in the United States, to Fairbanks (passing through Anchorage), and beyond to Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright in the interior of that state. Uniquely, it carries both freight and passengers throughout its system, including Denali National Park (most other intercity passenger rail in the U.S.A. is carried on the Federal Amtrak system).
It is currently owned by the State of Alaska.
In 2008, the company earned a profit of $12.5 million (down 23%) on revenues of $158.7 million (up 6.9%)
In 1985, the State of Alaska bought the railroad from the U.S. government for $22.3 million. The state immediately invested over $70 million on improvements and repairs that made up for years of deferred maintenance.
Sadly, much of our track in the lower 48 suffers from "deferred maintenance." But with a little spit-polish to put 'em back in order... and eliminate the bottlenecks, Many Amtrak routes can also begin to turn a profit!!!