Wasilla!? - Long before the rest of the world knew about this place (for good or ill depending on your political persuasion) Wasilla was a one time sleepy Alaskan town now up and coming as a bedroom community for Anchorage. More famously among railfans, however, it is the home of the only original depot on the ARR dating from its earliest days that still serves as an active passenger stop. A few others survive, but none serve passengers any longer. This depot was built in 1917 long before President Harding hammered in the golden spike to complete the railroad on Jly 15, 1923. This view looks out the cab of the southbound daily Denali Star passenger train pulling up to make its schedule stop.Note: the photographer is a railroad employee with permission to be on the property and was wearing all required PPE while taking this photograph.
Oh the stories these special buildings could tell. Originally the brains of the rails they monitored, working to insure effecient rail service for our nation! A tribute!
