Talkeetna and the Flag (Whistle) Stop Train

Known better as the Hurricane Turn Train, tourist and locals alike use the train. The train runs from the middle of May until the middle of September. The woman below is seen leaving the train at what is known as a "flagstop". We were told either she or her husband go into Anchorage once a month to load up on supplies. The one staying at home comes in from the bush where they live to pick up the spouse. Most of the locals who use the train are well known by the train personnel, who look for them to "flag" the train to stop.

Spot the sense of humor below? The wooden 3-sided building has the name "Depot" painted in blue on it. The woman who lives here came with her husband to homestead in Alaska many years ago. She eventually wrote a book about the adventure of moving to Alaska and their life since. She often rides the train in hopes of selling copies of her book. She did pretty well with sales on our train. Don even bought me a copy.

Don't you have to love the fact their outhouse has a pipe attached? I think it the purpose is to help facilitate warmth inside during the winter months.

View of the Chief engineer's station.

Even along the rails the pretty Fireweed grows.

To the right is an example of the engineering architecture that went into railroad building long ago.




Crossing the Susitna River

Mom and the kids have returned home and Dad was waiting with transportation at the ready.

RV's belonging to the railroad workers all along the line, are left in Hurricane. When the days shift is completed they return here for the night. The camping area is nothing but mud and dirt. There were 2 or 3 tents set up there also. UGH!

Hurricane Depot

The Flagstop train features self-propelled rail diesel cars and travels 55 miles on a 5.5 hour scenic trip from Telkeetna to Hurricane and back. The train has become a favorite way to get to the interior for camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. It is not unusual for the train to stop and unload or pick up the outdoors people, including their dogs, fish or game. As we were here, the train must always wait for the Alaska Railroad trains caring passengers. They have the right of way. We waited an unusually long time but I believe it bothered the rr crew more than we passengers.





At long last we see the train we have been waiting for. Looks like a smiley bug face from a distance, I thought.

And quickly the train has come and gone.

So it became our turn to move along a bit further to look down from Hurricane Ridge, and what a spectacular view.

Besides a couple pair of bald eagles we caught this seagull below trying to cope with the very large salmon he or the eagles recently caught in the river. At this point the seagull was having his dinner.

Soon we are off again through the woods








and fern fields for the return to Talkeetna. The train did not "turn around"; the Engineer simply walked to the opposite end of the train and drove the train back from that end. We had to change to the seats opposite us to be traveling forward for the trip back to Talkeetna.

Curry is 20 miles up the track from Talkeetna. It is about half way between Seward and Fairbanks. Not much more than a possibly flag stop along the rails now.











The depot to the right might be considered Talkeetna North. It is where the train stops to let all those hunters, fisher-people, hikers, wilderness folks and locals off the Hurricane Turn Train. We tourists were let off on the Southern end of town and a closer walk into town.

This then is the tourist railroad depot. Complete with pretty flowers along the sides of the building.

The local want ads are placed on a board outside the local post office. Guess that is a good place cuz I suspect everyone has to come to the post office now and again to get their mail.

Much of Talkeetna was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1933. Some say that the TV show Northern Exposure was based in Talkeetna. The town itself is very compact and easily all tourist accommodations, stores, and eateries are within walking distance. Talkeetna has been the most tourist oriented of all the places we have visited in our humble opinion.

Talkeetna was originally an Indian Village and the name meant "where rivers meet", where Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna Rivers do meet. During the 1890's Talkeetna became a trading post and gold rush town and in 1910 became a riverboat landing for gold miners.

Hope you enjoyed the "tour". BBYN, Karen & Don