The temperature is -11 degrees as the ice fog hangs listlessly beneath the face of the mighty Chugach Mountains as the ARR's annual Colony Christmas train leaves the mainline at 150.5 for it's 6 mile journey all the way to the end of the Palmer Branch. The low Alaska sun glints off the side of the 6 car train which consists of a GP40-2, a power car, 4 "low level domes, " one "bistro" car, the ARR's business car #1 "Denali," trailed by GP38-2. Behind the train can be seen the CTC signal protecting the mainline and a work train tucked into the outfit track.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
