Energy companies have indicated a growing interest in Fairbanks-bound liquefied naturalgas (LNG) and conversations about how to make that happen include the Alaska Railroadand infrastructure near Port MacKenzie.

This summer, North America energyinfrastructure owner-operator WesPacMidstream LLC made presentations tothe Matanuska-Susitna BoroughAssembly and others regarding plans to

spend $600 million on a new Point McKenzieLNG plant. WesPac is working with Cook Inlet gasproducers to secure enough gas to make projectdevelopment viable.

In November, Cook Inlet natural gas producerHilcorp Energy Company announced plans topurchase an existing Point MacKenzie LNG plantfrom Fairbanks Natural Gas, which, for years hastrucked LNG to a small set of Interior customers.The existing and planned LNG plants are both a short distance from the Port MacKenzie RailExtension (PMRE) project that is slated for completion in 2017. Once the 32-mile rail extension isconstructed, spur lines can link LNG plants to rail infrastructure. Hilcorp and WesPac have bothnoted that their long-term plans involve safe, cost-effective rail transportation.

Getting LNG to Fairbanks is a mutual goal for gas producers and the State of Alaska. Recent statelegislation allows the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) to invest in aLNG plant on the North Slope and a plan for trucking natural gas to the Fairbanks market. Aresurgence of natural gas activity in Cook Inlet has attracted new producers and developers interestedin serving the needs of Interior Alaska as well.

While the prospects are exciting, significant infrastructure is needed in Fairbanks, and alongwhichever route the gas may travel — from the North Slope or Cook Inlet. Whether hauling suppliesfor infrastructure development or hauling the fuel, the Alaska Railroad is poised to be part of thesolution to bring reliable and affordable energy to Fairbanks.

E

Alaska Railroad Corporation4th Quarter 2014

www.A l a sk aRa i l ro ad . com • ( 907 ) 265 -2300

NATURAL GAS TO FAIRBANKS SOLUTION Railroad and new rail extension could help get LNG to Fairbanks

Visit our web site atAlaskaRailroad.com

Weekend Winter Train servicebetween Anchorage andFairbanks runs mid-Septemberthrough mid-May. Look foradditional mid-week servicefrom February 24 to March 18.

Surfacing on a segment ofthe Port MacKenzie RailExtension project, whichis slated to be complete by2017.

The Alaska Railroad is soliciting Alaskanartists for its annual commemorative artprogram. The selected artist will createartwork to be the basis for the 2016Alaska Railroad official print/poster. Forthe 2016 print, the Alaska Railroad isparticularly interested in artwork that fea-tures railroad infrastructure and activitynear Houston, which sits at the junctureof the railroad’s existing mainline and anew rail extension to Port MacKenzie, aproject currently under construction. In2016, Houston will mark 50 years since itwas incorporated as a city (1966). Whilenot mandatory, submissions that featurethe Houston area will receive additionalconsideration.

Artists should submit their idea(s) as asketch no larger than 11 x 17 inches andalso provide a few samples of finished art-work representing their style. Deadlinefor submissions is Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.Submissions can be mailed or deliveredto Stephenie Wheeler at the AlaskaRailroad, 327 W. Ship Creek Avenue inAnchorage (99501).

Questions? Contact Wheeler at (907)265-2671 or WheelerS@akrr.com.Contest participants will be notified ofresults by the end of March 2015. Formore details about the program, visitwww.AlaskaRailroad.com > Community> Art Print.

RAILROAD SEEKS 2016 ARTISTPreferred focus is Houston; Submit ideas by February 27

The railroad recently delivered two retiredtanker railcars to Chena-Goldstream Fire& Rescue. The non-profit organizationrequested the donation to boost its fire-fighting capacity while protecting resi-dents and property within GoldstreamValley and Ester Dome areas outside ofFairbanks. This fall, the railroad trans-ported the tank cars to Fairbanks, wherethe community then trucked the tankersto a final burial location.

“Chena Goldstream Fire & Rescue andthe Ester Dome UnincorporatedCommunity worked together to bury tworailroad cars that together will holdapproximately 44,000 gallons of water forfire suppression on top of Ester Dome,”wrote community representatives in arecent thank-you card. “We could nothave competed this exciting project with-out the time, dedication, support and

funding of those who chose to help us.We send our personal thanks for yourassistance in making this project a reality.”

The tank cars had reached the end oftheir useful life and could no longer beused to haul fuel. The tank cars were val-ued at approximately $5,000.”

TANK CARS MAY SAVE LIVESRailroad donates retired tankers to fire-and-rescue unit

Make-A-Wish® of Alaska andWashington recently highlight-ed railroad Passenger ServicesAgent Aaren MacKenzie as avalued volunteer who greetsWish families arriving at theairport in the middle of thenight. MacKenzie got hookedon Make-A-Wish® through therailroad a few years ago, whenhe helped grant the wish of aseriously ill little boy whowanted to ride the train.

As a corporate supporter, theAlaska Railroad typically hostsa half dozen Make-a-Wish®families each year. As the faceof the railroad for Make-a-Wish®, MacKenzie gathersinformation about incomingWish families and coordinateswith the railroad gift shop tocreate gift bags that are pre-sented when families arrive.

“Wishes have so much energy,”said MacKenzie about his vol-unteer experience. “Every sin-gle kid has one thing in com-mon — a huge smile.”

RAILROADERMAKES WISHES

COME TRUE

Tankers were similar to the above picturedcar which was donated in 2008 to the stateforestry division for use in fire suppression.

Clark Hopp

This year, the Alaska Railroad presented its prestigiousColonel Frederick Mears Award for Excellence to key playersinvolved in building the Tanana River bridge and levee nearSalcha. The $188 million project was completed on time andon budget this summer. The Mears Award is named for theformer Alaska Engineering Commission chairman and chiefengineer who oversaw Alaska Railroad construction from1914 to 1923. The award acknowledges people and projectsthat move the Alaska Railroad forward and contribute to thegreater good of Alaska and railbelt communities. This high-level recognition was established in 2012, when the inauguralaward was presented to railroaders and contractors involvedwith the Anchorage Historic Freight Shed renovation project.

Likewise, recipients of the 2014 Mears Award include threerailroad employees and three contractor companies thatreceived awards during a bridge/levee ribbon-cutting ceremo-ny. ARRC VP Engineering Clark Hopp, Capital ProjectsDirector Brian Lindamood and Project Manager MarkPeterburs provided project management and liaison with thecommunity during the life of the project. Contractors KiewitInfrastructure West; HDR, Inc., and Hanson Alaska LLCwere recognized for excellence in performing their respectiveengineering, environmental, public involvement and con-struction roles. CEO Sergio Pecori accepted Hanson’s award;Operations Director Pat Harrison accepted for Kiewit; andSenior VP Mark Dalton accepted for HDR.

MEARS AWARD RECOGNIZES TANANA BRIDGE TEAMRailroad’s prestigious award honors 3 railroaders and 3 contractor companies

Brian Lindamood Mark Peterburs Sergio PecoriHanson

Mark DaltonHDR

Pat HarrisonKiewit

The Alaska Railroad was represented on the transition team formed to advise incomingGovernor Bill Walker and Lt. Governor Byron Mallott. The honor offered a rare andimportant opportunity to provide the railroad’s perspective and insight into transportationissues and challenges as the new administration outlined its priorities and sought potentialsolutions to issues facing Alaska. Governor Walker took a notably public approach to histransition team, inviting input from a diverse group of about 250 community leaders whospent the November 21-23 weekend reviewing and discussing issues within 17 committees.The railroad’s Vice President of Corporate Planning and Real Estate Jim Kubitz was amember of the Transition Team’s Infrastructure Committee. T

RAILROAD HELPS ON GOVERNOR’S TRANSITION TEAM VP Corporate Planning & Real Estate offers railroad perspective on transportation

Alaska Railroad CorporationP.O. Box 107500Anchorage, AK 99510-7500

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Member &Supporter

The Alaska Railroadrecently paid tribute toTrack Repairer andBoard Member JackBurton who marks ahalf-century as a rail-road employee. Burtonjoined the railroad as atrack laborer in 1964

and has remained a member ofthe railroad Maintenance-of-Way(MOW) department. He hasrepresented employees as unionleader (Alaska Railroad Workerspresident, 1980-1994) and as amember of the Alaska Railroad Board of Directors sinceGovernor Walter Hickel appointed him in 1994.

At the gathering ARRC President/CEO Bill O’Leary present-ed Burton with a 50-year diamond-studded pin and BoardChair Linda Leary commended Burton for his experience andleadership. Jack’s son Gordon talked about the Burton fami-

ly’s multi-generational ties to therailroad. Two of Jack’s brothers arelong-tenured railroad equipmentoperators. Jack’s daughter workedpreviously as a passenger train tick-et agent based in Portage. Twosons and a grandson followed Jackinto track repair work. Gordonrepaired track for 18 years beforeretiring in 2000, and son Keith hasbeen a track crew member fornearly 30 years and is currently anMOW section foreman. Jack’sgrandson Scott (Keith’s son)became a track laborer this year.

Only one other railroad employee has reached 50 years: Healyresident and roadmaster Steve Love, who retired in 2008. Atthe time, ARRC renamed the Healy Siding the Love Sidingin Love’s honor. Similarly, the siding at Moose Pass, whereBurton has lived since 1975, has been re-named the JackBurton Siding.

RAILROADER MARKS HALF-CENTURY ON THE JOBJack Burton is one of only two Alaska Railroad employees to reach 50 years

TTransportation Commissioner Pat Kemp, left, congratulateshis fellow ARRC Board member Jack Burton.