Dedicated to the preservation of railroading history in Alaska and the Yukon.
News & Headlines in Alaska Railroading
557 September Progress Report is here!
The Engine 557 Restoration Co. has sent out their next progress report. Thanks to Pat Durand, President of 557, for keeping the words alive.
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CLICK HERE to read the report. Updated 9/20/2020.
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557 Restoration Co. is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit volunteer organization in Wasilla, AK restoring Engine 557 of the Alaska Railroad, the last steam locomotive ever used on the line.
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Visit their website HERE
557 Restoration Co.
P.O. Box 875360
Wasilla, AK 99687
No. 1 is Parked for the Season
It is a sad thought, but it became reality very quickly. With COVID-19 taking on in Alaska, the train operations at Pioneer Park will be canceled. Engine No.1 will continue the annual inspection and review and will continue to send out updates and notices of work parties.
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Work parties will continue under guidelines following health and safety procedures set by FTVRR and the local and state authorities. Notice of work parties will be sent via email to members and volunteers. Anyone interested in signing up for work parties can email FTVRR@FTVRR.com
Visit the Nenana Railroad Depot & Museum
While on your visit through Interior Alaska take a moment to visit one of the Alaska Railroads last three original railroad depots! Built in 1922, this depot is open May - Sept daily for you to visit and see the in-depth history of the Alaska Railroad and how the railroad played a vital role in the development of Alaska.
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Nenana is located 55 miles south of Fairbanks or 305 miles north of Anchorage on the George Parks Highway, nestled by the Tanana and Nenana rivers. The community hosts a unique atmosphere of history and heritage, and is a must-see in your adventure to Alaska.
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Nenana Depot & Museum
900 A St.
Nenana, AK 99760
News & Headlines in Alaska Railroading
Join the Fundraiser for the Nenana Depot!
The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad became the new caretakers of the Alaska Railroad Depot in Nenana, Alaska on November 11, 2020! The FTVRR intends to return this depot back to the Alaska Railroad Museum and has a lot of work to do before the goal of opening in May, 2021!
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Built in 1922, the 98 year old building is one of the last reaming original depots of the Alaska Railroad. It has been an icon of Nenana and a place of celebration, history, and community. Help us raise funds to complete much needed projects on the building like:
- New interior/Exterior paint
- Repair the floor supports
- Repair the roof and eves
- Replace broken glass panes
- Repair electrical!
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Help us reach out goal by sending in your donation online HERE or by mailing in to:
PO BOX 84498
Fairbanks, AK 99708
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Thank you for your help in keeping history alive!
No. 1 is Parked for 2021
Making sure the safety of our visitors and crew is a top priority. While working with Pioneer Park and the Fairbanks North Star Borough we are taking this time to conduct some much-needed maintenance on the track around Pioneer Park which will take the whole summer.
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Engine No. 1 as well as Engine No. 67 will not be operating during 2021. The Tanana Valley Railroad Museum will still be open May - Sept. to visitors, free admission as always.
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Work parties will continue, please sign up for our email list to be notified of events and work sessions here at the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum.
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NOTE (Updated 3/2/2021)
Current work on Engine No. 1 is scheduled for Saturdays at 10am at the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum beginning in March. Please sign up for email notification to be sure when the work begins!
While on your visit through Interior Alaska take a moment to visit one of the Alaska Railroads last three original railroad depots! Built in 1923, this depot is open May - Sept daily for you to visit and see the in-depth history of the Alaska Railroad and how the railroad played a vital role in the development of Alaska.
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Nenana is located 55 miles south of Fairbanks or 305 miles north of Anchorage on the George Parks Highway, nestled by the Tanana and Nenana rivers. The community hosts a unique atmosphere of history and heritage, and is a must-see in your adventure to Alaska.
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Nenana Depot & Museum
900 A St.
Nenana, AK 99760
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Help support the museum by sharing the news of its return on your media, tell a friend, visit the Facebook and Instagram page, or send in a donation to help restore the depot! Everything helps to keep history alive in Alaska.
Visit the Nenana Railroad Depot & Museum
2021 Lapel Pin Competition has begun
The FTVRR has begun the search for the 2021 Lapel Pin design. Each year the lapel pin is produced and serves as the Season Pass and collectible for fans and supporters on Engine No. 1.
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You can submit your design ideas and be entered for a chance to win $250 if selected!
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Key elements to know:
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1. Must include No. 1, or FTVRR museum, or another element of FTVRR operations.
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2. Must say "Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad"
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3. Must say "1990 - 2021"
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4. Can have up to seven colors.
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5. Can be any shape within a 2in x 2in design.
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Submit your design ideas to FTVRR@FTVRR.com with your name, contact information, and mailing address.
The deadline is October 31, 2020.
Read the Newest 557 Progress Report!
The Engine 557 Restoration Co. has sent out their next progress report. Thanks to Pat Durand, President of 557, for keeping the words alive.
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CLICK HERE to read the report. Updated 4/15/2021.
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557 Restoration Co. is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit volunteer organization in Wasilla, AK restoring Engine 557 of the Alaska Railroad, the last steam locomotive ever used on the line.
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Visit their website HERE
557 Restoration Co.
P.O. Box 875360
Wasilla, AK 99687
Join FTVRR or Renew Your Membership Today!
As we reach closer and closer to the new year, FTVRR is beginning the Membership Drive to encourage new membership and renew our current members.
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Download the Membership Application to apply or renew your membership. Send the completed form to FTVRR@FTVRR.com or mail it to
FTVRR
P.O. Box 84498
Fairbanks, AK 99708
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Anyone interested in becoming a new member is always welcome! The first year of new membership is free.
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Have some questions? Let us know and we would be happy to assist you! Email us at FTVRR@FTVRR.com or call (907)459-7420.
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Need an application sent to you? No problem! Let us know and we will send on in the mail, just provide your address!
Check out John's Alaska Railroad Webpage for tons of great updates, information, and Industry news on the Alaska Railroad and topics throughout Alaska and history!
ABOUT FTVRR
The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad began in 1990 as members of the Fairbanks community wanted to preserve a locomotive that had been sitting out in the elements for years after the Tanana Mines Railroad ended. By 1999, the volunteers had restored the locomotive to operation for her centennial anniversary and since 2001 have operated her on local and federal holidays in the summer for passenger services.
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In 2006 the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum & Engine House opened, a permanent home for Locomotive No. 1. The museum and restoration shop are staffed and operated by volunteers from the Fairbanks community who have a passion for local history and railroad enthusiasm. The museum is open year-round for visitors to get a glimpse into the gold rush era of interior Alaska.
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In 2019 the FTVRR joined the local Golden Days festivities by recreating the Golden Spike Ceremony of the Tanana Mines Railroad from July 1905 when the line connected Fairbanks and Chena. This ceremony was held in Pioneer Park and No. 1 was out in full glory for all the adoring visitors and supporters.
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Today the FTVRR continues to preserve and promote the history of the Tanana Valley Railroad and other railroads throughout Alaska and the Yukon. New members are always welcome!
SUPPORT FTVRR
The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad are a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and operation of the history of the Tanana Valley Railroad. We operate the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum at Pioneer Park and, on special occasion, Engine No. 1. We are responsible for the continued care and maintaince of the museum archives as well as Engine No. 1.
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The bulk of our work comes from our members who volunteer their time to accomplish a variety of projects such as the Live Steam Operations, holiday events, work parties, and the daily museum operations.
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Here are some ways in which you can help the FTVRR continue their work and help reach the goals to help out community.
BECOME A MEMBER
DONATE TO FTVRR
GET INVOLVED
Members are the best part of our organization. They are the backbone and are the great people who get the job done.
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Since the beginning of our organization, through the nine-year restoration, and every beautiful Alaskan summer since, our members have been the ones to do it all.
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If you would like to learn more about steam operations, work with trains, work in a museum, learn more about local history, volunteer some extra time, or any other interests you may have, there's probably a need for your talents here!
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Apply for new membership by:
MAIL-IN FORM
Like all community organizations, we rely on donations from visitors and supporters to fund our maintaince and work projects. These projects include:
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Annual Locomotive Servicing
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Rollingstock Repair
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Building & Site Maintaince and Repair
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Research and Museum Development
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Upgrades to existing infracture
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A donation to FTVRR goes a long way to help continue the work of the amazing volunteers. Please consider making a donation online or by mailing to:
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FTVRR
P.O. Box 84498
Fairbanks, AK 99708
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FTVRR is a Non-Profit, tax deductable organization. #92-0143398
Being involved doesn't take much! There are so many great ways for your to help FTVRR and some of them only take a minute!
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Visit the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum
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Like us on Facebook
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Share our webiste with a friend
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Volunteer during a community event
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Take a ride on No. 1 during our Live Steam Operations
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Purchase a Season Pin
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Follow us on Twitter & Instagram
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Share our name online
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Volunteer during a Holiday event
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Write a review
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All these and many more go a long way to support our efforts. We thank you for taking the time to visit our website and hope you have the chance to see our museum as well!
Gallery
SPONSORS
CONTACT
Inquiries
For any inquiries, questions or reviews please call (907)459-7420 or fill out the form below and we will be in touch!
Tanana Valley Railroad Museum
p. 2300 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99712
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m. P.O. Box 84498
Fairbanks, AK 99708
Tel: (907) 459-7420
Contact Us
The Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad are a volunteer organization based in Fairbanks, Alaska since 1990. All donations to the FTVRR are tax exempt as permitted under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.