Blog: Offbeat Fairbanks
On July 4, a piece of Fairbanks history will once again come to life.
Tanana Valley Railroad's Old No. 1 engine will be pulling passengers on the circuit around Pioneer Park between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to Dan Osborne, president of the Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad. The nonprofit group restored and operates the 110-year-old steam engine, which was the first engine on the fledgling Tanana Mines Railroad in Fairbanks, beginning in 1905. Engine No. 1 is an 0-4-0 ST steam locomotive built by H. K. Porter & Co., according to the group's Web site.
I've been fascinated by the engine and Falcon Joslin, man who brought it to Fairbanks, for years. But that's a subject for another day.
The group operates off of donations. Members also secured the grant that allowed the construction of the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum at Pioneer Park.
A ride costs $1 for children 3-11 and seniors; $2 for children over 12 and adults and is free for infants and toddlers under 3 years old.
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