On AlaskaRails.org there has been photo coverage of a rare event on the AKRR recently that you can probably only see in Alaska(within the USA that is, I know of VIA 290/291), a mixed train. The FRA granted the Alaska Railroad a waiver to operate such services, which also include hauling diesel fuel cars. The train passenger counts were pretty impressive, 250 in one direction, 160 in the other. This most likely from the description of when it ran, was probably the Aurora combined with a Freight Train. This is one of the first times in 30 years they exercised the waiver.
Alaska Rails.org news item, March 25th
It is true, they hauled 17 freight cars on the passenger train last Saturday. They had 13 passenger coaches, 7 flat cars with containers and 10 loads of diesel pulled by 3 locomotives. I was told the railroad had a waiver from the FRA to do so but had not exercised the waiver since the 1970's. Before the run on Saturday, almost everyone from the railroad was present. I hope someone sent you photos. I'd like to see this. I guess it will continue to happen until the tourist season begins. The passenger load was 160 up and 250 back.
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