My New Favorite Two-Seater

[JohnD]

So I was up in Skagway, Alaska playing with "my trains" and this year the guys in the shops have fully restored one of their track maintenance cars. In a tradition that goes back more than a century, the folks at this railroad refer to these little guys as "Casey Juniors." Not sure where that comes from... They use them to run up the tracks every morning to make sure no rocks came tumbling down and bent the rails on the mountainside the night before...

Anyway, is this little guy great - or what? It only has a one-cylinder motor, but maybe with a turbo and some polished intercooler pipes and a cat-back we could get some improved performance. This is a great platform, because let me tell you - this baby corners like it is on rails!

[Kappasphere]

Glad to see your doing well and having fun. Give us a ring when ever your back in town!

[SkyBaby]

That is pretty cool! SkyBaby

[Lil GTO]

Originally Posted by JohnD

So I was up in Skagway, Alaska playing with "my trains" and this year the guys in the shops have fully restored one of their track maintenance cars. In a tradition that goes back more than a century, the folks at this railroad refer to these little guys as "Casey Juniors." Not sure where that comes from... They use them to run up the tracks every morning to make sure no rocks came tumbling down and bent the rails on the mountainside the night before...

Anyway, is this little guy great - or what? It only has a one-cylinder motor, but maybe with a turbo and some polished intercooler pipes and a cat-back we could get some improved performance. This is a great platform, because let me tell you - this baby corners like it is on rails!

Casey Junior could be a reference to Casey Jones: Casey Jones: A Tennessee Railroad Story from American Folklore

[Rail Jockey]

I'm sure that is where the name comes from. We used to call them track cars and the track inspector used them for the same reasons. Maintenance crews also used them only the pulled a flat bed trailer behind for parts and tools. Now days they use Hy-rail trucks, not as romantic but practical.
What are you doing in Skagway?
We took the bus over the pass didn't reserve the train soon enough.

[GetAboutRL]

Alaska was one of the most unusual States to visit ... and I have been to all 50 (or is it 57? ) of them.

Let's start with it being so solitary and yet 67+% of the people who live there have private phone numbers. The weather and day-light cycle and the aurora of the northern lights .. plus it once must have been tropical from frozen vegetation discovered there. It certainly is one to add to your "Bucket List" to see and experience before December 21, 2012.

[JohnD]

I lived in Alaska for two years. While there I wrote the ticketing and scheduling system software for the WP&YR. I go back once a year at the start of the season to make sure everything is in order.

If I'm lucky, I even get to ride a train!

[jazzyjet]

very nice and thanks my nephew is already asking his mother for one for his train set

[Rail Jockey]

We were in Skagway on the 26th of June and we saw the Casey Jr and road the train. I know, I ride the train every day, but this was different and the scenery was breath taking. Besides we have already been over the white pass by bus.