Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-22
TBy Associated Prcss.I

ny ASSOCIATED PrCSS.J
ANCHORAGE. ALASKA, Jan. 21.-
So rapidly has the work OF bringing
together the ends OF steel on
Alaska's 461-mile government rail-
road from Seward. on the seacoast.
to Fairbanks. in the heart OF the
Yukon country, progressed. thnt def
mite plans are being made for
great celebration throughout the
territory to mark the driving of the
golden spike" some time in mid
February.
The ceremony, which will be at
tended by Governor Scott c. Bone,
of Alaska. and other high terri
torial and Federal officials. will take
place Mt the Riley Creek Bridge. l2O
miles South of Fairbanks. Thou
sands are expected tn attend the
ceremony.
The Riley Creek Bridge is in it
self triumph OF engineering. Late
in November. 1921. 500 tons of steel
for the bridge were shipped from
Seattle 20 Seward. Today the bridge
a so0-foot structure. is practically
completed: with the exception of
the i,340-foot steel bridge across the
Tanana River at Neuana. which will
not be placed In service until late
this year or early in 1923. it is the
last unit OF the road to be COM
pleted. Pending completion OF work
on the bridge at Nenana trains will
be sent over the Tanana on ferries
in the summer and over tracks laid
on the Ice during the winter months.
The government railroad cost ap-
proSimately S56.o00.O00. and has been
under construction since 1914. The
main line betweon Seward and Fair
banks is 467 miles in length. but.
with branches, the completed system
Viii have total trackage OF 539
mi lt,v
urious trains, with Pullman coaches
and buffet dining cars have been
operated over tho main limo on a
once-a-weck schedule. Freight was
carried between the ends OF steel
by dog sled.
Alasians hail the coming of the
railroad as the key that Will unlock
one OF the richest territories in the
world. Mail from Seattle will reach
Fairbanks in nine days. Heretofore
from one to three months was tho
usual time OF transit. The road VIII
be open the year round and no longer
will the freezing OF the Yukon In win
try must hibernate until resumption
OF navigation in the spring.
Alaska's richest areas are tapped by
/ the road. The fertile valleys of the
Tanara and Yukon Will be In direct
connection with Seward. n seaport
Win harbor free OF Ice Tor Twelve
months in the year. The road passes
through important coal fields. one Of
which IS expected 10 furnish sup
plies OF stcaminE fue! for naval yes
seas II traverses what government
biologists describe as rich po;en-
,!Sl oil district in the Cook Inlet
region contiguous TO anchorage.
Bs.ore the advent OF the railroad
according TO Federal reports. it cos;
s'h 20 ship one ton o: hay. corn, po-
;stoes or other necessities to Fair
banks. The freight went by boat to
=. Michaels. ~ the mouth OF the
Yukon. was then reshipped up the
l'uko. and Tanana Rivers TO Fair
a4aks : total distance OF 2.so0 miles
Sometimes il was shipped through
s.aEws%. over the White Pass and
Yukon Pai!roa5 20 White Horse.
'henc- down The YUKON and Tanana
Rivers a. q cost OF 500.
Today The sane bulk Of tre!gh,
c@r he shipped b. the railroad TO
Fairbanks IL three weeks !ess t!r.le
;aaa - either Of the older routes.
;rzvs-s!nG q ,o,a! distance Of 1885
-a.iss. a. cos, ot about sac Since
~ road began handling traffic n