Alaska Railroad

The Alaska Railroad began operating in 1923, under the Alaska Railroad Commission (previously the Alaskan Engineering Commission).

From the description of Alaska Railroad tour lantern slide collection [graphic], 1923. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 56507928

During World War II, the Alaska Railroad was used by the army to transport military personnel, supplies, and construction materials between Seward, Whittier, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. To facilitate these activities and to provide security, the 714th Railway Operating Battalion was assigned to operate the railroad with civilian railroad personnel (May 1943-May 1945). The railroad also operated a river line from Nenana and Marshall on the Yukon and the Eska Coal Mines.

From the description of War Record, 1943-1945. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 42927161

The entity now known as the Alaska Railroad began as the Alaska Engineering Commission (AEC), which was created by President Woodrow Wilson in the Alaska Railroad Act (38 Stat. 305), March 12, 1914, to supervise construction of Alaska's railways. When railroad construction was completed and the railroad began operating in 1923, the AEC became the Alaska Railroad Commission, later redesignated The Alaska Railroad.

From the description of Alaska Railroad photograph collection [graphic], 1916-1922. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 56504572