December 26, 2010

Back Back Train

During the Christmas Holidays, our family spent a couple of days with family in Fairbanks, Alaska. Along the side of the road was an unusual piece of machinery, a LeTourneau "Tundra Train" or VC-22 Snow-Freighter. One of only a few overland trains produced, this strange train was built to haul equipment and machinery offering support for DEW line logistics operations in the arctic regions of Alaska.
In typical LeTourneau fashion, each of its wheels (including the trailers) was powered by its own electric motor. The electric motors received their power from a large diesel powered generator. With it's six cars, it could haul 150 tons, cross rivers up to 4 feet (1.2 m) deep, cut through snow drifts and operate at temperatures as low as -68 degrees F.

"Tundra Train"


Notice the "LET" logo


Sunset over the Train at around 1:00 PM


Some archive films of the unit in action
Part I


Part II
Posted by voranclan
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1 comment:

  1. Jenny SmuckerDecember 30, 2010 at 8:02 PM

    i never knew trains like that existed! it almost seems like it shouldn't be called a train. oh, and every time i look at your blog, i get cold. can you please post pictures of cozy warm fires next time? thank you. :)

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