1964 EARTHQUAKE DAMAGES TO THE ALASKA RAILROAD

The 536-mile Alaska Railroad, which operates from two tidewater ports, Seward and Whittier, on the north Pacific Coast, through to central interior Alaska suffered intense damage. Some 200 miles of railroad were totally immobilized. All communication with line points were disrupted. The damage was such that it was impossible to use the railroad to reach the distressed areas. In excess of 110 bridges were rendered unserviceable; miles of track were warped out of line and rails twisted. Landslides accounted for over 2 1/2 miles of lost grade, leaving rails suspended in mid-air. The port and terminal facilities at Seward were all but wiped out by a combination of seismic action, tidal waves and fire. Whittier fared somewhat better, but was far from operable. Two hundred and twentyfive pieces of rolling stock were either lost or badly damaged. The Railroad property loss was estimated at $35,000,000. Photographs of some damaged areas are shown. Railroad repair problems are briefly discussed.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Authors:
  • Cook, I P
• Publication Date: 1965

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 750-755
• Serial:
  • Publication of: International Union of Railways
  • Volume: 66

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Costs; Deformation; Distortion (Structures); Earthquakes; Failure; Maintenance of way; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Technology
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Distortion; Rail deformation; Track failure
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Finance; Railroads; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040173
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM