The Snow Train

The next chapter in this historic ice road trip will focus on the machine that was the creation of Al Ghezzi the man who came up with the idea and inspiration for this history making journey to the Arctic Ocean, this huge 274 foot long train was built especially for this trip and remains the only one of it's kind ever to run overland to the Arctic Ocean. This train consisted of 6 units, the front unit contained the diesel engines that ran the electric generators which delivered over 700 horsepower to each of the 24 electric powered drive wheels, the overall width was 16ft for the power unit and each of the 5 following trailers, the engine cab was 17ft- 4 inches high, truly a sight to behold. This train was built by the R.G. LeTourneau Company and was designed to carry 25,000 lbs. on each of the 5 trailers, this rig weighed in the range of 400,00 lbs. gross when loaded, the train was completed in time to join the first trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to the Arctic Ocean in the winter of 1954-55. Cont.