Northern Pacific passenger train number 4, the eastbound Alaskan, nears the summit of Stampede Pass and passes the station at Stampede, Washington, on a sunny, snowy day in 1949. Leading is Class A 4-8-4 Northern-type steam locomotive number 2609, built by American Locomotive Company in 1926; in the cab is engineer Louis Butt. A W-3 2-8-2 Mikado-type locomotive pushes on the rear to assist the seven-car train up the 2.2% grade. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: passenger train, steam locomotive, telegraph station, railroad crew, mountains

On board Northern Pacific passenger train number 4, The Alaskan, at Upham, Washington, circa 1945. Looking back at train from cab of Class Q-4 Pacific-type steam locomotive number 2170 as train climbs the grade toward Stampede Pass in snow, with a helper engine pushing on rear. Two copy negatives, J.M. Fredrickson Collection. Other Subject Classes: passenger train,steam locomotive, mountains

Northern Pacific passenger train number 4, the eastbound Alaskan, passes through Wymer, Washington, on June 10, 1944. Leading is Class W-1 2-8-2 Mikado-type steam freight locomotive number 1672, followed by a Q-5 or 6 Pacific-type road engine. The six-car secondary transcontinental train consists of railway post office car, baggage car, cafe car, and coaches. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: passenger train, steam locomotive, railroad yard, water tank

On board Northern Pacific passenger train number 4, the eastbound Alaskan, in the Rocky Mountains on August 19, 1949. Looking from rear of train forward to mail cars and steam locomotive, the train has been detoured off its normal route via Helena and is running via Butte and Homestake Pass. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: passenger train, passenger car, steam locomotive, mountains

On board Northern Pacific passenger train number 4, the eastbound Alaskan, in the Rocky Mountains on August 19, 1949. Looking from rear of train forward to mail cars and steam locomotive, crossing viaduct, the train has been detoured off its normal route via Helena and is running via Butte and Homestake Pass. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: passenger train, steam locomotive, bridge, mountains

Northern Pacific 2626 and Great Northern 2505 wait for their next assignments at the Hoyt Street roundhouse in Portland, Oregon. J.M. Fredrickson collection. Other Subject Classes: steam locomotive, roundhouse.

Northern Pacific special train Extra 1823 West, Barnum and Bailey Circus, at Auburn, Washington, in 1948. Class W-3 Mikado-type steam locomotive number 1823 leads flat cars loaded with circus equipment off the east-west mainline onto the north-south line to Seattle. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: circus train, steam locomotive

Northern Pacific special train Extra 1823 West, Barnum and Bailey Circus, at Auburn, Washington, in 1948. Class W-3 Mikado-type steam locomotive number 1823 leads flat cars loaded with circus equipment en route to Seattle. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: circus train, steam locomotive

Northern Pacific 1179, a class G-2, switches a cut of stock cars in a freight yard at Brainerd, Minnesota, circa 1938. Photo by Herman Hunt, J.M. Fredrickson collection. Other Subject Classes: steam locomotive.

A view of an eastbound freight train between Livingston and Laurel, Montana, in September 1953. Photo by J.M. Fredrickson. Other Subject Classes: freight train, steam locomotive.