Veteran’s Day 2021
The last two years researching and writing the Overland Trains story has been a journey, both academically and personally. I have added a handful of people as friends and many…
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Alaska Freight Lines Sno-Freighter Swinging Axle Assembly
When Alfred Ghezzi purchased the Sno-Freighter for supply runs to the Distant Early Warning Line, he never realized that it would make just three working trips before coming inoperable. Over…
“Red” Overland Train Painting
The image below was painted by Marathon LeTourneau, Co.’s Art Supervisor and company artist H.D. “Red” Reynolds. He started his professional career as a painter in 1951 for LeTourneau College.…
Eielson Air Force Base to Receive Micro-Reactor in 2027
The United States Department of the Air Force announced that Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) will start producing 1-5 mW micro-reactor nuclear power by 2027. Executive Order 13972 promoted small…
The Sno-Freighter’s Final Re-Supply Mission
In the spring of 1956, the Sno-Freighter was on it’s last DEW Line resupply mission. The Sno-Freighter did not travel alone on these re-supply missions. It typically convoyed with 3-5…
TRADCOM Visitors Inspect Firestone’s 120x48x68 Tires
In April 1954, visitors from TRADCOM inspect the 120x48x68 tires. These tires were designed by LeTourneau and built by Firestone.
Bob Byers, “Memoirs of an Alaska Bush Pilot”
Robert (Bob) Dale Byers was an Alaska Bush pilot for 17 years. In one of his short stories, he talks about Alfred Ghezzi/Alaska Freight Lines and the Distant Early Warning…
Sno-Freighter Serial Number Tags
The Sno-Freighter control car was serial number 5198, while the 4 trailers were serial numbers 5199-5203. The serial number tag was pulled from the Sno-Freighter and rests safely framed on…
Overland Mark II Suspension Drawings
There was a request of Facebook for drawings of the suspension on the Overland Mark II, or as the military contract number was cites, the TC-497. These drawings are from…
Mobile Micro Reactors Resurrected from the Army’s Nuclear Power Program
In 1960, the Army’s Nuclear Power Program had completed several nuclear reactors for research and testing purposes. Their micro-reactor (MCR (MM-1)) expected outputs were 500-800kW (MCR) and 2,000-3,000kW (MM-1). The…
Sno-Train Testing in Houghton, MI
When the Sno-Train manufacturing was completed, it was sent to Houghton, MI for the Army to test capabilities. In the image shown below, you see two personnel checking trailer connection…