As we moved ahead on the journey, we stopped briefly outside Talkeetna for another train to pass. (Remember, it’s a single track system with a few sidings along the way. Certain trains have priority. When this happens, our train moves to the siding, allowing the priority train to pass. I like to think of it as a dance on the tracks. Carefully orchestrated timing amongst several trains.)

As we chug along to Anchorage, it’s pretty quiet on the train. The rail guide not narrating much. I’m looking for animals.

Given that no one was injured, I reflect on how the ATV incident was exciting. It adds to the adventure of riding the rails. I think back on last summer. The adventures I had. (You can read about them in this blog! The blog is arranged most recent post backwards.).

We stop briefly at the Anchorage Depot to drop off trash. It is easier to drop it here than to take it to Whittier and have to deal with it there. Also, we’re dropping off a couple employees.

As we are leaving the Anchorage Depot, we weave through some neighborhoods as we head to Whittier. We are only traveling about 30 MPH.

Suddenly I hear the horn again. Several blasts. And we stop.

I run down the stairs to find out what has happened. From the platform, I can see a dog laying in the grass. It’s owner hugging the dog and crying. One of my employees yells out that we’ve hit a dog.

My mind is trying to make sense of this. The dog is whimpering and has a wound on its hip. The owner has the dog’s blood on his face from holding him. Occasionally the dog tries to get up. People on the ground are gathering to help.

I think to myself that if we hit the dog, he’d be in worse shape. The wound also appears to be a puncture wound. Still, I’m sad. I don’t like that the dog is injured. I’m sad for the owner. A young man.

I see the conductor assessing the situation. Soon we are on our way again. Emergency services have been called and there is nothing more we can do.

The dog incident makes me somber. It is an adventure but it’s tragic. Not one that I’m fond of. I pray for the dog and owner. I want to know that the dog is going to be okay.

We arrive at the Port and the guests disembark. After we’ve cleaned our car we get on the bus to head back to the rail yard.

On the bus, I’m sitting in the front near one of the onboard managers. The OBM tells the story of the dog. Here is what happened according to the OBM.

The white dog was being attacked by a stray German Shepherd. The German Shepherd bit the dog and chased it. The injured dog ran onto the tracks. The owner grabbed the dog and rolled away from the train. Just missing it. The train stopped as the conductor checked the train for any damage and the dog and owner.

I wish I knew if the dog made it. It seemed alert. This event definitely made me ready for a few days off!

Tomorrow, Thursday, Derek and I are both off. Then I am on my own for two days.