Old Timer Spotlight: Jack the Engineer
We rode with Jack the Engineer around the club track a time or two. We also spoke with him a few times as he paused on his work train runs. He is a hard one to catch has he is hauling ballast here and there. As we rode another train around we could catch glimpses of him hauling gravel in Seward one time and Portage another time.
Engineer Jack has loved trains most of his life. He's also been around the current track from way back. He can't quite remember how old he was when he first came out to the Alaska Central Railroad track, but he remembers they were working on the Portage Siding!
When asked how long he's been a member, he smiles and says: "All my life!"
But don't be confused, he really is telling the truth. You see Jack Pappas is 15!
Here's young Jack working on the track circa 1998. He's the one with the shovel (in the green shirt).
Here's the older Jack pulling the work train with Engine 3604.
When we asked Jim Pappas (Jack's father) what is his favorite thing about coming out to the Alaska Live Steamers, he answered riding the trains!
When we asked Jack what is his favorite thing about coming out to the Alaska Live Steamers, he answered DRIVING the trains!
He was ruined at at the young age of 2 when his family discovered a train hermit living squeeded between Pioneer Peak and the Knik River. Many people have met Marty and Agnes Quaas their showing of their Mooselip display (most recently scene at the train depot in Palmer for Colony Days).
