Marty Quaas, Photos by BJ and Roy Foster
The annual Winter Festival known as the Rondy ran from February 27th through March 8th. With a total lack of snow in Anchorage, the attendance for this years Fur Rendezvous was down from that of previous years. Many of the crowd drawing events such as the Sprint Dog Races and Cross Country Skiing had to be canceled. This lead to lower than usual visitor attendance at the Model Railroad events at the Alaska Railroad Depot and at Russian Jack Springs Park. However those that did attend were given a great show at both venues.
The Military club at the Alaska Depot estimated 5000 visitors, many coming back several times. In Russian Jack Springs Park, with no other events in the park to draw crowds, the attendance this year was around 700, mostly of regular visitors.
Future Model Railroaders are watching Thomas at the Alaska Railroad Depot.
At the Alaska Railroad Depot, the crowds are watching the N Scale trains on the right and HOn3 trains to the left.
Youngsters are watching the Z Scale display at the Alaska Railroad Depot.
A family is watching the HO Trains at the Northern Lights Model Railroad Club in Russian Jack Springs Park.