Corry RAILS

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Miners struck gold in Alaska in 1898, and in the years that followed, business boomed. Newly arrived miners pushed inland to find their own fortunes, but the land was unsuitable for roads, so the solution became a hardy but light-weight railroad line. Of those created for the Alaskan tundra, eight flat cars were ordered and made in Corry, along with four locomotives — including the Climax A-313 and A-315 — which were delivered in 1902. As gold dwindled, mining towns died, and the A-313 was abandoned from about 1910-1969. All Climax engines were manufactured in Corry, so when local locomotive enthusiasts found out the Climax A-313 the saved from the scrap yard and existed in Alaska still, it was their goal to finish restoring it. Corry Rail and Industrial Legacy Society (RAILS) was formed in 2016 to find unique items to bring back to town for display. Their first project was born — purchase the rare Climax A and bring it back to town. The team of dedicated individuals thought the town’s history, driven largely by the railroad industry, was a crucial element of understanding Corry’s future and have an awareness and respect for its past. In 2020, the A-313 arrived back home at Corry is various parts and visits to Alaska. Fundraising efforts continue as the team works to house the only Climax A restored to its original state. Corry RAILS is always looking for new members to share in its dedication to working on extremely rare parts of history and telling the story of the Corry community and its significance to the nation’s locomotive industry.