All aboard: Alaska Railroad announces nine finalists in Catch the Train Photo Contest

WASILLA — The Alaska Railroad recently announced that voting is now live for the nine finalists in the annual Catch the Train Photo Contest.

Online voting for the grand prize winner began Wednesday, Jan. 12, according to a recent press release. The 2022 finalists include nine contestants from seven states.

“Every year, we are excited to see contest submissions from our passengers and fans,” Alaska Railroad Marketing Communications Manager Meghan Clemens stated in the press release.

The nine finalists have already earned a spot in the Alaska Railroad’s 2023 calendar, according to the press release. They also received two round-trip tickets on a route of their choice.

The finalists’ photos were selected based on artistic merit, originality, subject, and style. Now, the public will have the opportunity to vote on the Alaska Railroad’s Facebook page for a grand prize winner.

The grand prize winner’s photograph will appear on the cover of the Alaska Railroad 2023 calendar. They will also receive a $1,500 cash prize along with four round-trip tickets on the Denali Star Train.

This annual contest has attracted hobbyist photographers from Alaska, Colorado, Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Idaho over the years.

“We received hundreds of photo entries this year, and it’s always challenging to narrow down to just a few select finalists. Now it’s up to the Alaska Railroad’s Facebook fans to decide who will win the grand prize,” Clemens stated in the press release.

Online voting for the Alaska Railroad’s Catch the Train Photo Contest is open from Jan. 12 through the 17th. It can be accessed through the official Alaska Railroad Facebook page. The grand prize winner will be announced on or around Jan. 19.

For additional information, visit alaskarailroad.com/catchthetrain.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com

Alaska Railroad Catch the Train Photo Contest finalists:

Michelle Sims, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Kayla Morgan, Wasilla, Alaska

Scott Adams, Richmond, Virginia

Donald Wendlandt, Weyauwega, Wisconsin

Pete Konefke, Huntington Woods, Michigan

Ken Edmier, Leesburg, Georgia.

Bryan Burton, Littleton, Colorado

MC Luchoj, Kodiak, Alaska

Brian Stuhr, Boise, Idaho