Press Release
March 9, 2005

KUAC TV 9 AND ALASKA ONE TO BROADCAST
KLONDIKE ALASKA: A RAIL HISTORY

FAIRBANKS, AK KUAC TV 9, a member of Alaska Public Television, is pleased to present this historical documentary produced and directed by KUACs Mark Cosson.

This chronicle of man and machines struggle to move mountains will premiere on Wednesday, March 9 at 8:30 p.m. on Alaska One.

Throughout the modern history of Alaska and the Yukon, railroads have been an integral part of the building of these territories. When most people think of railroads in Alaska, they think of Alaska Railroad and White Pass & Yukon Railroad. Nevertheless, there were over 24 other railroads that laid tracks and operated for at least a year in Alaska, the Yukon and British Columbia. These railroads operated from the dense rain forests of Southeast Alaska to the open tundra of the Seward Peninsula and ranged from a mile to over 500 miles in length.

Klondike Alaska: A Rail History chronicles the struggles of the men and machines who moved mountains often in subzero temperatures.

The railroad has a rich history in Alaska and the stories are fascinating, said Greg Petrowich, General Manager of KUAC and President of Alaska One. Were pleased we could bring this story to the TV screen and present it to the entire state.

TV Producer, Mark Cosson came to work at KUAC as a documentary video producer in
January 2000. His production credits include: Merging Destinies, If We Dance: The Story of the Intertribal Pow Wow, Inside Alaska, and Live from the Aurora. In his spare time, Mark collects antique cars and trucks and works as an engineer on an historic steam locomotive in Fairbanks Pioneer Park. This was the work of my lifetime to document the thing I love the most, railroads! said Producer Mark Cosson.

Serving Interior Alaska, KUAC TV 9 FM 89.9 Alaska One, public radio and public television is a multiple-media organization with a mission to provide quality noncommercial programming and services that enlighten, inspire, educate and entertain. KUAC is licensed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

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