ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A train has arrived in Alaska's largest city with a highly unusual shipment - tons of fresh snow.
The seven freight cars full of snow came in Thursday, and Anchorage needs it to host the ceremonial start of the world's most famous sled dog race this weekend.
Iditarod organizers have been forced to dramatically shorten the fan-friendly event as persistent above-freezing temperatures the last few weeks have melted much of the city's snow.
The shipment will be used to provide a picturesque ground cover on the streets for the ceremonial start. Alaska Railroad spokesman Tim Sullivan says the snow sent 360 miles from Fairbanks is enough to fill a football field by 2 to 3 inches.
The competitive kickoff of the 1,000-mile race is Sunday, 50 miles to the north.
