This year's print by Sue Dranchak depicts a view of a passenger train traveling through Healy Canyon from the vantage point of a vestibule.

Begun in 1979, an official painting has been produced each year except in 1984. The paintings are reproduced to offset the costs of producing the state-owned railroad's annual report, said Patrick Flynn, the railroad's public affairs officer.

Dranchak, a railroader, is the first employee to win the annual competion. She started at the railroad in 1995, working as a baggage handler at Denali Park. She currently works as a mechanical laborer in Fairbanks.

"The experiece is really special for me," said Dranchak. "I put myself through college working at the railroad."

Dranchak earned an art degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks last year. She produced paintings of trains for her senior thesis exhibition.

The railroad will produce 750 prints and 4,500 posters of the painting. Lapel pins also are available.

Prints cost $50; posters $25; and lapel pins are $5, Flynn said.

A committee each year selects an artist from about two dozen entries, Flynn said. Winning artists are paid $3,000.

The paintings have featured some of Alaska's best-known artists and are prized by people from around the world, Flynn said.

The first official Alaska Railroad painting was done in 1979 by John Van Zyle. Susan Ogle has four winning prints and Richard Rodriquez has three. Other winning artists include Jarrett J. Jester, Deanna Brandon, Don Kolstad, Gary Mealor, Tom Stewart, Shane Lamb, Steve Gordon, Armond Kirschbaum, Dan Miller, Robert Silvers and James Havens.

Dranchak said she is in good company and believes her painting will give her some "exposure."

"I want to pursue an art career and I hope this opens up some doors," Dranchak said. "If not, I have a good day job already."