Want to know what it’s like riding the Alaska Railroad?
Welcome aboard the Alaska Railroad. The popular main line stretches all the way from Seward
to Fairbanks, covering a distance of 470 miles. Throughout its passage, the railroad connects
communities from interior Alaska and the Southcentral region.
Completed in 1923, the Alaska Railroad is more used today than it was previously. It
took nine years to create this long and massive railroad, which was inaugurated by President
Warren G. Harding on his visit to Alaska. In 1943, the railroad expanded to include
12 more miles into the total distance. Today, it goes all the way to Whittier, a small town
filled with natural beauty and scenic views. The rail road is open all year round, although
the schedule is different in every season. It’s busier in the summer months, from May
to September, while the crowd gets smaller from September onward. However, keep in mind
that there’s one departure every day, so I’d suggest booking your ticket well ahead
of time. Meanwhile, you can book a weekend train from
Anchorage to Fairbanks, enjoying the views outside. Booking a seat is pretty simple as
you can book from the Alaska Railroad Corporation. It’s also possible to book a seat from companies
with the corporation, such as Denali Rail Tours, The Wilderness Express, and Princess
Rail Tours. History
The magnificence of the rail road has been accomplished after years of construction and
renovation. The construction of Alaska rail road began in 1903 when the Alaska Central
Railway built a 50-mile rail road starting from Seward.
In 1910, the railway was extended up to 71 miles from Seward while the Alaska Central
Railway was renamed Alaska Northern Railway Co. Three years later, in 1914, the US Congress
agreed to finance the construction of a railroad to Fairbanks.
The project was estimated at 35 million dollars, and its headquarters were established in Anchorage.
By 1923, the rail road was fully constructed. President Warren Harding marked the completion
of the project by driving the golden spike in the ground. By the 1930s, there was enough
population in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Seward to keep the rail road in business.
However, the revenue was only sufficient enough to keep the rail road operational.
Then, the main line had the first ever profitable year in 1938. Following that, the Alaskan
rail road earned huge profits by transporting military supplies and materials.
The rail road played a major role in transportation during the second world war. Thus, it’s
a remnant of that horrific period. In 1943, the corporation built two tunnels
via the Chugach Mountains to give the rail road access to Whitter.
At that time, Whittier was an important town since it’s a military port and the Alaska
Railroad was imperative in supporting the war efforts.
The very next year, Whittier opened another rail road port as steam engines were replaced
by diesel machines. 1966 marks the year when the last steam engine
left the rail road, and it became completely operational on diesel.
What is a passenger train today wasn’t always working on this model. In 1981, the rail road
formed an agreement with the career centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks school districts
to initiate a tour guide program for high school students.
The aim of this program was to train the kids how to host passengers on trains. Just three
years later, the Alaskan rail road took a step towards the classiness that it exudes
today. In 1984, the rail road accepted contracts
for the double-decker luxury coaches. The next year, the state of Alaska acquired the
rail road as its property. In the years that followed, the rail road was often blocked
due to flooding and other weather elements, but it resumed nonetheless.
In 2002, the Alaska rail road generated 11 million dollars in revenue for the first time.
Also, the authorities started a program to use software technology to reduce noise production
and diesel emissions. The most successful year in the history of
the rail road was 2003 when revenue of 14.5 million dollars was generated. Today, the
rail road serves as a communication channel between the adjoining towns and is frequented
by tourists visiting Alaska. Routes
The Alaska Rail road starts from Seward and reaches Anchorage in 4.5 hours. From there,
it sets off for Talkeetna, where it reaches in 3 hours. The distance between Talkeetna
and Denali is 4.5 hours. Denali is known nationally for its beauty
and stunning views. However, you shouldn’t expect to spot Denali mountain since it’s
only visible for a few weeks every year. The highlight feature of Denali is the National
Park. If you plan on seeing the whole park in one go, hop on the shuttle to take you
around the park. Or, if you’re with a group or family, take the van tour since it has
fewer passengers. Another way to discover the park is by renting
a bike. But if you’re feeling really adventurous and want to take in the beauty of Denali from
atop, book a flightseeing tour. Sitting on that plane or helicopter, you’ll see the
tundra vegetation and glaciers underneath. It’s an experience of a lifetime - no exaggeration
there. Some tours even let you land on a glacier. How cool is that?
If you plan on spending more time near the water, go for rafting in the Nenana River.
You can either choose a guided tour where the guide takes over the boat or book a tour
where everyone gets hold of a paddle to navigate the boat.
Whichever you choose, the view of snow-capped peaks from the middle of the water is bound
to make you feel at peace. Once you’ve soaked in enough of Denali,
hop back on the rail road and go to the last stop - Fairbanks. It’s a four-hour train
ride that takes you through nature, including the alpine forests and mountainous peaks.
Make sure you get the window seat and charge your phone’s battery fully because you’re
going to want to capture the glaciers and mountains you see outside.
Sometimes, you may even spot wildlife outside the window.
Among all routes, the one between Anchorage and Seward is considered the most visually
pleasant, but every route on the rail road is more breathtaking than your everyday train
ride. If you want to cover Denali and Fairbanks,
take the Denali Star. It’s a 12-hour route going every day in summer from Anchorage to
Fairbanks. Likewise, another train covers this distance
in reverse at the end of the day. To give yourself a break from sitting, head
over to the Denali National Park or catch a bite at the stops in Talkeetna and Wasilla.
If you’re lucky enough to be traveling on a clear day, you might catch the sight of
the Denali Mountain, which is the tallest mountain in North America.
Along with the popular river, some other sights in the way include the Savage River and the
Mountain Vista. While you’re sitting in your carriage looking
out of the window, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature on all sides.
The views get even better at sunset, and you might spot the sun setting behind one of the
peaks. If you’re planning to take a daytrip, get
on the Glacier Discovery train since it offers a convenient round-trip, taking you from Anchorage
to Whitter. The train stops at Girdwood for some time
so you can take pictures or get a coffee before continuing your trip.
This route, just like the one taken by the Denali Star, is also filled with beautiful
views of the trees, water, and mountains. It’s not very often that you find all elements
of nature in one place, but that’s what makes the Alaska Rail Road unique.
Overall, the trains are very comfortable, and the routes offer stunning views of the
Alaskan south side. You can choose between Adventure Class or
GoldStar Services, depending on the route you’re taking.
Plus, the trains have wheelchair access, non-smoking cars, and baggage service in Fairbanks, Talkeetna,
Anchorage, and Denali. If you want to book your ticket or check the
fare, all the information is available on the Alaska rail road website.
Also, you can check the train schedules for different seasons to avoid any disappointment
since some routes are only available every other day in winters.
With that, I’ll be signing off. When the glorious natural views of the Alaskan rail
road’s routes attract you into coming to Alaska - and I know they will - share your
experience with me in the comment sections below.