The Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad has been instrumental in the survival of
rural Alaskans and America's Last Frontier for nearly 100 years.
Spanning from the port town of Seward on the Gulf of Alaska to
Fairbanks in the heart of the state, this rail line successfully
transports more than 5 million tons of freight and 400,000
passengers annually. Travelers can choose between five routes in
Alaska:
- Coastal Classic - Travels between Anchorage,
Girdwood, and Seward
- Glacier Discovery - Connects Anchorage and
Grandview with stops in Girdwood, Whittier, Portage, and
Spencer
- Denali Star - A route between Anchorage and
Fairbanks, stopping in Denali, Talkeetna, and Wasilla
- Hurricane Turn - Follows a summer route
between Hurricane and Talkeetna and a winter route that includes
Hurricane, Talkeetna, Wasilla, and Anchorage
- Aurora Winter - Travels in the winter season
only and connects Anchorage and Fairbanks by way of Wasilla,
Talkeetna, and Healy
The Alaska Railroad has accumulated numerous awards throughout
the years. In 2010, National Geographic Traveler noted this railway
as one of the Top 10 North American Train Trips. USA Today Travel
offered a similar designation in 2015, calling the line one of the
10 Best Train Trips in the U.S. Trip Advisor awarded the railway a
Certificate of Excellence in 2015, and the National Tour
Association presented the Alaska Railroad with Gold Medal
designation in 2016. Additionally, the line has also earned Green
Star Award Certification, thanks to its green efforts: reducing
water and energy consumption and making efforts to curb emissions
and provide outstanding air quality.