The Railroad Tourist
A State-By-State Guide
A State-By-State Guide
Alaska
Copyright: J. Craig Thorpe (used with permission)
Anchorage; ALASKA RAILROAD CORPORATION (http://www.alaskarailroad.com); 411 West First Avenue; 800/544-0552 or 907/265-2494: Year-around, this working railroad offers schedules, tour packages, trains, and equipment that vary seasonally. NOTES: 1]. Most trips originate or terminate at Anchorage, with various cities served depending of season and schedule.
__________; COMFORT INN SHIP CREEK (http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-anchorage-alaska-AK006); 111 West Ship Creek Drive; 907.277.6887: Year-around, overlooks the Alaska Railroad, light traffic, ask for front rooms. NOTES: 1]. The hotel is within 1/4-mile of the Tony Knowles Coastal Rail Trail.
__________; TONY KNOWLES COASTAL BICYCLE TRAIL (http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aktrails/ats/anc/knowlsct.htm); West 2nd Avenue at H Street (Anchorage) to Raspberry Road (Kincaid Outdoor Center); 907/343-4355: 11 miles, paved. Parallels the Alaska Railroad for approximately 1 mile out of Anchorage. NOTES: 1]. Offers views of Anchorage, Cook Inlet and Knik Arm, surrounding mountains.Fairbanks; TANANA VALLEY RAILROAD (www.ftvrr.org); 2300 Airport Way; 907.459.7421: Seasonal, daily, railroad building (built in 2005), equipment, excursions, displays. NOTES: 1]. Operates a restored narrow-gauge Porter 0-4-0 built in 1899; 2]. Restoration shops open to visitors.
Fairbanks; AURORA EXPRESS BED & BREAKFAST (http://www.fairbanksalaskabedandbreakfast.com); 1540 Chena Ridge Road; 800.221.0073 or 907.474.0949: Seasonal, daily, NOTES: 1]. Consists of authentic Alaska Railroad cars with rooms renovated to historical periods, plus a caboose.
__________; CROOKED CREEK & WHISKEY ISLAND RAILROAD (http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark/attractions/museums/crooked_creek_railroad.htm); 2300 Airport Way; 907.459.1087: Seasonal and special occasions, regular schedule/varying schedule, equipment, excursions, displays. NOTES: 1]. A narrow gauge gas or steam train that operates around Pioneer Park, a theme park portraying Alaska’s history and culture.
__________; TANANA VALLEY RAILROAD (www.ftvrr.org); 2300 Airport Way; 907.459.7421: Seasonal, daily, railroad building (built in 2005), equipment, excursions, displays. NOTES: 1]. Operates a restored narrow-gauge Porter 0-4-0 built in 1899; 2]. Restoration shops open to visitors.
Girdwood; BIRD TO GIRD PATHWAY (http://www.traillink.com/trail/bird-to-gird-pathway.aspx); Alyeska Highway off Seward Highway (Alaska Route 1);: 13 miles, paved. Adjoins Alaska Railroad right-of-way, at places using former highway route, offering views of mountains, glaciers and the Turnagain Arm waterway. NOTES: There are other parking locations along the route of the trail.
Healy; GRANDE DENALI LODGE (http://www.denalialaska.com/grande-denali-lodge/); Mile Post 238, Parks Highway; 866.683.8500 or 907.683.5100: Seasonal, overlooks the Alaska Railroad (about 1 mile distant), light traffic, ask for View Rooms. NOTES: 1]. Overlooks Denali Canyon and is located less than a mile from the entrance to Alaska’s Mt. McKinley/Denali National Park.
Indian; BIRD TO GIRD PATHWAY; Seward Highway (Alaska Route 1): NOTE: Approximately 10 miles southeast of Anchorage. SEE Girdwood.
Skagway; WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE (http://www.wpyr.com); 231 Second Avenue; 800/343-7373 or 907/983-2217: Seasonal, daily and varying schedules, equipment, excursions (some steam powered), displays. NOTES: 1]. Narrow-gauge route (shown above) built in 1898, it clings to cliffs as it climbs 3,000 feet in 20 miles, around tight curves and up grades as steep as 3.9%, navigating numerous bridges/trestles and two tunnels; 2]. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark; 3]. Offers selected motor coach and train combination excursions, as well as a hikers service and rail-and-sail packages.
Talkeetna; CHASE TRAIL (http://www.traillink.com/trail/chase-trail.aspx); off Railroad Avenue: 14 miles, gravel and dirt. Adjoins Alaska Railroad right-of-way for a portion of its run out to the encampment of Chase. NOTE: At the base of Mt. McKinley, it traverses a sparsely populated region.
__________; FIREWEED STATION INN (http://www.fireweedstation.com); 15113 East Sunshine Road; 888/647-1457 or 907/733-1457: Year-around, bed-and-breakfast. NOTES: 1]. Ex-big game hunting and fishing lodge built in 1946; 2]. Once accessible only via Alaska Railroad, it remains a flag stop September-May today, and by scheduled service to Talkeetna, and is accessible by road.
Wasilla; MUSEUM OF ALASKA TRANSPORTATION & INDUSTRY (http://www.museumofalaska.org); 3800 West Museum Drive; 907/376-1211: Seasonal, daily, regular hours, railroad buildings, equipment, displays. NOTES: 1]. The Museum focuses on all forms of transportation to impact Alaska’s history.
HELP! OUR WORK IS DONE AND WE’RE STILL LOOKING FOR: Restaurants set in restored railroad equipment, station restaurants, trackside eateries, and information on the Wind Valley Lodge.
