Alaska Railroad

Welcome to the historic grounds of the Alaska Railroad depot in Anchorage. As you stand outside the imposing station, the brisk, biting cold of an early Alaskan morning greets you. …

As we linger here in the plaza just outside the depot entrance, take a moment to look at the ground beneath your feet and the sweeping landscape descending toward the water. This specific area, nestled against the banks of Ship…

Stepping through the heavy double doors, we escape the freezing outdoor air and enter the main ticketing hall of the Anchorage depot. The atmosphere in here at six o'clock in the morning is surprisingly electric. …

Moving just past the main ticketing counters, we find ourselves in the depot's dedicated provisions area, anchored by a bustling gift shop and a small, highly popular cafe corner. The rich, comforting aroma of freshly brewed hot…

Stepping through the heavy glass exit doors, we leave the warmth of the ticketing hall and emerge onto the sweeping, concrete expanse of the outdoor boarding platform. The transition is bracing; the freezing morning air bites at…

Climbing the steep metal stairs into the first passenger carriage, we enter the domain of the Adventure Class coaches. The immediate sensation is one of profound relief as the powerful, hissing heaters of the carriage envelop you…

Continuing our walk through the slowly swaying train, passing through the noisy, rattling metal vestibules that connect the carriages, we arrive at the bustling heart of the train's social life: the Wilderness Cafe and the main…

Pushing through another set of heavy interior doors, the environment instantly transforms as we enter the exclusive domain of the premium Gold Star service. You can immediately identify these specialized carriages from the…

Ascending the narrow, curving staircase from the lower lounge, we reach the absolute pinnacle of the Alaska Railroad experience: the second-story, open-air observation deck. Stepping out onto this metal platform is an assault on…

As our walking tour of the depot and the magnificent train carriages concludes, and you take your final seat while the train gathers speed out of the Anchorage yards, it is vital to reflect on the monumental scale of what you are…