Cruise and Ride the Rails of the Scenic Alaska Railroad
A vacation exploring the northernmost US state may be completed by adding, to your cruise, an extended tour of the land locked areas by way of the Alaskan Rail. The Alaska Railroad started in 1903 as a short stretch of tracks originating in the port town of Seward. Completion of the Railroad in 1923 was one of the most defining events in the state's history.For the first time, people and freight moved freely and securely through the enormous Alaskan wilderness. People and supplies could cruise northward from Seattle. Arriving at an Alaskan port, all transferred to the rail system for delivery across the state. This caused a boom in several tiny towns now bustling population centers, including Anchorage and Fairbanks. You can catch more than your cruise from these great cities.
The Alaska Railroad connected the territory to the lower 48 states becoming vital, during WWII, to the transfer of critical troops and supplies into the military bases there. The war effort also required extension of its services by tunnel to the city of Whittier.
The Benefits of a Rail Tour
In 1985, Alaska purchased the railroad from the Federal government. The state embarked on a series of improvements to make the railroad system as a more comfortable and enjoyable means of travel for visitors to the state as their famous cruises.
The 611 miles of track run from Seward, in the south, northwards to the end of the line in Eielson, just east of Fairbanks. A side route cuts through the mountains and that WWII era tunnel to visit the port town of Whittier. You see quite a different part of Alaska than from your cruise ship.
On the way, the Alaska Railroad passes through some of the state's most beautiful countryside. You'll see fjords, glaciers, tunnels and river crossings. The Denali National Park, the 700-foot long Mears Memorial Bridge and the Nenana River Gorge are accessible for visitors. By adding a rail tour, you see these incredible sites from both the perspective of the water, on a cruise, and from land on the train.
Spectacular Views
The Railroad features domed glass-topped passenger cars that give you
the best possible views of the fantastic scenery. The luxury
of
the passenger cars is world-class, with reclining seats, picture
windows, and dining rooms furnished with original Alaskan
artwork. A cruise is not the only place for pampered service
and
food. The level of service has won awards in addition to accolades from
happy travelers.Tour guides, on both cruise and rail, shed light on the history and culture of the cities along the line. They point out unusual aspects of the local geography, flora and fauna, and other points of interest you might miss on your own.
To round out your vacation, local travel companies provide you with extraordinary excursion options like dog sledding, gold panning, glacier hikes, fly-fishing opportunities, and short cruises. You could even take a special event train or cruise with fun themes such as the Blues Train, the Easter Train, and the Beer Train.