Spectacular Views From the Alaska Railroad

Comments Off on Spectacular Views From the Alaska Railroad

Everyone crowded into the train station like sardines. “Alllllllll Aboarrrd!” The conductor shouts. It rings through my head taking me back for a second to Model Ts chugging around, horse carriages pulling up to the station in a flurry of dust and activity while men in trousers, loose shirts, and hats lift trunks off of the carriage. Black coal smoke rises into the air, as the train is about to take off. I’m surrounded by steam engines, hard sided luggage, big trunks, and so many people.

I’m jostled around out of my daydream and back to the present, as a woman with a latte pushes into me. Next, the person in front of me stops to take a picture with his smartphone as I swerve out of the way at the last minute. And soon the crowd pours out of the Anchorage station and onto the tracks. The times have changed, but I believe that the level of excitement and anticipation is the same as decades ago.

There’s something exciting about boarding a train; the bustle, the sounds, the goodbyes, and the anticipation of what is to come. I clutch my camera as I step up onto the train excited to see the Alaskan landscape from a different perspective – a slow rolling one.

Alaska Railroad photography

My Secret Train Love

I have a secret love of trains. I actually owe trains and the railroad a great deal when it comes to the life I’m living now. My first job out of college was at Union Pacific Railroad in their Accounting Department. It was at UPRR where I learned how to be successful in corporate America, I learned about computers, which led to my career switch into IT. I learned about budgets, life in cubes, and I received my MBA thanks to UPRR.

But most importantly – I learned how to operate a train when I worked at Union Pacific. Yes, that’s right, I was a licensed train engineer. As a management employee I was required to get my train engineer and conductor license just in case the Union went on strike and they needed to put management to work to keep the railroad running.

But I left my UPRR hard hat in my storage unit along with my steel toed boots, and instead just had a camera with me for this trip. I wouldn’t be operating the train (or we’d all be in real trouble), I would be photographing the train and surrounding landscapes.

The Alaska Railroad is One of a Kind

Owned by the state and not connected via rail to any other North American railway, the Alaska Railroad is unique. It operates 4 routes along 470 miles of track carrying both freight and passengers. Plus, it operates the last known flag-stop service in the US on their Hurricane Turn Line. Rather than making scheduled station stops, the Hurricane Turn Line passengers between Talkeetna and Hurricane can wave a white cloth anywhere along the route and the train will stop to pick them up. This is a crucial offering to locals living in the remote backcountry of Alaska; their lifeline in a way. I didn’t take this route while I was in Alaska – but it’s on my list to return and flag it down…literally.

Alaska Railroad Travel

Alaska Railroad Service

As I walked up the stairs to the 2nd level to find my reserved seat, my car’s bartender greeted me. Yes, I had a railroad car bartender; I knew this was going to be a great day. I was traveling on Gold Star Class, and I wasn’t really sure what that meant – but apparently it meant that you had an open bar – and brunch.

If you are going to ride the Alaskan Railroad, then try to splurge on the Gold Star Class. Normally I’m not a proponent of 1st class travel, but I’m making an exception for this – because it’s a train. The Gold Star Class cars were windowed dome cars, which gave you the best possible view. I imagined it was sort of like flying in Wonder Woman’s invisible plane.

The entire time we had a ‘guide’ who provided commentary and history throughout the ride. They even gave you ample notice of the scenic spots upcoming for photos.

In addition, the Gold Star cars also had an outdoor ‘balcony’ on the back of the car where you could take photos unobstructed by glass. Even more than the unlimited booze and food, the outdoor space for photography was my favorite feature of the Gold Star Class.

Gold Star Class Alaska Railroad

Surrounded by windows.

Alaska railroad Gold Star Class
Alaska railroad Gold Star Class
Alaska railroad Gold Star Class
Alaska railroad Gold Star Class
Alaska railroad Gold Star Class

Landscape Photography via the Alaska Railroad

As we pulled out of the Anchorage Railroad Station, the whistle blows and the commuting scene out my large window gives way to pink sky that makes the mud flats outside of anchorage glimmer in the low morning light. This Coastal Classic route, from Anchorage to Seward, is often called ‘the most scenic route’ as it passes through fjords, glaciers, mountains, and tunnels. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time outside on the ‘balcony’ shooting photos between drinks and brunch.

Then again, the day I road the Denali Star route, from Fairbanks to Talkeetna, Mt. Denali decided to grace us with it’s presence, which apparently is pretty rare. The views of Denali National Park and it’s mountains, rivers, and bridges are also stunning.

Train Photography Tips:

  • Avoid shooting through glass if possible. OR – put your lens flat against it.
  • Don’t use flash
  • Wear dark colors to avoid the glare.
  • Since the landscape is moving quickly by you, make sure that you shutter speed is as fast as you can make it – 1/2000 if possible.
  • Take the Gold Star Class to get the best access to photography
Alaska railroad Coastal ClassicDawn light leaving Anchorage

Alaska railroad Denali Star
Alaska Railroad photography
Alaska railroad Coastal Classic
Alaska railroad Coastal Classic
Alaska railroad Coastal Classic

I think train travel is the best meditation there is. But the best part is…it’s a train. You gently rock back and forth, hear the whistle blow, let your mind daydream, and get to watch some of the most beautiful scenery in the US pass by your window.

Alaska Railroad Schedule & Information

Daily service mid May to mid September for the Denali Star and Coastal Classic Routes

Winter routes from Fairbanks to Anchorage are limited:

Weekend Service September 19, 2015 – May 8, 2016
Northbound: Saturdays
Southbound: Sundays

Do you love trains?  What’s your dream destination to see by train?  Share in the comments below!
Disclosure: I was a guest of Alaska Tourism on this trip however all opinions here are my own.

Read More Share

Recent Author Posts

Join Our Community

Connect On Social Media

Most Popular Posts

We Blog The World

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share this post with your friends!