Top Alaska Rail Services

If you love trains, this is a trip that you don't want to miss! Whether on the Wilderness Express or the Denali GoldStar, your experience is just fantastic! Seeing the landscape and wildlife while riding the train is incredible! You are catered to in every way, which is lovely!

After an incredible overnight stay in the charming town of Talkeetna, we headed back to the depot for the second segment of our journey. Checking in at the dedicated Wilderness Express area was incredibly smooth. As we waited on the platform, anticipation built until I saw the massive luxury dome car rolling into the station, and I managed to capture a great video of its arrival.Once on board, we were greeted warmly by an exceptional hosting team. In a wonderful twist of fate, our bartender turned out to be the exact same person who would later serve us on our final leg from Denali to Fairbanks! Shortly after departing Talkeetna, we headed down to the dining car for lunch. We ended up sharing a table with a lovely couple who, by an amazing coincidence, lived just about an hour north of where we live! We had a wonderful time swapping stories about our home area as the Alaskan landscape began to unfold outside.The quiet rhythm of the train broke when the conductor announced our approach to Hurricane Gulch. I learned it originally earned its name from early railroad crews because the deep, narrow gorge acts like a natural wind tunnel, funneling powerful, howling gales even when the surrounding forests are completely calm. Eager to escape the window glare, I grabbed my camera and stepped out onto the open-air viewing platform downstairs. The air was crisp, sharp, and cold. As the train rolled out over the 918-foot steel arch structure, I looked straight down into a dizzying drop to the rocky creek bed below. Holding my breath, I snapped photos of the jaw-dropping gorge as it opened up toward the distant, cloud-shrouded peaks. Not long after clearing the drop at Hurricane Gulch, the train continued its steady climb through the wilderness. Along this stretch, we passed a scenic beaver pond, giving us a great view of nature's engineers.By mid-afternoon, our luxury dome car had climbed steadily to Broad Pass—the absolute roof of the Alaska Railroad system. Here, the dense forests parted, giving way to an endless expanse of alpine tundra. I looked out and captured one of my favorite photos of the whole journey. It was a perfect subarctic autumn tapestry: slender, resilient black spruce trees scattered across a blazing, fiery patchwork quilt of reds, oranges, and deep purples as the low-lying tundra shrubs changed for the season. I captured the rustic facade of the Cantwell Lodge, a historic property located along the Denali Highway in Cantwell, Alaska.Continuing past the area, our view provided a prominent, highly visible example of the massive spruce bark beetle outbreak currently affecting Denali National Park and Preserve. We looked out and saw large swaths of trees that had been killed by the beetles. Due to milder winter temperatures, this native beetle population has surged, rapidly infecting and killing the white spruce trees throughout the region. The stark results were highly visible from our seats—widespread patches of standing gray and mousy-brown dead trees stretching across the landscape around Cantwell, Carlo Creek, and Healy.The train crested the peak of Broad Pass and began its northern descent. In this stretch, the railroad closely parallels and repeatedly crosses the expansive, glacial gravel bars of the Nenana River canyon. Leaving the high alpine flats behind, the train began its final descent as the valleys narrowed sharply. I photographed the rugged landscape of Nenana Canyon. The scene perfectly captured the silty, glacially fed Nenana River in the foreground, slopes featuring a mix of green taiga forest alongside a band of darker, sparse spruce trees also impacted by the beetle outbreak, and steep, rocky mountain terrain rising in the background with mist clinging near the peaks.Closer to the canyon, the river running directly outside our window became the Middle Fork Chulitna River. From this vantage point, we could see local properties nestled at Mile 231 of the George Parks Highway: the red roofs of the Denali Park Village resort complex clustered near the trees on the left side of the train, sitting directly across the clearing and down the road from the green-roofed Denali Grizzly Bear Resort on the right.Just minutes before pulling into the station, the train followed a sharp, looping curve directly along the scenic edge of Horseshoe Lake on our left. Finally, right on time, the brakes hissed to a smooth stop at the log-cabin Denali National Park Depot. Stepping off the train into the cool heart of the subarctic, I looked back at the dome cars, deeply grateful to have captured such a pristine slice of Alaska on a perfect September afternoon. Ahead of us lay two full days of incredible wilderness exploration—a visit to the Denali National Park Sled Dog Demonstration, a ride on the green transit bus out to Mile 43, and our unforgettable view of Mt. Denali—all were perfectly lined up to the fullness of our time in Denali.

At 4:00 PM on 9/6/2025, we boarded our premium, privately owned Wilderness Express Car, which was seamlessly attached to the rear of the northbound Alaska Railroad Denali Star train bound for Fairbanks. While many travelers default to the state-run railroad’s official GoldStar Service, the Wilderness Express wins hands-down when it comes to pure passenger comfort. Instead of rigid, non-reclining fabric seats, these cars feature wide, plush, custom leather seats that both rotate and fully recline. On a long journey through the interior, this extra level of comfort makes a massive difference. Furthermore, because these cars are coupled at the very end of the train, you get the iconic "caboose view." We could look backward through the magnificent, 360-degree curved glass dome roof and watch the entire train snake gracefully around canyon curves behind us.The check-in and boarding procedure were remarkably organized and easy to spot. At the depot, we looked for their prominent white feather flags, which clearly display the official circular logo for the Wilderness Express luxury glass-dome rail service. The logo features their distinct round crest with a mountain silhouette in the center and the words "Wilderness Express" wrapped around it. These custom banners are placed directly alongside the dedicated "WEX" portable boarding stairs at depots like the Anchorage, Talkeetna Train Station and Denali Depot, so passengers can instantly see exactly where to line up and board the private luxury cars attached to the back of the train.Shortly after leaving the Denali National Park, the train began winding through the tight, rocky cliffs of the Healy Canyon (the Nenana River Gorge). Looking up through our glass dome, we passed right beneath the famous Moody Bridge (affectionately called the "Windy Bridge" by locals). Spanning 900 feet across the inner gorge and standing 174 feet high, it is the highest highway bridge on the Parks Highway, earning its nickname because intense mountain winds frequently clock up to 120 mph through this narrow gap. Our train moved directly along a sheer, craggy rock face near the historic Moody Tunnel, ducking under the highway before exiting the canyon near the mining town of Healy.As the dense canyon walls gave way, the landscape opened up into Alaska's vast interior. From our windows, we captured incredible views of the wide Nenana River valley, characterized by expansive gravel bars and winding streams thick with gray glacial silt. The amenities onboard kept us perfectly relaxed. The car features a full-service bar right on the upper level, serving premium wines, local Alaskan craft beers, and specialty espresso drinks directly to your seat. For a meal, passengers can head down to the private, lower-level dining room for a sit-down restaurant experience featuring a menu prepared fresh onboard. Best of all, it is an a-la-carte system—you only pay for what you want, which is perfect if you prefer a light snack over a heavy three-course meal. There is also a spacious, open-air viewing platform on the lower level, allowing you to step outside, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and capture perfect, glare-free photographs of the landscape.Further along the tracks, our train rolled into the historic town of Nenana. Looking out across the water, we could see the George Parks Highway bridges spanning the river—specifically the Shirley Demientieff Memorial Bridge and the Alaska Native Veterans' Honor Bridge (Jack Coghill Bridge). On a rare, perfectly clear day like the one we were blessed with, Mount Denali could actually be spotted far off to the south from this vantage point.As we slowed through town, we passed directly by the Alfred Starr Nenana Cultural Center sitting right on the banks of the Nenana River, with the heavily forested Nenana Ridge rising prominently across the water. The center beautifully highlights local Athabascan heritage with native arts, crafts, and historical displays. Seeing the river reminded us of the world-famous Nenana Ice Classic, the town's historic spring betting game where people guess the exact minute the winter ice will break.Soon, our train began rolling over the signature steel truss structure of the massive Mears Memorial Bridge. Spanning the Tanana River, it stands as one of the largest simple truss-type bridges in the world. This spot holds incredible history; it is where President Warren G. Harding traveled on July 15, 1923, to drive the ceremonial Golden Spike, marking the official completion of the 470-mile Alaska Railroad. Sitting in our car, we watched the massive steel trusses reflect in the glass as we crossed over the expansive, silt-laden waters.What truly elevated this journey was the exceptional service from our onboard hosts. They provided continuous, engaging live narration regarding the region's gold rush history, Native culture, and geology. They are also highly trained to scan the horizon for wildlife, immediately calling out sightings of moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and eagles so you never miss a photo opportunity. They handle seat assignments and luggage storage seamlessly, maintaining a quiet, relaxed, and intimate atmosphere throughout the car.As we neared the end of our route and entered the outskirts of the city, the tracks took us right past the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) campus. From the upper windows of our dome car, our hosts pointed out the prominent buildings on the ridge, including the Geophysical Institute and the striking UA Museum of the North. It was the perfect final landmark to see from the rails, bringing an unforgettable and beautifully seamless Alaskan journey to a close as we pulled into the Fairbanks Depot.From the premium amenities to the exceptional service from our hosts, the Wilderness Express made our journey through the interior absolutely unforgettable. Ultimately, our meticulous advance planning paid off perfectly, turning a complex public transit itinerary into a flawless, independent adventure.

Great train ride. Very clean and comfortable train. Worth the price

There are trips that show you a place, and then there are journeys that completely immerse you in them. For me, the Coastal Classic train from Seward to Anchorage was exactly that, a bucket-list experience that lived up to every single expectation. Stepping onto the 6:00 PM train on September 2nd, 2025, I had no idea that the next four hours would unfold like a perfectly timed cinematic masterpiece.As we pulled away, the journey began along the familiar shores of Resurrection Bay before transitioning into the striking, silt-heavy turquoise waters of Kenai Lake. I looked out my window as that vibrant water stretched on for 16 stunning miles. Soon, the landscape transformed as the train began its steady climb into the rugged Kenai Mountains, leaving the road system completely behind.The true crown jewel of the trip arrived almost exactly two hours later. Around 7:50 PM, we reached the grand alpine summit at Grandview (about 1,063 feet up). It is the highest point on this rail line and is famous for offering a sweeping view of the massive river of ice cascading down the valley. This is a pristine, roadless backcountry section of the Chugach National Forest—a world completely hidden from cars, entirely preserved, and visible only to those of us on the rails. Looking through the window, I caught sight of the Grandview Whistle Stop signposts standing beside the remote shelter structures—a lonely outpost in the vast, silent wilderness.As the train began to wind through the loops of the Placer River Valley, the engineering of the tracks felt like a gift to photography lovers. Right around 8:10 PM, the train curved along the famous sub-alpine loop tracks, crossing over the valley floor. The tracks snake and wind tightly through the lush alpine meadows and valley walls. This specific engineering layout allows photographers to capture both the locomotives and the passenger cars curving together against the wilderness backdrop. It offers everyone an unobstructed, breathtakingly close look at the towering hanging snowfields of Bartlett Glacier. Right nearby, the historic wooden-arched Placer River Bridge came into view, beautifully backdropped by the unforgettable, towering blue wall of Spencer Glacier. Seeing that dense blue ice rise right next to the rustic bridge was a beautiful testament to human grit in this wild terrain.For the final hour, the energy in the train shifted to quiet anticipation as we entered Turnagain Arm. Hugging the shoreline fjord under a gorgeous, soft evening light, I was absolutely glued to the window. Passing near Milepost 88.3 to 90 of the line, I caught an eerie, fascinating view of the Girdwood Ghost Forest. Seeing those pale columns of dead trees standing bare in the tidal flats, a somber memento of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake—was incredibly powerful. I spent the remaining miles scanning the rugged cliffs for Dall sheep and searching the waters for the pale crest of a beluga whale. Though the wildlife decided to stay hidden that evening, it didn’t take an ounce of magic away from the experience. As we finally pulled into Anchorage, ending our four hours and 15 min. voyage, I realized that the real treasure wasn't a specific animal sighting—it was the pure, uninterrupted privilege of witnessing Alaska’s wildest spaces unfold right before my eyes.

Really spectacular scenery. And very smooth logistics. A wonderful way to travel. My only complaint is that a more kid-friendly meal option would have been nice, but my kid is more picky than most.

Definitely show up an hour early to check your bags and make sure you are ready to board. Service was quick all the way from checking bags to getting my printed ticket. There's a gift shop and coffee joint inside, once you board there is assigned seating, if you're on a budget the Adventure Class is good but if you want the better experience then the GoldStar is the way to go. Overall guides were knowledgeable about the route and the things to see, it was a great experience! Would recommend this to anyone! Can't wait to take different routes and explore the rest of Alaska Railroad.

We opted for the Gold Star service. Highly recommend for the view and service. Every employee was accommodating. Aracella was fantastic!

It was great. I was shocked to see the Moose! Thank you.

Wonderful experience enjoying the Gold Star car with our tour group of 30 people. Especially enjoyed meeting Conductor Johnson and the bartenders. Highly recommend!

We took the Wilderness Express Dome train from Fairbanks to Denali. It was wonderful. The master of ceremonies, bar staff and wait staff worked as a finely oiled machine. They were friendly, good with kids and very efficient. The narrative was outstanding and the sound system was excellent ,so you could hear everything in the narrative. The breakfast was excellent. Worth every cent of the cost

Efficient and comfortable way to get between Denali and Fairbanks. Beautiful scenery and nice narration. If you get the chance, try and upgrade to Gold Star for dinner and a better view. Well worth the extra money.

We took the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks then 4 days last returned to Anchorage. It was one of the highlights of our time in Alaska. The staff was so friendly and helpful. The one way trip is 12hrs but it didn't feel like it. We could move around free along the length of the train and there were areas to stand. We meet some wonderful fellow travelers and the atmosphere was very enjoyable. It's the best was to see all the mountains in our opinion. Highly recommend.

The views are just absolutely amazing. The train cuts through Denali state park in winter, allowing you to see the 3rd highest isolated peak on earth in the vast snowy landscape. The dining cart food was honestly pretty good too, try the reindeer bolognese or the pot roast! The train guide was really funny too and gave nice information, along with trying to help you spot wildlife along the way.

It is a very comfortable 12 hr train ride, with sit down dining for all meals if desired. The food prices were very reasonable compared to airports. The narration was very informative and entertaining.

Long, but nice ride. It was more fun travel than travel from one town to another. Pleasant rail staff, kept us informed with history and what to see along the ride, and a good food too.