An epic train journey

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Starting the my blog journey in 2024 with an epic train journey from Anchorage to Seward . Just sit back and enjoy this journey….

I knew that this was going to be a beautiful train journey from the reviews I had read. But I was not prepared for this!! The natural beauty that awaited us on the journey from Anchorage to Seward on the Coastal Classic train was something that surpassed my expectations. How can I not share that with you all then? So just imagine that you are sitting in a comfortable seat on a train and visualize what you read…I am sure you will enjoy every bit of it…

Our journey started from The Alaska Railroad depot in Anchorage. The station has an old world charm about it with a steam locomotive displayed outside along with an antique totem pole…

The Alaska Railroad station and the displays outside

Boarding the train and the glass dome coaches for viewing comfort

Since it is a tourist train, there were regular announcements about the approaching highlights and that was really helpful.

Just after the train left Anchorage station, we were passing the Turnagain arm of the Cook Inlet . Along side was the Seward Highway on which we had travelled to Portage glacier.

The train meanders along the Turnagain arm

We passed the Beluga Point and other lookouts along the highway and the train was winding it’s way along the sides of the Chugach ranges. The train conductor was updating us on the wildlife seen and we did get to see quite a lot of them. Pictures were of course not feasible with the distance and the moving train.

We did see mountain goats on the hillsides of the Chugach Ranges and an occasional moose as we passed the open lands between the mountains. Bald eagles were also plentiful.

Some pictures of the Chugach Ranges..

Crossing the Chugach mountains

Chugach mountains on the left, Seward highway and Turnagain arm on the right

Beautiful meadows and a house near Girdwood

The conductor announced that we were approaching Girdwood, our first halt. The size of the station and the number of people amused me!!!

The cute Girdwood station

Girdwood is a small station enroute and is the point from where one can visit Mt. Alyeska, a part of the Chugach ranges receiving almost 700 inches of snow every year. The Alyeska Resort located here is an all year round adventure destination featuring, saltwater pools, ski slopes, spas and other activities.

As we chugged along, there was a peculiar scene. Plenty of tree stumps jutting out of the marshy land. These are the stumps of the trees that got submerged in the 1964 earthquake .

The submerged tree trunks; the aftermath of the earthquake

Soon in typical Alaskan style, we had rain and that added it’s own beauty to the mountains…

The rain adds beauty to the mountains….

The next announcement created lot of excitement in the train. For the next hour or more, we were going to see wilderness at it’s best. We were told to be ready with our cameras all the time.

It started with the views of the Spencer glacier as we chugged closer to it.

Spencer Glacier

A glacier in the Chugach National Forest, this glacier is just 1 mile away from the rail track!!

This glacier is right in the middle of wilderness and one can reach it by taking this train and getting down at a station called the Spencer Whistle stop. There is just a sign board there and if one is booked for a hiking or rafting tour at the glacier, the guide meets up at the station and one can proceed for hiking and other adventures.

The views were awesome to say the least. Take a look..

Have a look at this video to get the feel of the glacier slowly coming into view

The glacier as seen from the train.

The Whistle stop and the icebergs broken from the glacier

After we crossed Spencer glacier, we were near the Placer River with a bridge across.

Placer River and bridge

Soon we were passing through a series of tunnels as we climbed the Kenai mountains. The train winding it’s way in and out of the tunnels was also beautiful.

Out of one tunnel and into another

The Placer river continued into Placer gorge in the Valley.

Placer Gorge. Note the glacial water color.

Just after this came the announcements that we were approaching Bartlett glacier.

Bartlett Glacier

Bartlett glacier originates in the Kenai mountains and lies between the Spencer and Trail glaciers . The glacier lies along the railway track and the train slowed down as we passed this glacier. The picture of the train with the Bartlett glacier is one of the iconic images used by Alaska Railroad. Some pictures..

Open meadows and multiple waterfalls along the hillside greeted us. Some images…

The open meadows, waterfalls and glaciers

Soon came the Trail Glacier

Trail Glacier….

Trail Glacier as we passed by…

The Trail Glacier empties into the Trail Creek which forms the Trail Lake and finally empties into the Kenai Lake. This is a popular picnic location with campgrounds nearby.

The Trail Creek and River

Soon we were near the scenic town of Moose Pass which is a campground destination in the area with facilities for hiking, fishing and other activities. There are float planes available there for use.

Chugging along further we were near Kenai Lake…

The turquoise waters of the Kenai Lake

Soon after we passed Kenai Lake, we were at Seward, a small town in the Kenai Peninsula with multiple adventure activities. At Seward, the train depot is walking distance from the ferry terminal and the town.

Passenger ferries and the Seward wharf greeted us to this beautiful location.

First views of Seward

Did you enjoy this epic train journey through glacier country? Quite unique to have a glacier so close to the rail tracks…isn’t it? This is considered to be one of the most beautful train journeys in the world.

I hope you enjoyed the virtual journey as much as I did the real one. I had some awesome glacier experiences at Seward. Hope to take you through those in the coming weeks. Till then, do give your valuable comments and feedback.