Alaska Railroad features close-up views of nature's vast and magnificent scenery

A journey on Alaska Railroad offers ringside seats to striking landscape and a pleasant experience in comfortable seats, with dining options from full meals to snacks among ever changing views.

RIDING THE RAILS ALASKA STYLE MEANS COMFORT AS WELL AS BEAUTY

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Views from your coach are spectacular because Alaska Railroad cars hug the scenery.

Conductor Wanda Robinson has been with the company 30 years. Here she greets "Keller and Cookie."

PICTURE YOURSELF relaxing in a comfy train car, beverage of choice in hand, watching the world's most spectacular scenery glide by.

You've got a front-row sea to nature's wonders with a spectacular adventure on Alaska Railroad.

The popular rail offers a variety of day trip adventures to some of the state's iconic sights -- from snow-capped mountains to picturesque villages and the ever changing landscape of the sea.

WE BEGAN our adventure in Anchorage, after a relaxing week exploring this lively corner of the state.  Our destination was Seward, 114 miles or about 4.5 leisurely train hours away.  

A PEACEFUL yet exciting ride is guaranteed from Anchorage and many other cities because the train routes assure passengers are surrounded by inspiring scenery at every turn. Cheerful attendants welcome  passengers and make sure they are comfortable. They offer complimentary literature on the colorful history of the railroad. Announcements are made to remind where one may enjoy a leisurely meal or grab a light snack during the trip.

Train passengers boarding in Anchorage have breakfast on the train, arriving in Seward after a lovely trip in time for lunch.

A VARIETY of routes offer enticing options to choose from. National Geographic Traveler ranked our route among the Top Ten Train Rides in North America. Routes feature wildlife and quaint, historic towns, so there are plenty of options. We arose early to board our train in Anchorage and were off by 6:45 a.m. to wind along beautiful Turnagain Arm.  We traveled past snowy peaks of Chugach Range as the sea churned below, then emerged into verdant wilderness. The variety of landscape was striking. We arrived late morning in Seward, in time for lunch, checked our bags at the hotel and were off to explore a sea life center. 

Near the Anchorage train station, a young fisherman shows off his morning catch in Anchorage, caught from a city bridge.

THE OPERATION has depots in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Girdwood, Portage, Seward, Talkeetna, Wasilla and Whittier. First, find the location that most interests you and go from there. Many of the journeys are designed for cruise travelers because savvy sea lovers often complement their cruise with a rail trip as we did before boarding our ship for an Inside Passage trip to Vancouver.

It's a marvelous state -- best savored when someone else is doing the driving. Alaska by rail is tops!

Watching the tracks from the caboose is a pleasant option as passengers are free to explore around the cars.

 More on train travel in Alaska, click here

AlaskaRailroad.com; 800 544-0552; 907 265-2494

The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers live performance, and a walk through history with indigenous homes and art.

UP NEXT: Alaska offers colorful history in a variety of cities and towns, with something for everyone -- from the Northern Lights to trolley tours, salmon lore, fascinating cultural museums detailing life among the indigenous people. If you're in Anchorage, here's a "don't miss." A visit to Alaska Native Heritage Center offers a treasure trove of folklore, crafts and history, plus live performances of traditional dance and games. You'll likely see salmon and bears in your Alaska travels and you may meet a sled dog and hear about the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race. Meanwhile, explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more. Please share the links of stories that interest you: www.whereiscookie.com