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Alaska Railroad Passenger Service Aurora Winter Train Anchorage to Fairbanks Train Passenger Service — Alaska Train Day Tours — Alaska Train Vacations  The Aurora Winter Train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks, making a stop in Talkeetna and also making flag stops between Talkeetna and Hurricane. The Aurora Winter Train delivers local Alaskans to their remote cabins and outdoor enthusiasts to remote areas for backcountry skiing, backpacking, camping, and fishing. On this wilderness run you can get off the train anywhere along the 55-mile stretch between Talkeetna and Hurricane. When you are ready to return to civilization, you can stop the train on its return with the wave of a flag. Also see the Hurricane Winter Train that runs the first Thursdays of each month. Flag stop connections between the Aurora Winter Train and Hurricane Winter Train are possible. Winter Season Service  The Aurora Winter Train service may vary depending on the number of passengers and temperatures. There may or may not be a dining car on this train. There will always be some food available for purchase though it may be limited to grab 'n go food items, depending on the rail equipment being used.If you have special dietary needs, you may want to consider bringing along some of your own food as the trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is about 11 hours. Depending on the passenger load for the given day passenger seating may vary from table seating in the upper level of the Self-propelled DMU Railcar to forward facing reclining seats in a standard single passenger level railcars.
OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Scenic, Alaska Railroad Passenger Service, Whistle Stop Difficulty: Easy, Wheelchair Access Comfort: Adventure Class Good Prior Experience: None Aurora Train Route Highlights Anchorage to Talkeetna Anchorage is headquarters to the Alaska Railroad and the journey to Fairbanks begins here. Several miles into the trip, the heavy birch forests of Eagle River and Chugiak lead to the Knik and Matanuska Rivers.  The expansive watershed harbors wildlife like moose, bear, the occasional wolf and abundant waterfowl. About 40 miles from Anchorage comes the Matanuska Valley, Alaska's agricultural center and home to the towns of Palmer and Wasilla.Just south of Talkeetna, 70 miles further, the first view emerges of Denali ("The High One" or "The Great One"), North America's highest peak. The train takes its first stop in Talkeetna, a small town with a mining history and now, a popular takeoff point for climbers to Denali. Talkeetna to Hurricane From Talkeetna, the track follows the serpentine banks of the Susitna River. On clear days, more views of Denali emerge across the river presenting many chances for photos. In the area from Talkeetna to Hurricane the Alaska Railroad runs one of America's last flag stop trains. In this area are a number of remote cabin sites and old homesteads that are only accessible by the Alaska Railroad, hiking in many miles, or by snowmobiles in the winter months. In the 55-mile flag stop stretch between Talkeetna and Hurricane, outdoor adventurers can get off the train anywhere and can stop the train to get on by waving a flag (towel, shirt etc.) while standing near the track. Heading towards Hurricane you'll pass points along the track known as Chase, Curry, Sherman, Gold Creek, Canyon, and Chulitna. Hurricane to Denali  The train moves into Broad Pass. At 2,363 feet it's the highest point on the railroad, and is where caribou migrate through during the fall. Thousands of travelers visit Denali National Park and Preserve to see wildlife like wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, moose and bear, and, of course, Denali.Denali to Fairbanks The coal-mining town of Healy follows after a 10-mile jaunt through Healy Canyon, where the surging waters of the Nenana River cuts through the steep-sided cliffs. As the track levels out, Nenana comes into view. Nenana is home to one of the remaining original Alaska Railroad Depots, now a museum and gift shop. The track cuts through the northern boreal forests of interior Alaska. Birch, aspen and willow fill this landscape where gold miners first came to seek their fortunes. Fifty-eight miles from Nenana you arrive at Fairbanks. The "Golden Heart City" signals the end of the line - but just the beginning for more adventure, culture and history in the Last Frontier.
ITINERARY **
Weekends only Saturdays northbound Anchorage to Fairbanks. Sunday southbound Fairbanks to Anchorage. Schedule times vary depending on the number of flag stops made.
MAPS
Alaska Railroad Route Map, Points Of Interest RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY Rail Passenger Service Trains Denali Star -Anchorage to Denali & Fairbanks Costal Classic - Anchorage to Seward Hurricane Turn - Anchorage to Huricane Aurora Winter Train - Anchorage to Fairbanks Rail Day Tours Rail Vacations Alaska Railroad History Alaska Railroad Wiki Alaska Central Railroad Tunnel No. 1 SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords  by David MillerKenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map  Alaska: A Novel  by James A. MichenerAlaska: A History of the 49th State  by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. SlotnickGuide to the Birds of Alaska  by Robert H. ArmstrongWild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska  by John G. S. TrelawnyComing into the Country by John McPhee Travels in Alaska by John Muir  Did You Know? Did you know that Denali or Mt. McKinley, located within Denali National Park and Preserve, is the highest mountain on the North American continent? Measured from the 2,000 foot lowlands to its snowy summit at 20,237 feet, the mountain’s vertical relief of 18,000 feet is greater than that of Mount Everest.
Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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