My dad was a UP engineer for over 58 years . Was a train engineer in WWll driving the engines in France and was in the battle of the bulge with ammunition and taking big guns to win the war.
You always make your videos feel like a love letter to whatever type of travel you're experiencing, and I so appreciate that as someone who loves trains but can't travel right now. Beautiful video as always!
Jeb, I've watched most of your train videos - I truly enjoy train travel; flying can be left to the birds. I greatly appreciate your cheerful, upbeat manner and enthusiasm as you narrate these journeys through this spectacular USA that's our home. You've brought so much of this great nation of ours to me as I visually travel along with you via your videos. Thank you, and please keep on riding the rails - I hope to do likewise some day.
this just makes me miss Fairbanks, i was born there and raised for 13 years and always wanted to move back. I actually did a field trip back in elementry school to Denali taking the railroad so this is all just memories to me. Makes me super happy that Fairbanks my home town is finally getting more recognition and not just Anchorage like always
My mom been a teacher for years. She has spent her life helping others while her dream is to go to Alaska. The Alaskan Railroad is what she talks about doing most. I don't know how I'm going to scrape funds together, but some way I'm going to take her there.
As a fellow Alaskan/American who lives in Fairbanks and has worked on the Alaska Railroad, Jeb I’m most pleased that your experience was Top Notch!!! Thank you for the video and enjoy your #wildernesstowakiki adventure!!
Our family visited Alaska last summer. We took the Anchorage to Seward train route to see the glaciers. OMG -- The Outdoor Viewing Platform alone made my whole Alaska vacation worth it. It was a wildlife / nature photographer's dream as I sat outside the whole trip. The super staff also added to my enjoyment by bringing me cup of hot coffee every so often :D Go Goldstar and enjoy every moment. You'll thank me!
Brought back some great memories of my trips to Alaska and the train trips along that same route. Can't wait to do it again and take my wife and kids so they can experience it. Thanks for posting.
I love this video. I went up to Alaska in late May, and it was spectacular. Sadly, no railroad operations were up and running yet -- BUT -- I will say late Spring journeys are awesome to see snow-capped mountain peaks!
Jeb I am from Alaska! Great you were able to take this once in a lifetime opportunity. The direct flight to Hawai’i is great for us Alaskans. Also if you are still in Anchorage Kincaid park is a good spot to find close wildlife and point wornzoff is great for plane spotting. (That’s where I watched the Antonov
Incredible video, I really want to take this journey now. It's doesn't look dissimilar to the Rocky Mountaineer we have in British Columbia, and if it's anything like that I'll be dying to get on this!
Hi Jeb and thanks! We’re booked for this trip this May 24, and the railroad trip agents were really great at extending the trip so we could do our own side trips. One highlight is flying up to Barrow on the Arctic Ocean for an overnight. In Denali we’re doing a high altitude flyover! Should all be fun!
Wow. Never really thought about seeing Alaska this way. Always planned to do it by Cruise. Thanks for this. Can’t wait to see what you did in Denali. I’m taking notes!
If your gonna do the cruise fly into Fairbanks take the train to anchorage then make your way to one of the ports and take the cruise back out to Canada or Washington !!!! I’m from there I promise that’s the best way to really see Alaska
Your videos are just awesome Jeb. My sister lived in Alaska most of her adult life and remember visiting her when I was young wanting to jump on the passenger train I saw at the Anchorage Depot. My wife and I have it on our to do list.
Mesmerizing natural views. Although I am from different part of the globe (India) but thanks to youtube and you, Jeb, I was able to get this beautiful experience.
Jeb, thanks for all your amazing videos and for highlighting the terminal in Fairbanks, my hometown! I personally haven’t taken the AK Railroad train since the 70s, I’m so hoping for a trip in the near future!!
I live in Alaska and ride the ARR every year. If you want a specific seat you can get hold of the ARR and request where you want to sit. They are pretty good at accommodating you. when ever I ride Gold Star I like to ride at the very Front, and most of the time when I request it the seats the ARR give them to me.
Discovered Jeb's videos after a fluke of looking for snowy train journeys for insomnia. Thank you for your detailed description and the information. These videos have become my lockdown tonic! I hope to one day travel through Alaska. Any extra tips for disabled international passengers would be much appreciated. Cheers!
Hi Jeb! Your trips are really relaxing 😌 and I feel like I’m traveling with you from my bean bag chair in my bedroom or my backyard or tv! I’m subbed and your vids are awesome 😎 also the scenery is beautiful
This is such a fantastic vlog episode! 😍 I keep watching and rewatching segments, trying to catch the details that might matter...I've never been to Alaska but this train journey is making me think twice about doing the cruise ship route first.
Thanks a lot Jeb for taking us through this beautiful rail journey of Alaska. I always wanted to see the magnificent natural beauty of the region. So happy to have it from a prudent person like you who has in-depth sense of the rail journey presentation. Liked and subscribed it.
I grew up a few yards from Rail Stations as Dad used to work for Railway; hence I have a very emotional bond with rail trains. This is a very good rail travel video; shared this with friends. Will look forward to see more videos like this one.
Great report! We did the Gold Star service about 5 years ago as part of a cruise/ tour only we went in the opposite direction. The most fantastic train trip we’ve ever done. Good job.
When I did the trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks there were no Gold Star but it was an unforgettable experience. That glass roof through the mountains was beautifull.
So thankful you both decided to take this trip while you were in Alaska, and bring us along !!! I took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad years ago but this one is still on the bucket list .... thanks so much ...
The Alaska Railroad used to have gift shops on their trains, but when the economy crashed a couple years ago and passenger numbers went down the ARR took out the gift shops.
I've lived in Alaska my whole 48 years and still have yet to do this, thank you. It's still on my bucket list but higher now after your video, great job! Great video!
Thanks , this video brought back a flood of incredible memories ! We took this trip of a lifetime from Fairbanks to Seward with overnight stops and side activities at Denali , Talkeetna and Anchorage it was the most amazing segment of a trip we ever had . The outdoor deck was incredible you could step out and enjoy the scent of pines and fresh air . The whole trip was so relaxing, just sitting there watching jaw dropping scenery roll by, while being catered to by wait staff . What a way to experience Alaska!
I went on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward and I would suggest doing that route, too. Even though I went in 2018, I believe that it still looks and feels incredible.
Jeb: I found the title "Wilderness to Waikiki" to be hilarious! I thought my family were the only ones to experience such a journey! It does not involve trains, but was quite the odd route! As a kid my Dad was a career employee for Pan American. We would travel to far away destinations from our home on Long Island as it was generally cheaper than loading up the 6 of us and driving to Niagra Falls! I was very fortunate for the experience, however it wasn't always straight lines. Dad and Mom decided on Honolulu for the family vacation (this was 1974). An airline employee could seldom get direct flights from NY to HI, let alone for a family of 6. So we flew from NY to Honolulu; by way of Fairbanks, AK! We stepped off that place at dusk in Fairbanks (about 1PM!) In those days there were no jetways, so it was the old fashioned stairs that rolled up to the 707 (aircraft we were on). This exposed us to Alaska weather with no filter! (did I mention it was Feb?). I never felt before, nor since, that dree of cold go through my legs like a knife! We were to spend 13 hrs there, which turned into 26. Dad made friends with the air traffic controller; who gave my dad (a complete stranger!) the keys to his car to let us discover the city. Great trip. Years later a friend of mine was going through that airport (they now have jetways!).
Jeb! Beautiful video! Great job in your narration and showing everyone that travel is community and making friends along the way! I’m happy right now! Thank you
Looks amazing! I got to visit friends in Alaska back in June. Unfortunately due to their work schedules, we weren't able to venture past Talkeetna but traveling on the rails is definitely on my to-do list next time.
What an experience! This video inspired my wife and I to take the train trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage with a 2 night stop in Denali. We did Adventure Class for the 4 hour trip from Fairbanks to Denali. That experience was just fine for this shorter leg. Gold Star was great. We enjoyed our lunch and dinner. It was fun being seated with two other people and talking to folks from other parts of the country. We stayed near the Denali Park entrance at the Grand Denali Lodge. That hotel offers a free shuttle to the Denali depot, and I assume other hotels do the same and will bring you to the depot quite a while before the train departs. I recommend taking the short walk over to the Denali N.P. Visitor Center to kill some time while you wait for the train. There even some short walking trails through the forest to give you one last taste of wilderness before you hop the train. The one thing that could be inproved was the baggage collection in Anchorage. It was slow getting all the bags unloaded and then very chaotic collecting them outside the depot. They could have done a better job explaining the process before so those poor baggage attendants don't have to be so stressed dealing with people trying to enter the baggage claim area before they were ready. Then, the process to get ground transportation is equally chaotic. There are only so many yellow cabs in Anchorage available to pick up fairs. We ended up waiting about 10 minutes gor our Lyft. Thank you for your wonderfully thorough review. I'm so glad to have experienced the Alaska Railroad.
Found this video while looking for woodworking videos, go figure. The video brings back memories of my childhood in Alaska. My family (Mom, Dad, two of three brothers and me) lived at mile marker “206-3/4” in our family log homestead in the mid-60s until 1969. I remember Goose Creek, the Susitna River, Willow, and riding a school bus forever to and from a one room school (K-4) at Talkeetna. We could see Mt. McKinley in the distance from the cabin. I used to watch the train go by the homestead, and we always had moose around the house. Never did see a bear, but they were around. No indoor plumbing or electricity in the cabin either. Also I remember riding the train to and from the homestead. Back then you just flagged the train down if you wanted to board along the route. I think in the Anchorage station there was a model train, you could push a big red button and the train would run on a simple circle track for a minute or so. I also remember the Alaska Marine Highway, and riding on the Wickersham, Matanuska, Tustumena and the Malaspina on several trips to Seattle and back in that era. Also remember the all-gravel Alcan Highway. Great video, thank you for posting it!
That 'open-air observation deck' ... an *awesome* idea! Truly loved the views here - except for the stop on that trestle ... being acrophobic, my hands broke out in a cold sweat, even just seeing it on the screen! But otherwise? Freakin' amazing! I think I enjoyed this even more than the 'California Zephyr' video!
We took this exact trip in 2018. We rode in the front seat of a dome car and the cars in front of us were low. Fantastic view/scenery, delicious meals and Bloody Marys. We even saw moose! Absolutely loved it!
In the. year 2000 We boarded the Sun Princess in Vancouver, Canada for a seven day cruise to Seward and drove to Anchorage took the train trip to Fairbanks with two stopovers at Tallkeetna and Denali and it was very beautiful, and very satisfying; I would really like to do it again. Thanks Jeb your videos of travel are super great your description and narration is perfect.
I love that this was your, "Best travel day ever." I'm hoping to take the Denali Star from Anchorage to Fairbanks in August, in Goldstar class. The 1921 train trestle provided stunning views. But I wonder about so many 100+ year old bridges and train trestles in the U.S. that may be nearing or passing their intended expiration dates. Yikes.
WOW What an awesome Video. Right after I watched this video I bought tickets for my parents for their 40th anniversary. I over heard my mom say she wants to go to Alaska. So I'm gonna make her wish come true! Thanks Jeb for the AMAZING Video Narration Keep up the amazing work! I'll see ya in the air or in this case Track Side one of these days. Be safe God bless!
The 'cabrio' card without the windows, that is amazing! BTW I love those special train videos you are doing! The stop on the bridge is breathtaking - sooooo amazing! Well done
Really enjoy your train journeys. Very positive and uplifting. Never saw how beautiful and lush Alaska was from the perspective of the train ride. Your fiancé and you are very cute, God bless, stay safe..
One of the best vacations included a dome car ride with Alaska rail from Anchorage to Denali. The sights were breath-taking, and the service was great.
Hey. Here is a HI from India. I really love your train videos. Its very refreshing to watch as you guys show a lot more of the scenery and good description of the trains features. I loved the Peru rail video and this one too. I always wondered what alaska looked like and its jaw dropping. Hope to visit alaska and peru one day Till then wish you both a million happy and unforgettable miles 🍻
Another great video and awesome review, Jeb! When the Maya Train opens in Mexico in 2024, you should try and do a review of that service. I hear it’s going to be filled with great sights of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Having been born in Anchorage eight years before Statehood seeing the train going to Fairbanks from Anchorage brought back great memories. When I was elementary school age we took the train to Nancy Lake, where our grandparents had a cabin on the only island there. There was no road, the only way there was by train. Later my parents built a “cabin” that was an old military Quonset hut, taken apart at Elmendorf and rebuilt in a cove behind the island. The “highway” was finally built and that building was hauled up the highway, through the town of Palmer and then through the tiny town of Wasilla. It took hours to get to the lake, a trip that now takes less than an hour. But our favorite way to get there was the train. When my daughter was little, and eight years later when my son came along, I would be sure to take at least one trip by train each summer and they had blueberry muffins for breakfast in the dining car. I took the train to Fairbanks once and it was amazing, even to an Alaskan kid. Everything has changed, the train cars are plush, but the beauty of Alaska shines through. I hope you got a chance to take the train to Seward and the one to Wittier, you can now drive to Whittier on the train tracks during hours the train doesn’t run, not a good idea for the train and a car to meet in one of the tunnels!
I rode much of that route (Fairbanks to Denali and Talkeetna to Anchorage) back in 2006 on a Princess cruise-tour. Watching this really brought back some fond memories. Thanks
You guys really need to come to Canada and do some VIA Rail Canada routes, like the Canadian, the Ocean, and Winnipeg - Churchill. You realize how such a stunning and vast country Canada really is, and you get to appreciate a world famous train network
It was great fun to re-live our 2014 trip. Your narration was pitch perfect. Our experience nearly identical. I would add: We continued on down to Seward and the Kenai Penninsula which was just as spectacular.
thanks Jeb and Susanne - I love watching your train trips from New Zealand (I'll not be travelling overseas again), so it's lovely to see the landscape of your journey
PRO TIP: I live in Alaska, and would NOT recommend the full Fairbanks to Anchorage if you're traveling with children. My mother and nephew came up in February a year ago. Yes, FEBRUARY! I coordinated for them to ride the train from Denali to Talkeetna. This segment is the biggest bang for your scenery buck and is only about 5 or 6 hours, with enough scenery to keep small impatient kiddos from getting bored. Air BnB in Talkeetna for the night and onward to Anchorage and points south the next day! I can't speak to what scenery there was in February, but mom enjoyed it!
Great video! I hope 2022 will bring full service and cruise ships to Alaska. There are comfortable and informative alternatives to the Alaska Railroad. Both Holland America and Princess have cars between Whittier/Anchorage/Denali. These cars are also built by the Colorado Car Company, and have electrical connections at each seat. The cars have a similar arrangement, with a bar in the observation level, and the restrooms, restaurant , and open air observation platform on the lower level. There is also a Rail Guide, who responds to questions, provides narration about what is coming up next, such as where likely spots are for game sighting are, and helps out the bartender. Some cars have an elevator from the lower level to the upper level, and if you want to be in one of these cars make it clear at the time you make a reservation. Alaska by rail is a great introduction to a magnificent state. Game sightings and views of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, are not guaranteed, but glaciers can be seen in all but the most cloudy conditions, and the vast expanse of trees, tundra, and woods is amazing. By rail you will have an opportunity to go where roads do not go. Thanks to Jeb Brooks for this introduction!
Jeb, Approaching our 50th Anniversary, this is definitely one of our 'to do' items as we finally migrate to a get-away from the week in-week out of a Cancer survivor. Really enjoy your blogs.
In 1997 after a stay in the Denali Lodge with friends, we headed south from Denali for the eight hours' Alaska Railroad trip to Anchorage. Your video brought back wonderful memories of that journey. Thank you.
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This channel is slowly changing from an aviation channel into a rail channel and i'm all for it!
Same I love Trains way more than Planes so if he makes it into that type of channel I will just be happy
It should be renamed Jeb & Suzanne Brooks Travel
I'm with ya!
Give me trains over airplanes anytime.
My dad was a UP engineer for over 58 years . Was a train engineer in WWll driving the engines in France and was in the battle of the bulge with ammunition and taking big guns to win the war.
You always make your videos feel like a love letter to whatever type of travel you're experiencing, and I so appreciate that as someone who loves trains but can't travel right now. Beautiful video as always!
Jeb, I've watched most of your train videos - I truly enjoy train travel; flying can be left to the birds. I greatly appreciate your cheerful, upbeat manner and enthusiasm as you narrate these journeys through this spectacular USA that's our home. You've brought so much of this great nation of ours to me as I visually travel along with you via your videos. Thank you, and please keep on riding the rails - I hope to do likewise some day.
Absolutely stunning! I had no idea this train service existed, but now I want to take it. Alaska Railways owes you for getting the word out!
There is another trip Anchorage to Seward Ak. It’s not as long but when you get to Seward they take you on a boat cruise a glacier. It’s my favorite.
this just makes me miss Fairbanks, i was born there and raised for 13 years and always wanted to move back. I actually did a field trip back in elementry school to Denali taking the railroad so this is all just memories to me. Makes me super happy that Fairbanks my home town is finally getting more recognition and not just Anchorage like always
I spent 2 weeks in Fairbanks and loved every minute.
My mom been a teacher for years. She has spent her life helping others while her dream is to go to Alaska. The Alaskan Railroad is what she talks about doing most. I don't know how I'm going to scrape funds together, but some way I'm going to take her there.
As a kid, I can recall practically living in the ‘dome car’ on the California Zephyr, from San Francisco to Chicago. What an amazing journey.
As a fellow Alaskan/American who lives in Fairbanks and has worked on the Alaska Railroad, Jeb I’m most pleased that your experience was Top Notch!!! Thank you for the video and enjoy your #wildernesstowakiki adventure!!
Our family visited Alaska last summer. We took the Anchorage to Seward train route to see the glaciers. OMG -- The Outdoor Viewing Platform alone made my whole Alaska vacation worth it. It was a wildlife / nature photographer's dream as I sat outside the whole trip. The super staff also added to my enjoyment by bringing me cup of hot coffee every so often :D
Go Goldstar and enjoy every moment. You'll thank me!
I’m falling in love with these train videos. I’ve watched basically of yours!!!. Makes me want to explore the beauty of life. Thanks Jeb!
Brought back some great memories of my trips to Alaska and the train trips along that same route. Can't wait to do it again and take my wife and kids so they can experience it. Thanks for posting.
I love this video. I went up to Alaska in late May, and it was spectacular. Sadly, no railroad operations were up and running yet -- BUT -- I will say late Spring journeys are awesome to see snow-capped mountain peaks!
Jeb, you never disappoint! What a great job on this ride. Thanks for sharing your journeys.
Jeb I am from Alaska! Great you were able to take this once in a lifetime opportunity. The direct flight to Hawai’i is great for us Alaskans. Also if you are still in Anchorage Kincaid park is a good spot to find close wildlife and point wornzoff is great for plane spotting. (That’s where I watched the Antonov
Incredible video, I really want to take this journey now. It's doesn't look dissimilar to the Rocky Mountaineer we have in British Columbia, and if it's anything like that I'll be dying to get on this!
This is a great route. That being said, I enjoyed the views between Anchorage and Seward a little bit more.
Do it!
Would highly reccommend it. I've taken this trsin and other Alaska Railroad trains many times and they never cease to amaze me.
Thanks so much for watching!! Come on over to the rails…I would jump at the chance to watch any train video you produce!!
Hi Jeb and thanks! We’re booked for this trip this May 24, and the railroad trip agents were really great at extending the trip so we could do our own side trips. One highlight is flying up to Barrow on the Arctic Ocean for an overnight. In Denali we’re doing a high altitude flyover! Should all be fun!
The Seward run is very amazing. Makes you feel like your in a different country.
Wow. Never really thought about seeing Alaska this way. Always planned to do it by Cruise. Thanks for this. Can’t wait to see what you did in Denali. I’m taking notes!
you can booking the bus ticket in Denali, travel time is from 8am to 8pm (end of mirror lake), cost is $65/pp, it is a wonderful triple
If your gonna do the cruise fly into Fairbanks take the train to anchorage then make your way to one of the ports and take the cruise back out to Canada or Washington !!!! I’m from there I promise that’s the best way to really see Alaska
Hermosos paisajes, espero poder ir algún día. From México, CDMX.
I just moved to AK this year. It's an amazing place to live. It's crazy how beautiful this state is. I'm so happy with my decision to live here.
I moved here this past October and I too am happy about moving here. It's really beautiful and a big difference from what I'm used to.
Your videos are just awesome Jeb. My sister lived in Alaska most of her adult life and remember visiting her when I was young wanting to jump on the passenger train I saw at the Anchorage Depot. My wife and I have it on our to do list.
Mesmerizing natural views. Although I am from different part of the globe (India) but thanks to youtube and you, Jeb, I was able to get this beautiful experience.
Jeb you are so incredibly talented and I love watching your train vlogs. You are the best!
I’ll leave you two alone.
Thank you so much for your support, Diane!
Jeb, thanks for all your amazing videos and for highlighting the terminal in Fairbanks, my hometown! I personally haven’t taken the AK Railroad train since the 70s, I’m so hoping for a trip in the near future!!
I live in Alaska and ride the ARR every year. If you want a specific seat you can get hold of the ARR and request where you want to sit. They are pretty good at accommodating you. when ever I ride Gold Star I like to ride at the very Front, and most of the time when I request it the seats the ARR give them to me.
Discovered Jeb's videos after a fluke of looking for snowy train journeys for insomnia. Thank you for your detailed description and the information. These videos have become my lockdown tonic! I hope to one day travel through Alaska. Any extra tips for disabled international passengers would be much appreciated. Cheers!
Hi Jeb! Your trips are really relaxing 😌 and I feel like I’m traveling with you from my bean bag chair in my bedroom or my backyard or tv! I’m subbed and your vids are awesome 😎 also the scenery is beautiful
This is such a fantastic vlog episode! 😍 I keep watching and rewatching segments, trying to catch the details that might matter...I've never been to Alaska but this train journey is making me think twice about doing the cruise ship route first.
Thanks a lot Jeb for taking us through this beautiful rail journey of Alaska. I always wanted to see the magnificent natural beauty of the region. So happy to have it from a prudent person like you who has in-depth sense of the rail journey presentation. Liked and subscribed it.
I grew up a few yards from Rail Stations as Dad used to work for Railway; hence I have a very emotional bond with rail trains. This is a very good rail travel video; shared this with friends. Will look forward to see more videos like this one.
These train videos are soooo relaxing. The scenery, the narration, the music...loving it. Thank you for posting.
Great report! We did the Gold Star service about 5 years ago as part of a cruise/ tour only we went in the opposite direction. The most fantastic train trip we’ve ever done. Good job.
Of all your train videos this one looks stunningly well kept,and the trio is beautiful.
Thanks for posting.
The worst part about this journey and the video is that, it ends! Every passing scenery can be framed as wallpaper. ❤️❤️
When I did the trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks there were no Gold Star but it was an unforgettable experience. That glass roof through the mountains was beautifull.
So thankful you both decided to take this trip while you were in Alaska, and bring us along !!! I took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad years ago but this one is still on the bucket list .... thanks so much ...
there is a ferry boat leaving BELLINGHAM WA. that goes to Alaska...check it out
The Alaska Railroad used to have gift shops on their trains, but when the economy crashed a couple years ago and passenger numbers went down the ARR took out the gift shops.
I've lived in Alaska my whole 48 years and still have yet to do this, thank you. It's still on my bucket list but higher now after your video, great job! Great video!
HIT EM WITH A DOSE OF SASS, N GET ER DONE FUNKY DUDE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON
Holy crap, that’s beautiful. This is now on my bucket list.
If you go around Thanksgiving, it's like being in a giant snow globe! So gorgeous!! 11+ hours!
It's beautiful 😍to see Alaska
I've been lucky enough to ride this fantastic route between Anchorage and Denali Nat'l Park back in 2002. It was fantastic!
Thanks , this video brought back a flood of incredible memories !
We took this trip of a lifetime from Fairbanks to Seward with overnight stops and side activities at Denali , Talkeetna and Anchorage it was the most amazing segment of a trip we ever had . The outdoor deck was incredible you could step out and enjoy the scent of pines and fresh air . The whole trip was so relaxing, just sitting there watching jaw dropping scenery roll by, while being catered to by wait staff . What a way to experience Alaska!
What a fantastic journey and look at the scenery .Truly enjoyable.
I went on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward and I would suggest doing that route, too. Even though I went in 2018, I believe that it still looks and feels incredible.
Jeb: I found the title "Wilderness to Waikiki" to be hilarious! I thought my family were the only ones to experience such a journey! It does not involve trains, but was quite the odd route! As a kid my Dad was a career employee for Pan American. We would travel to far away destinations from our home on Long Island as it was generally cheaper than loading up the 6 of us and driving to Niagra Falls! I was very fortunate for the experience, however it wasn't always straight lines. Dad and Mom decided on Honolulu for the family vacation (this was 1974). An airline employee could seldom get direct flights from NY to HI, let alone for a family of 6. So we flew from NY to Honolulu; by way of Fairbanks, AK! We stepped off that place at dusk in Fairbanks (about 1PM!) In those days there were no jetways, so it was the old fashioned stairs that rolled up to the 707 (aircraft we were on). This exposed us to Alaska weather with no filter! (did I mention it was Feb?). I never felt before, nor since, that dree of cold go through my legs like a knife! We were to spend 13 hrs there, which turned into 26. Dad made friends with the air traffic controller; who gave my dad (a complete stranger!) the keys to his car to let us discover the city. Great trip. Years later a friend of mine was going through that airport (they now have jetways!).
I love train travel! Watching the scenery go by is mesmerizing! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Who would dislike this video? This was incredible, thank you Jeb!
Salute to those who built this track
Now we are enjoying the nature.
Great work for the nation 👏.
Best railroad vlog in my mind! Fantastic work, Jeb. And thanks for taking me on board!!
Vow, thank you for giving us the feeling of real travel on this fantastic train The scenary was just superb
Jeb! Beautiful video! Great job in your narration and showing everyone that travel is community and making friends along the way! I’m happy right now! Thank you
Truly stunning, amazing rail ride 🚆 and one of the best railroad vlog from Jeb.
Great experience, superb.
“A hearty meal with a side of amazing scenery”
Thou art a poet, Jeb. Great video 👍🏽
I'm 67 years old from the UK and I plan on taking this trip on my bucket list. Never been to Alaska but it looks absolutely fantastic.
Looks amazing! I got to visit friends in Alaska back in June. Unfortunately due to their work schedules, we weren't able to venture past Talkeetna but traveling on the rails is definitely on my to-do list next time.
What an experience! This video inspired my wife and I to take the train trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage with a 2 night stop in Denali. We did Adventure Class for the 4 hour trip from Fairbanks to Denali. That experience was just fine for this shorter leg.
Gold Star was great. We enjoyed our lunch and dinner. It was fun being seated with two other people and talking to folks from other parts of the country.
We stayed near the Denali Park entrance at the Grand Denali Lodge. That hotel offers a free shuttle to the Denali depot, and I assume other hotels do the same and will bring you to the depot quite a while before the train departs. I recommend taking the short walk over to the Denali N.P. Visitor Center to kill some time while you wait for the train. There even some short walking trails through the forest to give you one last taste of wilderness before you hop the train.
The one thing that could be inproved was the baggage collection in Anchorage. It was slow getting all the bags unloaded and then very chaotic collecting them outside the depot. They could have done a better job explaining the process before so those poor baggage attendants don't have to be so stressed dealing with people trying to enter the baggage claim area before they were ready. Then, the process to get ground transportation is equally chaotic. There are only so many yellow cabs in Anchorage available to pick up fairs. We ended up waiting about 10 minutes gor our Lyft.
Thank you for your wonderfully thorough review. I'm so glad to have experienced the Alaska Railroad.
Great video! Love seeing all the travel to and around Alaska! I’m so glad I got to experience it back in 2019!
Found this video while looking for woodworking videos, go figure. The video brings back memories of my childhood in Alaska. My family (Mom, Dad, two of three brothers and me) lived at mile marker “206-3/4” in our family log homestead in the mid-60s until 1969. I remember Goose Creek, the Susitna River, Willow, and riding a school bus forever to and from a one room school (K-4) at Talkeetna. We could see Mt. McKinley in the distance from the cabin. I used to watch the train go by the homestead, and we always had moose around the house. Never did see a bear, but they were around. No indoor plumbing or electricity in the cabin either.
Also I remember riding the train to and from the homestead. Back then you just flagged the train down if you wanted to board along the route. I think in the Anchorage station there was a model train, you could push a big red button and the train would run on a simple circle track for a minute or so.
I also remember the Alaska Marine Highway, and riding on the Wickersham, Matanuska, Tustumena and the Malaspina on several trips to Seattle and back in that era. Also remember the all-gravel Alcan Highway. Great video, thank you for posting it!
That 'open-air observation deck' ... an *awesome* idea! Truly loved the views here - except for the stop on that trestle ... being acrophobic, my hands broke out in a cold sweat, even just seeing it on the screen! But otherwise? Freakin' amazing!
I think I enjoyed this even more than the 'California Zephyr' video!
I took this train as part of a tour. Only it was from Anchorage to Fairbanks. It was so exciting. You can't beat the food and the scenery.
i was on this ride 2 weeks ago and i've gotta say, it is quite impressive
Amazing video, Jeb! Alaska looks wonderful. I truly hope to do this one day. Thanks for the great idea on how to explore The Last Frontier 😃
Muito melhor que o trem bala da China isso é que é passeio de verdade parabéns pelo vídeo
We took this exact trip in 2018. We rode in the front seat of a dome car and the cars in front of us were low. Fantastic view/scenery, delicious meals and Bloody Marys. We even saw moose! Absolutely loved it!
Your and Suzanne narration is everything positive whether air or train travel and I love both.
Jeb if you want to take a really nice ride, try the durango and silverton railroad, from durango to silverton. you will love it
In the. year 2000 We boarded the Sun Princess in Vancouver, Canada for a seven day cruise to Seward and drove to Anchorage took the train trip to Fairbanks with two stopovers at Tallkeetna and Denali and it was very beautiful, and very satisfying; I would really like to do it again. Thanks Jeb your videos of travel are super great your description and narration is perfect.
I love that this was your, "Best travel day ever." I'm hoping to take the Denali Star from Anchorage to Fairbanks in August, in Goldstar class. The 1921 train trestle provided stunning views. But I wonder about so many 100+ year old bridges and train trestles in the U.S. that may be nearing or passing their intended expiration dates. Yikes.
This brings memories, I took an Alaskan Railroad ride in 2012, it was fun and worth it.
WOW What an awesome Video. Right after I watched this video I bought tickets for my parents for their 40th anniversary. I over heard my mom say she wants to go to Alaska. So I'm gonna make her wish come true! Thanks Jeb for the AMAZING Video Narration Keep up the amazing work! I'll see ya in the air or in this case Track Side one of these days. Be safe God bless!
The 'cabrio' card without the windows, that is amazing! BTW I love those special train videos you are doing! The stop on the bridge is breathtaking - sooooo amazing! Well done
Wow!
First Dennis takes us to Antarctica and now you take us here!
Our eyes are blessed!
Thanks a lot.
I am impressed there's an outdoor viewing platform! No matter how good-quality and clean the windows, nothing beats open air.
Really enjoy your train journeys. Very positive and uplifting. Never saw how beautiful and lush Alaska was from the perspective of the train ride. Your fiancé and you are very cute, God bless, stay safe..
One of the best vacations included a dome car ride with Alaska rail from Anchorage to Denali. The sights were breath-taking, and the service was great.
Hey. Here is a HI from India. I really love your train videos. Its very refreshing to watch as you guys show a lot more of the scenery and good description of the trains features. I loved the Peru rail video and this one too. I always wondered what alaska looked like and its jaw dropping. Hope to visit alaska and peru one day
Till then wish you both a million happy and unforgettable miles 🍻
Another great video and awesome review, Jeb! When the Maya Train opens in Mexico in 2024, you should try and do a review of that service. I hear it’s going to be filled with great sights of the Yucatán Peninsula.
I’ve done it twice. Fantastic journey. Lord of wildlife and fun. Things you won’t see on the roads very often.
Having been born in Anchorage eight years before Statehood seeing the train going to Fairbanks from Anchorage brought back great memories. When I was elementary school age we took the train to Nancy Lake, where our grandparents had a cabin on the only island there. There was no road, the only way there was by train. Later my parents built a “cabin” that was an old military Quonset hut, taken apart at Elmendorf and rebuilt in a cove behind the island. The “highway” was finally built and that building was hauled up the highway, through the town of Palmer and then through the tiny town of Wasilla. It took hours to get to the lake, a trip that now takes less than an hour. But our favorite way to get there was the train. When my daughter was little, and eight years later when my son came along, I would be sure to take at least one trip by train each summer and they had blueberry muffins for breakfast in the dining car. I took the train to Fairbanks once and it was amazing, even to an Alaskan kid. Everything has changed, the train cars are plush, but the beauty of Alaska shines through. I hope you got a chance to take the train to Seward and the one to Wittier, you can now drive to Whittier on the train tracks during hours the train doesn’t run, not a good idea for the train and a car to meet in one of the tunnels!
Absolutely beautiful scenery !! Good coverage of this rail route in Alaska !!
Absolutely breath taking scenery. Loved the way you presented this video too :)
I rode much of that route (Fairbanks to Denali and Talkeetna to Anchorage) back in 2006 on a Princess cruise-tour. Watching this really brought back some fond memories. Thanks
We rode the train from the cruise ship port to Denali. What views !!! Much better then a bus ride could ever be. Great service and staff on board.
You guys really need to come to Canada and do some VIA Rail Canada routes, like the Canadian, the Ocean, and Winnipeg - Churchill. You realize how such a stunning and vast country Canada really is, and you get to appreciate a world famous train network
It was great fun to re-live our 2014 trip.
Your narration was pitch perfect.
Our experience nearly identical.
I would add: We continued on down to Seward and the Kenai Penninsula which was just as spectacular.
thanks Jeb and Susanne - I love watching your train trips from New Zealand (I'll not be travelling overseas again), so it's lovely to see the landscape of your journey
I didn't even know Alaska had a railroad. This was a lot of fun to watch.
Love this train! Had an opportunity to ride it when I lived in Fairbanks and it was fantabulous! I highly recommend it.
PRO TIP: I live in Alaska, and would NOT recommend the full Fairbanks to Anchorage if you're traveling with children. My mother and nephew came up in February a year ago. Yes, FEBRUARY! I coordinated for them to ride the train from Denali to Talkeetna. This segment is the biggest bang for your scenery buck and is only about 5 or 6 hours, with enough scenery to keep small impatient kiddos from getting bored. Air BnB in Talkeetna for the night and onward to Anchorage and points south the next day! I can't speak to what scenery there was in February, but mom enjoyed it!
Until I saw this video I didn't know this railway existed. Phenomenal like most of your videos.
Took this in 2018 and a bucket list trip for sure! Amen Jeb, Gold Star is the way to go!
Really great video. One of the best rail videos I've seen!!! Thanks.
Wow! Thanks so much!
Great video! I hope 2022 will bring full service and cruise ships to Alaska. There are comfortable and informative alternatives to the Alaska Railroad. Both Holland America and Princess have cars between Whittier/Anchorage/Denali. These cars are also built by the Colorado Car Company, and have electrical connections at each seat. The cars have a similar arrangement, with a bar in the observation level, and the restrooms, restaurant , and open air observation platform on the lower level. There is also a Rail Guide, who responds to questions, provides narration about what is coming up next, such as where likely spots are for game sighting are, and helps out the bartender. Some cars have an elevator from the lower level to the upper level, and if you want to be in one of these cars make it clear at the time you make a reservation.
Alaska by rail is a great introduction to a magnificent state. Game sightings and views of Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, are not guaranteed, but glaciers can be seen in all but the most cloudy conditions, and the vast expanse of trees, tundra, and woods is amazing. By rail you will have an opportunity to go where roads do not go.
Thanks to Jeb Brooks for this introduction!
Wow! God made beautiful scenery for us to enjoy! Thank you for taking us along!!
Jeb, Approaching our 50th Anniversary, this is definitely one of our 'to do' items as we finally migrate to a get-away from the week in-week out of a Cancer survivor. Really enjoy your blogs.
In 1997 after a stay in the Denali Lodge with friends, we headed south from Denali for the eight hours' Alaska Railroad trip to Anchorage. Your video brought back wonderful memories of that journey. Thank you.
Thanks Jeb for another great video. Alaska is definitely on the radar for a trip
This was one of your best vlogs. Thank so much for preparing this and for even thinking of vlogging it. Great job.
I went to Alaska 7 years ago. I'm coming back! Doing all the things I couldn't do before. It is a great place to go.
Born and raised in Alaska. Never been on the Alaska Railroad. Looks amazing!
Get on it!!!! Life is too short
Totally amazing video Jeb. Thanks for sharing. That train ride is now on my bucket list !! 😊😊😊