Story and Photographs copyright 2004 by Richard Elgenson

   

The Dall sheep were out again, and Steve's crew stopped the train so as many passengers who wanted to could view the sheep from the car vestibule or their coach seat.  Aside from the scenery, this is one of the things I love about the Alaska Railroad.  If there is wildlife, the crew makes the passengers aware and will stop the train if possible.  The crew also encourages people to look for wildlife and shout out if they spot any.  Glacier Discovery passengers could possibly see Beluga whales at locations along the Turnagain Arm.

   

   

   

The trip back from Whittier to Anchorage was one of enless reflection of mountains, water, sky, and clouds, and wind surfers!

   

Alaskans take their recreation seriously.  The highlight on the return is Mt. Susitna, the sleeping lady, named after a native American myth.

   

The 2004 edition of the Glacier Discovery will be simplified to run from Anchorage to Whittier to Hunter (MP 40) to Whittier and return to Anchorage.  The railroad is exploring the idea to create a trailhead stop train. which would involve six new stops at Bear Valley (west side Anderson Tunnel), Luebner Lake, Spencer Glacier, Bartlett Glacier and Hunter.  The railroad has signed an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to create a system of overnight trails and huts similar to Yosemite National Park. This development would take place over the next few years.  Backpackers would be able to access the Chugach National Forest via the train.  Early plans would include boardwalks adjacent the track and away from them and possibly a lunch stop at the wye at Hunter.

   

The Glacier Discovery is a one day train trip that should be taken if one finds themself in Alaska from early May to early September.  Every day on the Alaska Railroad is unique due to changing weather conditions and mother nature showing her beauty and fury ... or not.


Alaska Railroad operates a number of seasonal passenger trains.  Early May to early September four trains run different routes.  Aside from the Glacier Discovery, there is the Coastal Classic from Anchorage to Seward, the Denali Star Anchorage to Fairbanks and the Hurricane Turn flag stop train from Talkeetna to Hurricane.  Each one is worth riding again and again!  As far as trips go on the Alaska Railroad, the Glacier Discovery is just the tip of the iceberg.

This concludes the travelogue part of the story.  The last page documents some railroad construction projects between Anchorage and Portage.  All links are on the next page.