"All aboard!" Alaska Railroad turns 100

Stretching from Seward in the south and Fairbanks in the north, the rails of the Alaska Railroad treat tourists to miles of stunning views of mountains and glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife. But for some residents, those rails are a lifeline for people in the entirely roadless wilderness. Correspondent Conor Knighton takes a ride.
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[@CFGossettAbbasHealingArts]

I love this story. My father and grandfather were engineers for the railroad and they instilled a love for riding the rail in me. it's such a wonderful way to travel. Thank you for presenting the story here.

[@lonestarfriend]

After many years of wanting to go, I finally visited Alaska for the first time last year. Beautiful state. Mountains, waterfalls, mirror-like lakes. 🙂🙂

[@keithnore9622]

Nice story CBS. As an Alaskan born train buff, there is one piece of misinformation in this piece. The film footage at 1:14 of the steam locomotive is not the Alaska Railroad. It is the White Pass & Yukon Route in Skagway, Alaska, my hometown. Other than that, good job.

[@Railhog2102]

True, That railroad also had US Army steam locomotives like the S200 Mikados during WWII

[@j.l.5935]

Beautiful scenery!!!

[@steveconn]

I've taken that train, and driven that route often with my dad. Definitely best in summer (winter gets gloomy and rough-going). The Anchorage Museum also has an excellent Native Art collection.

[@edyann]

You're so lucky! Hopefully I get to visit that American state one day. I'm obsessed with visiting it.. It's like if time stood still but in a good way..

[@forexed8948]

@@edyann I grew up in Alaska, as a kid it's not so bad, but the older you get the harder Alaska can get on you, after 26 years though I was ready to move out, in my case, I didn't plan on living in Alaska my whole life. It's a beautiful state year round, but the darkness of winter can really get to you emotionally, and it's on one of the ends of the supply chain, with products having to be flown or shipped up. The snow isn't bad, the ice is tolerable, but the memories last a lifetime.

[@edyann]

@@forexed8948 I'm not American, I live in Baja California, Mexico. But I've become obsessed with that American state. Seriously. To the point of finding out how long it's going to take me on my Jeep WHEN I go- not IF I go. It's an American state but to me it seems like a whole different country that is so close to eastern Europe but still in the Americas. How amazing is that?! Anyways- you're lucky as well and envy but in a good way. So tired of this part of the Americas.. again- as if time stood still there but in a very good way.

[@forexed8948]

@@edyann Baja Mexico has its own beauty, the whale sharks of the sea of Crotez, the cliff paintings, the stars in the warm nights, just to name a few. I've been there a handful of times, but I will admit it has become a bit of a tourist trap, no offense. Alaska is the Westernmost, Easternmost, and and Northernmost state. If laid on the connected 48 states, it's easternmost Aleutian island would be in California, while it's Panhandle would be around Florida. It's actually the Largest state in the union, and been pissing off Texas since 1959, even if cut in half, Alaska's halves would be the first and second largest states. It's comparable to the whole island nation of Greenland (property of Denmark)

[@edyann]

@@forexed8948 I took a screenshot of your response, haha. Because so amazing and so interesting to know those facts! I'm a geography nerd so, wow- I love it! Definitely on my bucket list of places to visit before I die.

[@msophiasantiago7900]

BeautifuL - so inspiring and I wanna join the railroad in my 60's ..... love riding the rails!!!! THANK YOU.

[@Drockthe3rd]

I can't wait for 557 to return to service next year

[@Railhog2102]

Same, Her sisters went overseas to Europe during WWII especially in Britain although British crews hated American locomotives. S160 1702 runs on the Great Smokey Railroad

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Mother Nature has been so good to the US.

[@TheRoute.]

Have taken This Train and im planning again next year.

[@sisenor4091]

My wife and I didn’t get a chance to travel in the Alaska train 🚂 however, I can’t say enough about the state. If you can take a cruise from or to Alaska, do it. What a great experience.

[@debbiecooper1677]

my grandfather was a conductor for C/O . which is now CSX. took many rides with him.

[@luisseuc6285]

Rode this August from Seaward to Denali.❤

[@InnaGottaDavida]

Looks like I have one more item for my bucket list.

[@NmDPlm31]

My Mrs and I were onboard when this was filmed. Great to see the finished product!

[@Rtandlich]

In the 80s I worked on the Alaska Railroad as a land surveyor for the BLM. We set the right-of-way for the transfer of the railroad from the US government to the state. The job took many crews many years since we were out there on foot with our instruments. Had to watch out for trains, bears and moose.

[@Railhog2102]

Thanks for sharing your story as a railfan

[@victorschlatter3357]

Really the last frontier out in the wilderness up in Alaska, pretty awesome people live that way

[@josephdirvin401]

Trained it a few times from Fairbanks to Anchorage and back. Once we stopped to pick up a passenger and her dog. Amazingly, it was a dear pal from Nome, Alaska. She had been homesteading near to Mt. Mc Kinley. Near to in Alaska terms meant a hundred miles or so. Hardy woman who was also a pleasant person and quite good looking. We had a nice chat and I bought her dinner atop the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage.

[@forexed8948]

The Crows Nest, a lovely place to have dinner, kinda on the pricier side, but then again, I've only eaten there once myself, still, it's the view that pays for the meal.

[@tracythomas4727]

Nice video with Great facts.

[@j.gretchenkennington]

This is one of the best ways to see the area, get off the freeway.

[@scottkew6278]

You have to be a certain type to live in Alaska year round. They wouldn t want to live anywhere else. It is NOT for me but I COMPLETELY GET IT !!!! I DO understand why.

[@hummersd]

Great segment, Conor and team! What month was it filmed?

[@Poppy-xp8fr]

I rode the railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks this summer… it was an interesting experience.

[@tofutots]

so good or bad interesting?

[@Poppy-xp8fr]

After awhile it seemed the mountains, streams and woods looked like the same mile after mile.

[@stevebalsam8443]

I worked for The Federal Railroad Administration during the transfer to Alaska. Beautiful state and smooth transfer

[@jojopuppyfish]

I was there a few years ago. I saw the rail but I didn't see the train.

[@jbtalking]

I have ridden this train from Anchorage to Seward.

[@terin1862]

She doesn't seem very "off the grid" with her smartphone sitting on the desk in front of her.

[@forexed8948]

I'd doubt it if she had a smart phone, the only "off grid" about her is her work office, that cabin where she does her story book work.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank ypu for sharing this beautiful trsin ride!!!😊😊😊

[@derrickclemons2862]

Beautiful

[@scottkew6278]

SOOOoooo much staggeringly unpopulated beauty !!! AMAZING !! A trip to Alaska should be on everybody s bucket list...maybe even twice !!

[@Damdamanderson12]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😅😅🎉🎉😂😂😊😊😊 happy chrismas and neu year🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@lilrabbitcuz]

Thanks KZbin algorithm, saw this at the gym and forgot to look it up.

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

What works for Anchorage-Fairbanks or Anchorage-Seward won't necessarily work for Chicago-Twin Cities, New York-Albany, Philadelphia-Pittsburgh, or other routes.

[@writer2003]

I’m on the railroad now! Taking it from Fairbanks all the way to Anchorage. I chose gold star service and it backs its name! Thank you for the great service you provide, it’s wonderful

[@fleece192]

What a cool story. Too cold for me. 😊

[@jennifersnipes4177]

Beautiful! Id love to ride the train!

[@vinucini4341]

O beautiful America, America the beautiful ❤

[@carolsopinski4549]

Bless those who keep the memories going❤

[@BirbarianHomeGuard]

Toot toot!

[@shannonbowman5990]

❤

[@Raymanujan]

Sad for the guy doing the same job since 19.

[@garydean0308]

The fares are so expensive, we locals can't afford it.

[@gosikh]

Oh! I did not know about this train.

[@AsiaUnscripted]

Mentalcase sun

[@alexolson5773]

those are dall sheep. not mt. goats. do some research cbs

[@temikalomas]

My favorite memory is when one took a selfie with me at the Anchorage zoo. I wanted to take it home.

[@terryhoblit1954]

Who cares I don't live or want to live in Alaska. I don't want to visit Alaska.

[@charlesking5328]

Hard to imagine not wanting to see all the natural beauty of Alaska in my opinion.

[@sunnyskye213]

Mine too! At least go once; educational & as well BEAUTIFUL....

[@terryhoblit1954]

@sunnyskye213 nope I have no interest in visiting Alaska

[@terryhoblit1954]

@@charlesking5328 then you go. I don't like snow

[@sunnyskye213]

Summertime &/or late summer, early Fall....IDEAL!!!!😉😮

[@pamelamays4186]

Alaska is still the truly the final frontier of the United States.🏔️🚂

[@Railhog2102]

The only untamed one, Alaska was even connected with Russia ages ago