Just Trains

This is a personal webpage and is not affiliated with the Alaska Railroad. We just like traveling by rail during all seasons and have created this site to show what you have been missing. It's still the only way to see and enjoy Alaska.

The new Alaska Railroad Depot in Fairbanks on the first day of passenger departure, May 15, 2005.

The summer tourist season is now under way. The train , now called the "Denali", runs daily between Fairbanks and Anchorage. Here is a link to the schedule.

This is still the best way to See Alaska and it shows in this photo.

The "Aurora" will return this fall after the hoard of tourist have left. Click here to check the schedules.

Our Alaska Railroad Photos
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Photos of some of the track construction activities in Fairbanks for the new loop. The first use of concrete crossties for new rail construction in Fairbanks.



These photos were taken in May 2005 at the opening of the new Fairbanks Depot, the start of the tourist season and first class passenger service on the new cars.





Remember When

What did we use before all the new items shown above became the norm? Do you remember when you had to ride the RDC from Fairbanks to Anchorage in the winter. The Fairbanks depot parking in the summer was so crowded you had to park elsewhere and walk back to the station. The road was always blocked by the train in the summer tourist season. Tour cars had to be parked in the Yard Area and the passengers bussed to the Depot or lodging facilities. Crossties were wood with creosote preservative which wasn't hazardous to your health. The drinking water for passengers was really melted ice that didn't bother anyone. A trip to the restroom gave you a look at the tracks and crossties below. The signs in the restroom state " Do not flush while train is stopped at the station" Why, you may ask. Click HERE to find out.

The final passengers leaving the old depot in Fairbanks on the Aurora train, winter schedule, May 2005. After this run, the depot closed forever.


A shot of the final train leaving Fairbanks from the old station, May 2005. This is the Aurora leaving for Anchorage on its' weekly winter schedule. Yes, we have snow in May. After departure, the connection into the main line was removed which allowed for the connection into the new loop to the station.

The old depot in Fairbanks shown in September 2005. Abandoned but not forgotten. Dedicated in 1960, closed in 2005.

While standing at the road crossing of the new loop in Fairbanks, this photo shows the tracks (to the right) into the old station that were abandon 4 months earlier. Another track, parts of which is still visible, ran parallel to the road, Phillips Field Road, to the Coal Bunkers.

Can you recall or were you at the dedication of the third railroad station in 1960?

The end of the main line in Fairbanks and the restaurant located behind this sign was the Pump Station?

The second old railroad station? It was build by the Alaska Engineering Company (AEC) and demolished around 1961. It was located off Illinois Street near today's Samson Hardware store in an area which would be in the Southeast corner of today's Fairbanks Daily News-Miner building. Note: The first railroad station was built by the Tanana Valley Railroad and was located directly opposite this one. The log structure in the background was both restaurant, ground floor, and boarding house above. That structure was sold at auction in 1995, and demolished shortly thereafter with the logs being used by a local builder. It was a landmark you could not forget. This photo shows three rails which represented the narrow gauge of the Tanana Valley Railroad and the standard gauge for the Alaska Railroad.

The year was sometime in the 20's or 30's and College, Alaska had a railroad station using narrow gauge tracks. I didn't know that. Here is the proof and video. I have previously heard about a "Toonerville Trolley" running on a narrow gauge line (the old Tanana Valley railroad) from Fairbanks to College. It was actually a Brill Motorcoach from the J.G. Brill Company or the Brill car. The college during this period was known as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines which later became the University of Alaska. This video courtesy of the Alaska Film Archives. (See video below of College Station today).

Having a real winter adventure and not in a hurry? Take a trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage on the RDC. That was the only rail travel available. This is RDC 701 leaving Fairbanks for Anchorage, April 1990. It was a "Rail Diesel Car" which was the engine, baggage car and passenger area built by the Budd Company as a self contained unit. This mode of travel was later expanded for additional passengers by using the RDC with passenger cars in tow.

A trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage in May 1995 where we meet the Northbound train going to Fairbanks from Anchorage. This video was made from the Princess Tours Observation car.

The winter travel season of today has really changed as compared to the link above. This video is winter train Aurora, leaving Fairbanks for Anchorage on February 12, 2006. The Alaska Railroad now offers full dining service for all who desire to dine while traveling. I tried making an additional video in QuickTime format and RealPlayer but the new mp4 version is still the best. Click HERE and see the difference.

College Station today is missing the station. The UAF power plant now occupies the area. This video shows the siding today which is now used to transport coal cars for plant operation. The last scene shows the old road crossing for the road and trail which went from College to Nenana.

Copyright Notice
The Alaska Railroad's registered trade name, "Alaska Railroad," copyrighted logo, and company brands such as the Aurora, Denali Star, Coastal Classic etc. may not be used by companies and other commercial and non-commercial entities without the prior written permission of the Alaska Railroad Corporation.