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Yay train rides. The sway of the cars and that clickity-clack sound. It’s instantly relaxing. Like many people, riding the fancy dome car with Alaska Railroad, was on our Alaska bucket list.

As we lack unlimited funds, we could only afford to take the fancy dome car on one of our train journeys. We decide to choose the budget car for our trip from Fairbanks to Denali, and the luxury dome car for our trip from Denali to Anchorage.

Budget Car

We arrive at the Fairbanks Train Depot bright and early.

Alaska Railroad is impressively organized. Check-in is quick and easy. So quick, we have time to kill, so we meander around in the miniature train room.

Soon enough it’s time to board the train. The Alaska Railroad calls the budget car the “Adventure” car. Everyone else refers to it as the “peasant” car.

No, it’s not as cool as the dome car, but there are advantages to riding in the “peasant” car.

Because the fancy cars are super popular, we practically have the entire peasant car all to ourselves.

This means that we are free to roam about. We have our pick of windows for pictures.

All of the Alaska Railroad cars include narration. Another advantage to the “peasant car” is that it’s  at the back of the train. Our car’s location gives the narrator plenty of time to alert us to interesting sights ahead. Including people along the way waving at the train.

The dining car is nicer than expected, and except for a family playing cards, it’s also empty. We have no need of food, but the coffee is nice.

A lot of the scenery contains dense, up close, trees, but there are still plenty of views that make us oooh and ahhh.

In four short hours, we arrive at the Denali Station. The adventure continues.

If you feel like the dome car is financially, out of reach, don’t skip the Alaska Railroad all together. The Adventure car is a great time. The mountains are still going to show off, they don’t care if you’re on a budget.

Luxury Car

With information that it was the more scenic train ride, and given that it was the longer journey (7 hours), we splurge and book a trip on the Wilderness Express car aka, the fancy dome car. Wilderness Express is owned by a separate company, but pulled by Alaska Railroad.

It’s hard not to be in awe as you enter the dome car.

Blue skies above. Cozy seats, and plenty of space to charge your electronics, mesmerizes from the start.

To our absolute delight, we discover our seats are at the very front of the car.

The fancy car has two narrators and a wait staff.

There are tasty drinks for purchase. I feel like a Princess.

I’ve never eaten in a train dining car before. My heart is aflutter with romantic notions of noshing on fish as we glide along the tracks.

Our meals are yummy, and best of all, there’s ice cream for dessert.

Train food is better than I thought. We didn’t get to dine with a Countess, but we did get to dine with someone from Panama (my favorite country), so consider my dining car dreams mostly fulfilled.

The scenery is captivating.

Being at the very front of the very first car has its disadvantage. Countless times, we pass by astounding vistas, and it’s only after the fact that I ponder,

I probably should have taken a picture of that.

Most of the narration occurs after we’ve already gawked at the view.

The scenery is astounding. My eyes stay glued to the window for fear of missing out on one magnificent tree.

We encounter a brief rain shower. I am transfixed by the intricate, raindrop, ballet, being performed atop the dome.

One of the staff members notices me. She sighs wistfully, saying she never tires of the raindrop dance.

Our ride in the fancy dome car ends too soon. It’s a seven hour ride, but I could ride for seven hours more.

Train rides relieve you of the responsibility of driving, and it’s not as harrowing as plane rides. It’s the perfect in-between transportation option.

A dome car train ride in Alaska, definitely fulfilled a bucket-list item. It reminded me how exciting trains can be, and I look forward to my next ride on the rails, wherever it may be.

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Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska Staying at Denali Dome Home-Bed and Breakfast Dining in Denali-Alaska Denali National Park-Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond