The Glacier Discovery is a passenger train operated by the Alaska Railroad between the towns of Anchorage, Whittier Alaska and south on the Seward rail line as far as Grandview whistle stop; then back again. It is a seasonal train, only operating between the months of May and September.

Glacier Discovery
Overview
Service typeInter-city/Scenic Tour
StatusOperating
LocaleAlaska
Current operator(s)Alaska Railroad
Route
TerminiAnchorage
Grandview
Stops6
Average journey timeapprox. 10 hours[1]
Service frequencyDaily (May through September)
On-board services
Catering facilitiesCafe car
Baggage facilitiesAvailable in Anchorage and Whittier
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed59 mph (95 km/h)
Track owner(s)Alaska Railroad
Route map
114 mi
183 km
Anchorage
75 mi
121 km
Girdwood
64 mi
103 km
Portage
52 mi
84 km
Whittier
Alaska Marine Highway
55 mi
89 km
Spencer
45 mi
72 km
Grandview

Station Stops

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The Glacier Discovery utilizes part of the Anchorage–Seward route. It makes the following station stops:[2]

After the stop at Grandview the train travels back again:

  • Spencer Whistle Stop
  • Portage[A]
  • Whittier
  • Portage
  • Girdwood
  • Anchorage

Rolling Stock

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The DMU leads the Glacier Discovery

The Glacier Discovery consist uses the following rolling stock

 
Whittier, Alaska. There is no depot in Whittier. Trains load and off-load passengers in the white tented area across from the cruise ship terminal and the marina.

Notes

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A. ^ Return travelers are offered the opportunity to transfer to a motorcoach in Portage, taking them directly back to Anchorage and allowing them to skip the train's return detour to Whittier.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Schedules". Alaska Railroad. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Alaska Railroad official train information". Archived from the original on 2008-10-11.
  3. ^ a b Whistle Stop Project Record of Decision (PDF) (Report). United States Department of Agriculture. May 2006. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "Glacier Discovery". Alaska Railroad. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
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