Alaska Railroad Revises 2021 Summer Train Schedule

 The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) announces a revised operating schedule for its summer 2021 passenger train service. The change reduces the traditional frequency for one train, and shortens the season for all summer routes.

The Coastal Classic, with service between Anchorage and Seward, and the Glacier Discovery, connecting Anchorage with Whittier and Spencer Glacier, will both operate round-trip daily, May 29 through September 6, 2021.

The Denali Star (which traditionally offered daily bi-directional service between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks) will now offer bi-directional service on Sundays and alternating single-direction service the remaining six days of the week. Between May 29 and September 5, the northbound Denali Star will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; while the southbound train will run Mondays, Wednesdays Fridays and Sundays.

The Hurricane Turn flagstop will continue as a merged service on the Denali Star’s revised schedule.

“We believe this schedule right-sizes service with passenger demand, which is still encouraging, given the substantial increase in total train departures compared to summer 2020,” says Dale Wade, VP Marketing & Customer Service.

“We’re excited to return to daily service on all summer routes, and we welcome Alaskans and visitors aboard to explore all the wonderful destinations we serve.”