TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Travel by Train

By

J.L. Gupta

A land tour of ALASKA. By train. From FAIRBANKS to ANCHORAGE. The train is called – ‘Wilderness Express.’ En-route, it took us to Denali in  the Tundra Region. We were taken to the Denali National Park in a coach.

The Wilderness Express at FAIRBANKS 

View on the way.

It has double-decker bogeys with a glass roof. Resultantly, the field of vision is widened. The passengers get a very good view of the surroundings while relaxing in their cozy seats. The guide on board gives a glimpse of the complete tour in precise terms.

The inside view 

There are various other amenities. On board and en-route. Like, a well stocked and well managed Bar. Also the Dining Car that serves good meals and sumptuous puddings. The journey takes a few days. Every day, we travelled till the next station where all were lodged in a good and comfortable place.

The passengers

 All seemed exciting and interesting. It was systematic and well organized. We passed by the snow covered hills; running water and plenty of greenery. There was perfect harmony between man and nature. Not a single piece of plastic was seen anywhere. Not a single drain discharged the city’s waste into the running waters or on the open lands. Resultantly, everywhere the air was clean and the water potable. No pollution. No stink. Not even a smell. Only scent. Not surprisingly, the people looked physically fit and absolutely healthy.

On board the train, just one girl

She kept everyone's spirits high

Single-handed

mouth watering puddings

managed the bar. She looked after the needs of about sixty passengers in the bogey very efficiently. She provided the drinks that ranged from simple water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate to Bloody Mary, different kinds of hard drinks and fancy cocktails. She took orders; prepared and served the drinks on the running train. In between, she prepared the bills, washed the glasses and also collected the cheques.

At every stop, one or two young girls managed everything. They brought back the passengers who had reached the previous day and took away those who had reached their destination for the day. They loaded and unloaded heavy bags; drove the coaches through all kinds of terrain and weather efficiently and without any hiccup. The travel from the station to the Motel or the hotel and the delivery of bags were handled well. The places were chosen with an eye on aesthetics. The bags were invariably in our rooms by the time we reached there. Everywhere  we were given a general briefing about the place and the people. The weather was generally cold or very cold. 

Despite the weather, the people were warm and friendly. The tour was thoroughly  enjoyable. 
We must learn to keep our places as well, neat and clean, as they do! No plastic anywhere.

View from the Window

At the Denali National Park

One of the Motels

 Snow-covered Peaks & Greenery

Photos by the author with Cyber shot mostly from the moving train or coach.