Alaska Railroad Goldstar Dome

After our Husky Homestead tour, our bus driver took us to Denali State park.  We had a little time to explore the visitor center and look around, but it was COLD and we were hauling our luggage so we headed to the Denali Park Depot. 

After we purchased our Alaskan cruise EVERYONE said we had to ride the train from Denali to Anchorage.  The views were spectacular they said.  As I mentioned previously, we worked it in so that we made a bus trip to Denali one day and turned around and headed back to Anchorage the next on the train.  It was the end of the trip and as I boarded I thought, “This better be worth it!”

After deciding on the train, next I had to choose what class.  I was surprised to realize there are even choices in the dome trains.  We were told that the Wilderness Express was a great option, being that it is less expensive than the much talked about GoldStar class.  In consideration I thought if I was going to go to all that trouble to ride the train, I might as well go all out. 

I loved that we were free to stand up and walk about the train to get a better view or take photos.  In my consideration two things tipped the scales for me in my decision over the Wilderness Express.  The GoldStar service comes with complimentary beverages.  Now, really, with the difference in price I could have bought all the drinks I wanted and then some on the other train, but little things like drinks being included speak to me.  However, the Coke was served tap style, had absolutely no fizz, and I couldn’t drink it.  Ha ha.  Luckily I had a can of Coke in my backpack! 

And the main reason I chose Goldstar was the look out car.  It was spacious and located on the second level, whereas I was told the Wilderness Express look out was on the ground level.  If the view was as great as everyone said it was, I wanted to be able to see it and get photos!  Truly I spent a lot of time outside on this car and was so glad to have it available. 

Was the view worth it and eating on a train coming soon…