Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Hello from the 49th State of the Union, in Alaska! It's been a few years since my last visit to the state of Alaska, and it's always a treat to visit this amazing place.
In this video, we will focus freight train operations on the Alaska Railroad. Serving as a vital link for shipping and commerce, the Alaska Railroad runs frequent freight service throughout its rail network.
Five night a week, the Alaska Railroad runs their Anchorage to Fairbanks freight train. Connecting the interior to the Southern part of the state, this train departs from Anchorage and Fairbanks at around 2000 hours, and runs all night to each respective city. Designated as trains 130N and 130S, these trains are easily chasable in the Summer months, thanks to the "midnight sun" conditions. We'll chase the train 130N from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and meet train 130S along the way.
In addition, we'll follow train 188W. Known as the Usibelli Coal Turn, this train is the last regularly running coal train operating on the Alaska Railroad. It transports coal from the Usibelli Mine (located just north of Healy, Alaska), north to the city of Fairbanks.
All locations and information listed in chapters below.
Thanks for watching! | Video and Content by MichaelLovesTrains 2026
#trains #trainspotting
Timeline:
0:00 - ARR 4014, Train 150W (Birchwood)
1:10 - ARR 4013, 130N
2:45 - ARR 4012, 150W (Eklutna)
4:25 - ARR 4015, 130N (Matanuska River)
7:22 - ARR 4013, 130S (Matanuska Junction)
8:49 - ARR 4014, 150W (Nancy Lake)
9:42 - The begin of the Northbound 130N overnight chase at Kashwitna
11:17 - Passing the Hurricane Turn Train at Talkeetna
13:30 - Powering up the grade at Hurricane
19:00 - Negociating the series of curves at Honolulu Creek
23:20 - Meeting the Southbound Manifest, train 130S at Broad Pass, 2:15 AM
28:45 - The freight passing Summit
31:05 - Passing through the scenic Healy River Canyon at sunrise, 4:15 AM
36:14 - Early morning golden hour at Clear Siding, 5:15 AM
38:07 - Passing through Nenana, and crossing the Mears Memorial Bridge
44:20 - ARR 4014, 130N (Ester)
46:20 - ARR 4015, 130S (Happy)
48:33 - ARR 4015, 130N (Fairbanks)
52:00 - ARR 4327, 188W (Fairbanks)
53:26 - ARR 3005, 188W (Nenana)
54:10 - ARR 3005 crossing the Mears Memorial Bridge
55:20 - ARR 4327 crossing the Mears Memorial Bridge
56:55 - ARR 3005 leaving Nenana
58:45 - ARR 3005, 188W (Ferry)
Hello from the 49th State of the Union, in Alaska! It's been a few years since my last visit to the state of Alaska, and it's always a treat to visit this amazing place.
In this video, we will focus freight train operations on the Alaska Railroad. Serving as a vital link for shipping and commerce, the Alaska Railroad runs frequent freight service throughout its rail network.
Five night a week, the Alaska Railroad runs their Anchorage to Fairbanks freight train. Connecting the interior to the Southern part of the state, this train departs from Anchorage and Fairbanks at around 2000 hours, and runs all night to each respective city. Designated as trains 130N and 130S, these trains are easily chasable in the Summer months, thanks to the "midnight sun" conditions. We'll chase the train 130N from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and meet train 130S along the way.
In addition, we'll follow train 188W. Known as the Usibelli Coal Turn, this train is the last regularly running coal train operating on the Alaska Railroad. It transports coal from the Usibelli Mine (located just north of Healy, Alaska), north to the city of Fairbanks.
All locations and information listed in chapters below.
Thanks for watching! | Video and Content by MichaelLovesTrains 2026
#trains #trainspotting
Timeline:
0:00 - ARR 4014, Train 150W (Birchwood)
1:10 - ARR 4013, 130N
2:45 - ARR 4012, 150W (Eklutna)
4:25 - ARR 4015, 130N (Matanuska River)
7:22 - ARR 4013, 130S (Matanuska Junction)
8:49 - ARR 4014, 150W (Nancy Lake)
9:42 - The begin of the Northbound 130N overnight chase at Kashwitna
11:17 - Passing the Hurricane Turn Train at Talkeetna
13:30 - Powering up the grade at Hurricane
19:00 - Negociating the series of curves at Honolulu Creek
23:20 - Meeting the Southbound Manifest, train 130S at Broad Pass, 2:15 AM
28:45 - The freight passing Summit
31:05 - Passing through the scenic Healy River Canyon at sunrise, 4:15 AM
36:14 - Early morning golden hour at Clear Siding, 5:15 AM
38:07 - Passing through Nenana, and crossing the Mears Memorial Bridge
44:20 - ARR 4014, 130N (Ester)
46:20 - ARR 4015, 130S (Happy)
48:33 - ARR 4015, 130N (Fairbanks)
52:00 - ARR 4327, 188W (Fairbanks)
53:26 - ARR 3005, 188W (Nenana)
54:10 - ARR 3005 crossing the Mears Memorial Bridge
55:20 - ARR 4327 crossing the Mears Memorial Bridge
56:55 - ARR 3005 leaving Nenana
58:45 - ARR 3005, 188W (Ferry)
