Railroad Forums 

  • Why no Rail Line to Alaska?

  • Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in Canada. For specific railroad questions, see Fallen Flags and Active Railroads categories.
Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in Canada. For specific railroad questions, see Fallen Flags and Active Railroads categories.

Moderator: Ken V

 #713212  by Trainman101
 
Whats the history? has anyone every surveyed or chartered a line to alaska? Is there any chance a line will ever connect from canada to alaska or is a barge good enough?
 #713220  by amtrakhogger
 
There was a plan to connect the BCR (British Columbia Railway) with the Alaska Railroad about 30 years ago or so. The idea fizzled due to the high construction costs and the projected limited return on investment associated with building into such a remote area. Some actual construction did take take place (known as BCR's Dease Lake Extension.)
 #713276  by AgentSkelly
 
There was a international commission formed by the US and Canadian gov'ts back in the 90s that developed a plan that would of the connected the Alaska Railroad to the rest of North America via way of the Yukon. I know the Canadian side said no to such ideas until recently which the Yukon gov't wants the Harper gov't to say yes.
 #738482  by Gilbert B Norman
 
Look around for a book titled "A Railroad for Tomorrow" by Edward Hungerford.

One of the many fantasies described within this work is a railroad to Alaska.