Alaska's Gold Rush Train

The real test of a travel video is this: Does it make me want to get off my oversized butt and experience it for myself? In the case of Alaska's Gold Rush Train, which aired on PBS last fall, the answer is a resounding "yes!" Travelers considering an Alaskan cruise will be delighted to learn that if their destination is Skagway, they can partake of an entirely new adventure after disembarking, since the starting point of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is right next to the pier. Alaska's Gold Rush Train, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary, is a narrow-gauge train that takes visitors through some of the most spectacular scenery to be found in the Alaskan Panhandle. Along the way, hardy folks seeking a bit more adventure have the options of hiking or taking a helicopter ride to a neighboring glacier and catching the train on its return trip. Guaranteed to get more than a few viewers planning some northern exposure for their next vacation, this is enthusiastically recommended. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)