Roughly 56 YEARS AGO, I moved to ALASKA.

[Sourdough]

When I came to Alaska there was no direct road from Anchorage to Fairbanks. The "PARKS HIGHWAY" was not yet built. The railroad was direct, and anyone could wave the daily train too stop at any point to either get on or off the train. It was referred to as a "milk-run".

Homesteaders along the tracks could flag-down the train headed south to Anchorage. Spend a few days in Anchorage purchasing building materials, general supplies, see a dentist for a toothache, sell their Beaver & Martin pelts, purchase food. At some point catch the next train going north.

They would tell the Pullman what creek crossing they wanted to be dropped off with their "mountain" of supplies. Stuff would be thrown off at fast as possible. There might be 30 or 40 flag stops, people either getting on train or off train with supplies.

Back then the Alaska Railroad was owned by the Federal Government, was later at some point sold to or transferred to The State of Alaska.

 

[Alaskajohn]

I have an army buddy who lives along the Alaska Railroad line about 30 miles or so south of Cantwell. No road access, so he leaves a car in Talkeetna. He calls it a “whistle stop” and he comes into town about once a month to pick up supplies. Apparently his property is about a half mile from the line and he typically walks to the line dragging a sled.

 

[Snowman]

Information not important so I Deleted it...

 

[montanabill]

53 years ago I rode my motorcycle to anchorage and back.. The alcan was all gravel and mud from just outside dawson creek to the ak border.. Went up to see a army buddy and for the ride... Looking back I should have seen about staying a while and working as a mechanic.....the road not taken.

 

[Tommyice]

There is a Channel on YouTube that I occasionally watch. They have a few videos of using the flag stops

 

[Patchouli]

I watched a documentary about being in Alaska a few years ago.
Which form of transportation is used the most? They showed a train and the supplies thrown off like you’ve mentioned. Lots of planes and boats. Seaplanes, is that what they’re called?
I know a couple from Alaska. He said what he enjoyed the most was being able to drive along and stop at a roadside creek and fish. Have a little cookout right there. Is that what you guys do or have done?

 

[Cabin Fever]

My Dad helped with the building of the Alcan Highway.

 

[Binky]

I watched a documentary about being in Alaska a few years ago.
Which form of transportation is used the most? They showed a train and the supplies thrown off like you’ve mentioned. Lots of planes and boats. Seaplanes, is that what they’re called?
I know a couple from Alaska. He said what he enjoyed the most was being able to drive along and stop at a roadside creek and fish. Have a little cookout right there. Is that what you guys do or have done?

We call them floatplanes, also flying boats (they are the really big ones). They are essential in the far north as there are more places than not that are otherwise completely inaccessible by any other means.

 

[elkhound]

Aint ya glad ya went !! @Sourdough