Alaska Central Railway constructed the first railroad in Alaska starting in Seward in 1903. Bankrupt in 1907 it was reorganized as the Alaska Northern Railway Co. in 1910.

The Alaska Railroad Co. was established in 1914 when Congress agreed to fund construction of a railroad from Seward to Fairbanks. The headquarters was moved to Anchorage, which was created as a railroad construction town. Construction was completed in July 1923 when President Warren G. Harding drove the golden spike on the north side of the bridge.

Alaska Railroad is still in operation today and "The best way to see Alaska is on the railroad."