Copper River and Northwestern Railway
Copper River and Northwestern Railway, Railway historic district in Copper River Census Area, United States
The railway network connected the port of Cordova to the Kennecott mines through 196 miles of tracks across rivers, canyons, glaciers and mountains.
The railroad system, constructed between 1908 and 1911 by the Kennecott Corporation, required a $25 million investment to transport copper ore worth $200 million.
The railway earned the nickname 'Can't Run and Never Will' from locals who observed its construction through extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain.
The former railway corridor now forms part of McCarthy Road, providing vehicle access between the communities of Chitina and McCarthy in Alaska.
The Million Dollar Bridge, spanning the Copper River, underwent repairs in the 2000s despite lacking road access, as restoration proved less expensive than demolition.
Location: Copper River Census Area
Location: Chugach Census Area
Inception: 1907
GPS coordinates: 61.29280,-144.71300
Latest update: May 10, 2025 23:02
Kennecott
99.6 km
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve
95.2 km
Mount Blackburn
83.7 km
Million Dollar Bridge
69 km
Mount Wrangell
87.4 km
Worthington Glacier
57.9 km
Kennicott Glacier
93.9 km
Atna Peaks
93.7 km
Keystone Canyon
69.5 km
Mount Billy Mitchell
31.7 km
Klutina River
74.5 km
Blueberry Hill
91.3 km
Miles Glacier
81.3 km
Bremner Historic Mining District
74.6 km
St. Michael the Archangel Church
100.3 km
Cordova Post Office and Courthouse
100.5 km
Martin River Glacier
92.7 km
Kuskulana River
49.8 km
Lowe River
63.9 km
Valdez Glacier
80.3 km
Scott Glacier
71 km
Red Dragon Historic District
100.9 km
Sheridan Glacier
86.8 km
Childs Glacier
69.6 km
Allen Glacier
58.1 km
Tonsina River
43.5 km
Shoup Glacier
91.5 km
Valdez Museum
89.9 kmReviews
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