In 2010 the Alaska Railroad was still running a freight north to Fairbanks 7 nights a week. The usual departure time was between 2000 and 2030 after the arrival on the southbound Denali Star. During the longest days of summer with daylight to nearly midnight one could easily catch these trains well north of Anchorage. However by the time September rolls around it becomes increasingly necessary to catch the freight soon after departure from Anchorage as darkness comes soon after departure. As seen here at MP 119.80, roughly three miles north of Anchorage.
Coal and steel don't go bad. This album features long, slow, heavy freight trains; drag freights, slop freights, dead freights, etc. Trains with lots of power, and lots of different cargo slogging along behind.