The Alaska Railroad depot sits at the end of the Talkeetna Spur Road and serves two routes: the Denali Star (Anchorage to Fairbanks, running daily in summer) and the Aurora Winter Train (weekend service in winter). It is the most comfortable and scenic way to arrive from Anchorage, taking around three hours through wilderness that the road does not show you.
The train is also the only practical option for those without a car. A flag-stop system operates on the Aurora route, allowing passengers to disembark at remote backcountry locations -- a useful feature for anyone planning to fish or hike off the road system. Check the Alaska Railroad schedule carefully, as service frequency changes significantly between summer and winter.