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White Pass and Yukon

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  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Altadena, CA
  • 340 posts
White Pass and Yukon
Posted by 081552 on Monday, June 25, 2007 6:35 PM

I just returned from the White Pass and Yukon Trains Unlimited Trip. It was a great four days of railroading althought I could skip Skagway, AK. Five cruise ships dumping 10,000 people into a town of 1,000 doesn't work well.

 We had one day with #73. The attached photos show the engine during a run by at Glacier and stopped on a siding.


 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Antioch, IL
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Posted by greyhounds on Monday, June 25, 2007 11:44 PM

I love those little trains and that railroad.

When I was there around 1999 I got off the ship and walked over to the 800 HP shovel nose diesel (one of three) leading our train.  I just reached out and touched it.  It was a WOW! moment.

Greatest train ride I've ever had.

"By many measures, the U.S. freight rail system is the safest, most efficient and cost effective in the world." - Federal Railroad Administration, October, 2009. I'm just your average, everyday, uncivilized howling "anti-government" critic of mass government expenditures for "High Speed Rail" in the US. And I'm gosh darn proud of that.
  • Member since
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  • 549 posts
Posted by Jim Wrinn on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 5:34 PM
It was a great trip, wasn't it! Super scenery. Great railraod. Fantastic crews!

Jim Wrinn
Jim Wrinn, Editor, Trains magazine
  • Member since
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  • 328 posts
Posted by lenzfamily on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 11:33 PM

Check out the photo section of the WhitePass website, wpyr.com. In the photo section and links are great pictures of a plow extra and tour with #1 Rotary and two steam locomotives clearing the Log Cabin section in April 2005. Is WPYR Trains Unlimited an annual event? I can just imagine 4 days between Skagway and Carcross! Especially at this time of year.

Charlie 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philadelphia
  • 440 posts
Posted by michaelstevens on Monday, July 2, 2007 7:00 PM

I rode the line back in the late 70's.

We stopped for lunch at Bennett Lake. Then went all the way to Whitehorse. I distinctly remember passing a train of mineral hoppers, headed for Skagway, just West of Carcross.

 

British Mike in Philly
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Michigan City, In.
  • 781 posts
Posted by spikejones52002 on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 7:57 AM

I made my trek to Alaska after the G.R convention in Settle WA. Aug 2001.

After riding the AK RR. I tour bused to Skagway. At the Nouthern terminus as the tour group went shopping. I walked the WP& Y RR tracks.

I met an employee ( the tallest Irish Man I ever met). He was moving about in rail motor car. I asked if I could have a ride.

After he quickly looked around the area. I got the neetest 100 ft ride of a life time. Then I kicked myself in the A_ _. MY video camera was on my lap. 

I rank the W.P & Y. RR.,  the Cumber & Toltec RR., Georgetown Loop, as one of the top  RR to ride behind a steam engine.

  • Member since
    August 2001
  • From: US
  • 240 posts
My day on the White Pass
Posted by gbrewer on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 10:12 AM
I returned a month ago from my first visit to the WP&YR.  My trip was more ordinary – I arrived in Skagway the now usual way: aboard a cruise ship. My trip was on one of the regular trains only as far as White Pass.  Too bad I didn’t get to ride behind the 73 or go a bit farther up the line, but still I had a wonderful time.


The following web page outlines a little history of the line and contains a few photos from my day:

Gold Rush Narrow Gauge

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: The Sunny South
  • 430 posts
Posted by Cheese on Saturday, July 7, 2007 10:16 PM

Cool,

I have had lots of experinence with White Pass Mikados. #70 and #192 at Dollywood. Lots of pictures and cabrides in both (every time I visit I have at least 1).

My Aunt, Uncle, Great Aunt, Grandma, and Cousin are up in Vancouver and soon they will head to Skagway. They aren't going to ride the White Pass, but they said they'd take pictures of the trains and railroad stuff around Skagway.

Cheese

Nick! :)

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