WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE ANNOUNCES NEW STEAM ENGINE

This was the headline that greeted us at the start of last year. The narrow gauge line had come to terms to bring steam engine #40, a 1920 built Baldwin 2-8-0, from Colorado-s Gerogetown Loop Railroad up to Alaska and the Yukon to be part of planned 100th Anniversary celebrations that would take place at Carcross, in the Yukon. The engine joined restored WP & Y loco #73 on steam power duties out of Skagway as well, where steam often takes the excursion train its first few miles before diesels are pot on the point for the trip up White Pass.

Plans were being put in place for a grand -steam meet- at Carcross on July 29, 2000 when the official ceremony of the 100th anniversary of the last spike would be held. Both engines would be present, and would come face to face (or is that nose to nose) for the grand event. Plans were shaping up, and a special new logo was ready for the event. Compare the logo to the one at the bottom of this page, as presented on a deck of the company-s souvenir playing cards in 1905.

THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT - by Len Brown

Further to the item in the August 2000 WCRA News, I had the privilege to attend the 100th Anniversary of the last spike of the White Pass & Yukon at Carcross in the Yukon on July 29, 2000. The press estimated that 5,000 people attended.

Ten Caseys (speeders) from all across North America journeyed to Whitehorse and traveled the 43 miles from Whitehorse to Carcross on Friday the 28th of July. They participated in the celebration on July 29 and then continued over the line to Skagway, returning the entire length of the line (110 miles) to Whitehorse on July 31.

On Friday the 28th, engine #73 (Baldwin 1947) hauled four cars on a special excursion from Skagway to Carcross (67.5 miles). Prior to and after the ceremonies, #73 ran several free five mile trips down lake Bennett and back for the public. A

new monument was unveiled at Carcross to celebrate the double last spike ceremonies of 1900 and 2000. Just before the commemorative gold plated last spike was driven by a relative of Mike Heaney (the man who made it all possible by convincing British financiers in 1898), Engine #40 (on a five year lease to WP&Y) arrived with freight car 742, a flat car with a load of sleepers and cabooses #909. The ceremonial last spike took place between locomotives #73 and #40, facing nose to nose. (photos on page 20 at Carcross by Cathie Archibald, WP&YR)

On Sunday the 30th, two steam trains traveled the whole length again to return the rolling stock to Skagway. Everything turned out very well for the event-even the weather cooperated with 20 degrees Celcius and sunny periods. Well Done WP & Y!

 

RIDING THE WHITE PASS & YUKON - by R. Pendril Brown

In August of 2000 I was able to travel on the White Pass & Yukon steam excursion to Lake Bennett and here is an account of it. I started after disembarking from the MS Veendam after a cruise from Vancouver to Skagway, arriving there August 27.

Of course, I had planned all along to take the WP & Y excursion train to Fraser, BC. Imagine my delight when I found out that this year-the railway-s 100th anniversary-they were operating a steam powered train to Lake Bennett! This train operated only on Sundays, and August 27 was the last trip of the season. I was really in luck!

Our consist was steam locomotive #73, the 1947 Baldwin 2-8-2, tender, a boxcar for baggage (for hikers) and four coaches. The coaches were all of similar design-some were originals and some newer copies. They have no electric power but are equipped with oil or propane stoves and have open vestibules-where passengers are allowed.

The train departs at 0745 and arrives back at 1630 hours-a good full day of narrow gauge delight. A box lunch is served at the Lake Bennett station, a well maintained building from 1903. There was a good guide along, well informed on geographic and historical matters. Fare for the round trip was $159 US.

From Skagway, the line quickly starts to climb the steep grades to the summit of White Pass and the engine really puts on a grand show. The weather improved as we went and there was sunshine as we passed the summit at 2865 feet above sea level. At Bennett we had 1 1/2 hours to relax while the locomotive was turned and a guided tour of the told town site was given by Parks Canada people. Interestingly, there are no trees of any significant size as they were all cut down a century ago to make over 7,000 boats for the Klondikers to travel down the lake to the gold fields.

There is lots of maintenance being done on the roadbed as the 13 miles from Fraser to Lake Bennett is being brought up to standard-speed there is 15 mph for now. The regular trains only go to Fraser, but special service is being extended to Carcross for 2001. On the line from Skagway, however, there can be as many as 12 regular train trips occasioned by the arrival of up to six cruise ships.

There was not a huge crowd on our train, one car was reserved for hikers in both directions. Tea and coffee were supplied en route. On my particular day, there were only two ships and we only saw one other train, passing it twice along the way.

All in all, the trip was a very enjoyable and exciting experience. One day, I hope to be able to ride the train all the way to Whitehorse once again

WHITE PASS & YUKON-INTO THE FUTURE

The cruise industry has brought new found prosperity to the century old narrow gauge line. The total number of passengers riding the line in 2000 was 303,245-up from 274,000 in 1999. Just think-when the line was reopened back in 1988 (after a six year closure) they carried 37,000 passengers! Year 2001 portends well as several new cruise ships will be added to the Alaska run, bringing more and more people dockside at Skagway where the little trains wait to put on a show.

Plans are to make Carcross a regular destination for special excursions in 2001, making the line the longest operating narrow gauge line in North America. This service is designed to cater to Europeans arriving by charter flight to Whitehorse, and will be accessed by motor coach from that city. Steam will also serve this route. Future plans are in the works, as the line keeps working its way slowly back towards Whitehorse. One day, we hope steam will arrive back in that city enabling operations along the whole line once again.