White Pass Railfan

The White Pass & Yukon Route A Passenger Guide

Extra 73 highballs north out of Skagway, preparing for another ascent on the grade to White Pass.

If you're planning a trip to Skagway, there is a very good chance you will be traveling by cruise ship on your visit and most itineraries limit your time allowed at each destination with a set number of hours in each port. If a visit to the White Pass & Yukon Railway is going to be a highlight of your vacation, it would serve you well to research the various cruise schedules and available excursion options offered while in Skagway.

This guide is written for all potential visitors who may not be familiar with the railroad with the purpose of describing where the variety of trains go, when they operate, and the many differences between them. Everything about the most common ticket, seating, and passport questions will be covered in detail. In addition, rail fans may enjoy the advice about understanding specific train operations and ways to photograph the railroad with limited time.

Gateway to the North

The White Pass & Yukon Route is a narrow gauge railway based in Skagway, Alaska. Originally built to move people and materials to the Yukon during the 1898 Gold Rush, the railway was once part of a massive transportation network that included ships, trucks, airplanes, and even horse drawn sleds that helped open up southeast Alaska, Yukon, and destinations further north to development. The route is located in such a geographically strategic location it was used by the U.S Army during construction of the Alaska Highway. This very same geography composes some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth.

The railroad follows a route that operates among Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon Territory. The White Pass & Yukon is one of three large narrow gauge railroads still operating in the United States, and true to form, it has been awarded many accolades for civil engineering feats, the preserved natural beauty along its route, and the significant role it has played in the history of Alaska and Yukon.

The Route

Departing Skagway at sea level, the railway climbs 2,888 feet to the summit of White Pass within the first 20 miles of track. Many bridges, rock cuts, cribs, and tunnels were constructed through the granite landscape so trains could climb a mostly consistent four- percent grade while ascending the mountainside. As the right-of-way hugs the eastern slope of the mountain, the valley below continues to drop further away on the opposite side of the roadbed. Upon arriving at White Pass, the international border between the United States and Canada crosses the railroad at the summit. Beyond here the route immediately flattens out for several miles and the landscape opens up as the rails dodge back and forth between broken slabs of granite and glacially carved, oblong lakes and pools. A short descending grade brings the railroad along the Summit Lake drainage before entering Fraser, British Columbia.

Fraser only exists as a Canadian customs checkpoint. Located 27 miles by rail from Skagway, it serves the Canadian side of the international border for both railroad and the adjacent highway traffic. Lake Bernard is visible to the east and the last surviving water tank used by the railroad for steam locomotives is located here. Proceeding north, the track winds along three different lake shores before turning west near Mile Post 32 and then enters a deep boreal forest.

After crossing the highway at Log Cabin, the railroad follows this western path for a short distance to access a natural gap in the mountains. Several meadows and marshes are traversed before another descent in the grade brings the route to the southernmost beach of Lake Bennett. Already 40 miles from Skagway, the route continues north. Rails will follow the eastern shoreline of the lake for another 27 miles before arriving at Carcross. During railroad construction, the last section of track to be laid was the stretch between Bennett and Carcross. The delay was due to the amount of blasting required to clear the mountain face away from the lakeshore to compensate for steep underwater cliffs under the surface level of the lake.

Once arriving at the current end-of-the-line in Carcross, a train running this length has covered nearly 68 miles of track, climbed 2,888 feet in elevation, descended 737 feet, operated in two Time Zones, two countries, one American State, and two Canadian Provinces.

The Railroad and Skagway Today

Many visitors familiar with other railroad operations are pleasantly surprised upon their first visit to the White Pass & Yukon. Offices, shops, and maintenance infrastructure along with the large passenger counts and train frequency make the railroad feel much more like an urban commuter line than a preserved American narrow gauge railroad. Over ninety passenger cars are currently used, along with nineteen diesel-electric and two steam locomotives. Nearly 200 employees keep the line running effectively during the height of the season.

The entire route of the railroad lies 110 miles in length from Skagway to Whitehorse, YT. Today, trains only operate between Skagway and Carcross, YT. A decline in freight traffic brought the railroad into bankruptcy in 1982 which resulted in the abandonment of service to Whitehorse, but the railroad was able to reform and re-open with a new focus on tourist service in 1988.

Skagway has resiliently tended a developing economy derived from the tourist and cruise ship industry. The town of Skagway is only populated by about 1,000 year round residents at this time, but seasonal workers add greatly to the population during the summer. Despite its small size, it is possible to

7:02 AM in the Skagway coach yard. The locomotives assigned to the Fraser train wait in the foreground for their engineer. In the distance, the yard crew is taking another set of locomotives down to the dock for one of the summit assignments while #73 pulls up to get into line. travel to Skagway by nearly any means. A small airport hosts regular flights to Juneau among other destinations. By water, most bulk items are brought in by barge from Seattle along with Alaska State Ferry and many cruise ship passengers. Highway access is possible to the outside world by means of AK-98/HWY 2 that connects to the Alaska Highway. Of course, you can still take the train to get in or out if you travel between Skagway, Fraser, Bennett, or Carcross.

Research Your Interests

Today, the White Pass & Yukon is very proud to offer some of the most beautiful train excursions in the world and passengers have several trip options from which to choose. White Pass Summit Excursions originate in Skagway and operate roundtrip to White Pass. The Fraser Excursion/One-Way Trains and Fraser Meadows Steam Excursions operate between Skagway and Fraser. The longest ride available is the Bennett Scenic Journey/Carcross-One Way Service which runs between Skagway and Carcross. There are many differences among the trip options and it is advisable to research photos from the White Pass & Yukon company website (www.wpyr.com) in addition to this article to help illustrate the diversity of scenery each train offers.

Every day of the week the railroad uses a varying operating schedule which is mostly determined by the many different cruise ship operators and their specific requirements. Most railroad tickets are booked in advance through the cruise lines as a shore excursion. Unless you are spending several days in Skagway, your choice of train trips will be limited to the specific day your ship will be in port. Every train may not be operating on a certain day, so it’s very important to research itineraries in advance to avoid disappointment. Without research before booking you may find you arrive on a day that does not operate a steam or Carcross train, or that without being specific enough when purchasing train tickets, booked a tour that only utilizes the train one-way and connects with a tour bus service. Every passenger has different interests and it will be up to you to decide ahead of time the aspect you consider most important.

The 2016 operating season for the White Pass & Yukon will offer various ticket options to ride the trains from May - September. The differences among them will be explained in detail later in this article. Your choices are divided into four categories: White Pass Summit Excursions

Available: May 3 - September 27, 2016 Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours Departure Times: 8:15 AM & 12:45 PM DAILY Additional Departures: 4:30 PM on Tuesdays & Wednesdays (From May 24 - August 31) Limited seating available on the 8:15 AM departure on Wednesdays (From May 25 - August 31) EXCEPTIONS TO SCHEDULE: No Summit train service on May 5, 6, 13, 16 & 22; August 28; September 11, 18, 19, 23, 25 & 26. The 12:45 Summit departure is not available on the following Sundays: May 22; June 5, 19; July 3, 17; August 14, 28

Fraser Excursion/Fraser One-Way Service

Available: May 3 – September 27, 2016 NORTHBOUND: Departs from Skagway Depot at 7:40 AM or 12:10 PM SOUTHBOUND: Departs from Fraser, BC at 10:20 AM or 2:45 PM (AK Time) EXCEPTIONS TO SCHEDULE: No Fraser train service on May 5, 6, 13 & 16 ; September 11, 18, 19, 23, 25 & 26. The PM departures are not available on Sundays and May 3, 4, 7 & 14; September 4, 17 & 24. The AM departures are not available on September 22 & 27. NOTE: Departures from Skagway at 7:40 AM and 12:10 PM require 1/2 mile bus transfer to train departure location. PASSPORT REQUIRED Fraser Meadows Steam Excursions

Available: May 20 - September 9, 2016 Tour Duration: 4 Hours Departure Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 12:00 PM Monday departure times will vary 8:00 AM Departure: May 23; June 6, 20; July 18; August 1, 15, 29 12:00 PM Departure: May 30; June 13, 27; July 4, 11, 25; August 8, 22; September 5 EXCEPTIONS TO SCHEDULE: No Steam Service on Friday, July 1 PASSPORT REQUIRED Bennett Scenic Journey/Carcross One-Way Service

Available Dates: May 31 - September 3, 2016 Tour Duration: 8 Hours Departure Days & Times: 7:30 AM - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Train to Carcross, Bus return to Skagway) 9:30 AM - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Bus to Carcross, Train return to Skagway) 8:30 AM - Saturday (Bus to Carcross, Train return to Skagway) PASSPORT REQUIRED

Information in this schedule pertains only to the 2016 season. Changes may take effect without notice.

Safety Rules and Passenger Amenities

Before describing the experience unique to each train, we should cover what each train will offer as a standard service and the safety rules that will apply to every passenger.

Train Crew Each train is crewed by a conductor, brakeman, and locomotive engineer. In addition, several passenger agents will be on-board to help direct passengers, provide a narrated tour, and assist the operating crew. The conductor is in charge of the train!

A Narrated Tour Each train will be narrated by a tour guide over the public address system. Gold Rush history and highlights along the route are covered before the train passes points of interest to provide plenty of time for passengers to ready their cameras. The tour information will be narrated in both directions of travel.

Seats & Windows Every seat on every coach will have ample views through the many windows. All passengers riding round-trip trains will see both sides of the route. Every passenger will switch seats to the opposite side of the coach as directed by the train crew once the train completes the first portion of the journey.

Platform Viewing Passengers will be permitted to share space at each end of the coach on the outside platforms at the discretion of the crew. The platforms do not have speakers for the convenience of those who do not wish to listen to the tour. Passengers will not be allowed to cross between cars once the train departs. Restrooms & Oil Stoves Every coach has a restroom and an oil stove for the comfort of passengers. Stoves may only be adjusted by the train crew.

Bottled Water, Maps & Souvenirs Self service, complimentary bottled water and route maps will be provided in every car. Look for them at either end of the coach. Towards the end of the trip the passenger agents will walk through the cars and sell souvenir items to those who are interested.

Further details about ticketing and seating assignments will be discussed later along with specific ways the trains are operated and tricks to pursue photographing the railroad with limited time.

The Summit Excursions

A passenger riding this excursion will experience the first twenty miles of the railroad north of Skagway. Climbing from sea level up to the White Pass summit, the route climbs the mountain One of the most photogenic scenes along the railroad is found at Mile Post 15. All face for most of the journey passenger trains will traverse this dramatic grade that ascends to White Pass. crossing many bridges and through two tunnels. The northbound trip terminates at the White Pass where the locomotives are switched to the other end of their train and the crew will direct passengers to swap seats for the opposite view on the return trip.

The great majority of train tickets sold on the railroad are for the Summit Excursions. These seem to be the most popular ticket option for many cruise ship passengers because they allow part of the day to be spent on the train with additional time available for other activities. Depending on ticket sales, each summit train may accommodate over 600 passengers with each train using up to three locomotives and the varying in length from seven to sixteen cars.

Summit trains are listed on the employee timetable as a “fleet” and on busy days, four of these trains will be running in the same bracket, leaving within moments of each other. Up to ten trains per day will operate the summit service using four in the morning, four in the afternoon, and two more in the evening. At White Pass, three of the four possible summit trains will run their locomotives around their coaches, perform a brake test, and then pass each other on the siding to head back south to Skagway in the same order they arrived. On four-summit-train days, the first of the four trains to arrive at White Pass will make an extended run to the Fraser loop, seven miles further. This maneuver makes it the last in the fleet going south because the following three trains northbound will arrive, run-around, and proceed back to Skagway before that first and now fourth train makes it back to White Pass southbound. There is no way to know ahead of time which train will get this assignment. If you w i n d u p o n t h a t particular run, it's mainly luck.

The Fraser Excursion/One-Way Service

Even though it is not a fleet train, the one-way Fraser run is easily the busiest train on the entire railroad. As of 2015, this train now departs Skagway A view of Fraser looking out towards White Pass at dusk. This photo was taken in early May at from a new platform 10:24 PM. Daytime brings thousands of tourists passing through but once the trains and busses built on the south side are gone, it’s a very quiet place. The only people who live here are working border agents while of the coach yard. An on duty and many spend their off-time in Whitehorse, 87 miles away (141 km). absolute majority of passengers on this train are bus one-way, train-opposite because many different tour companies utilize this service to take their passengers by bus to separate activities outside the railroad.

Fraser is a little over 27 rail miles from Skagway. Fraser is the location of the Canadian border station, and every passenger is required to have a passport to ride this or any train that is scheduled to arrive here. It is possible to ride round-trip on the Fraser train but to do so requires a short layover and must be specifically requested when purchasing tickets. The schedule for this train is very tight and requires a fast turn-around for the crew and passengers at each terminal. Typically, 300-1200 people will exchange seats as they transfer from the train to the busses or vice versa. To keep the railroad operating in a timely manner, all of this activity is acutely overseen by the railroad station master who drives ahead of the train on the highway to direct the train crew and tour operators. Delays to this train ultimately affect the rest of the railroad operation and other tour companies, so every effort is made to keep it running on time.

The additional rail miles operated between White Pass and Fraser are only assured to be seen by passengers riding the Fraser, Carcross, or Fraser Meadows Steam Excursions. The scenery immediately to the north of White Pass changes drastically and the view on both sides of the train is very open and sparse compared to the pass. The dramatic climb from Skagway to White Pass and the opposing descent are much best emphasized when passengers see what lies beyond the summit.

Carcross Excursions

The Carcross service is a special trip but may be the least known train operating on the railroad. These are the only trains operating north of Fraser into the Yukon, and the only train with a meal service and scheduled stop for through- passengers. The scenery of the line is unmatched when the beauty of the lake district and the dramatic route carved out of the mountain for the climb to White Pass are combined into one trip.

The north end of the Chilkoot Trail meets the railroad at Bennett. One of the most recognized foot trails in the world, hundreds of hikers from the Chilkoot will opt to board the train here each summer for a ride back to the outside world. In addition to the hikers, kayakers will take the train in from Skagway, Fraser, or Carcross and then set off to enjoy the lake or navigate all the way to the Bering Sea. Even though this Glassy water on Lake Bennett is an occasional treat only enjoyed by passengers riding the a b a n d o n e d t o w n i s a Carcross train. highlight for through- passengers as a meal stop, Bennett is still an active station at train time.

Most passengers will not be able to ride the train both directions on roundtrip days due to the time required. As with the Fraser train, a huge majority of the tickets to Carcross use a bus for the opposing trip. The train portion takes over five hours each way, not including the bus ride. Each tour operator will include different side trips on the way to or from Carcross, and you may want to research them ahead of time to see what they include. The train runs roundtrip three-times-per-week Tuesday through Thursday. Friday is northbound-only, and Saturday is southbound-only. Fraser Meadows Steam Excursion

When people imagine a train, they tend to think of a steam locomotive. Steam locomotives are a full sensory experience with rhythmic sounds, antique smells, and a spectacle to watch with steam and smoke whirling through the landscape when they pass. The only trains operated at White Pass with a steam locomotive are the Fraser Meadows Steam Excursions which are currently scheduled on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

#73 rolls south over bridge 7A. Please note that everyone may not understand the difference between a steam and diesel locomotive. Reservation agents on the ship or at a travel agency may mistakenly describe another train as the steam train unknowingly.

The steam train runs roundtrip from Skagway to Fraser and return. Arriving at Fraser, it will pull off the main track into a loop track to clear the main for the following Fraser Train No. 21 or 23. Once stopped in the loop, the crew will take water for the engine with a pump from the adjacent creek while the engineer and fireman grease rod bearings and oil around the running gear. The train will start back to Skagway once the locomotive has been serviced and the other train has passed. Passengers are required to remain on board for the duration of the trip.

Unlike a majority of steam locomotives operated at tourist railroads around the country pulling several cars at a leisurely pace, this run up to the summit features a strenuous climb that will put the engine to work and all the sights, sounds, and smells of the locomotive will be on full display. A trip up White Pass should not disappoint rail enthusiasts who are looking for a legacy steam experience.

Seating Assignments, Tickets, & Passports

The order of seating assignments to particular coaches and train consists will change every single day. Passengers originate from a great a multitude of sources, there is no way to predict where in the train you will be assigned to ride. A single train may handle over 2,000 passengers in one day, all of which are coming from different ships and tour operators. These logistical demands will constantly change the operating plans for the railroad crew. It is important to only listen to the directions of railroad employees when asking questions about your ticket or boarding instructions. Outside parties and fellow passengers may have a general knowledge of the railroad but are not qualified to answer questions about seating assignments, train boarding procedures, or cars in which to ride.

The railroad and crew do not necessarily assign seats, but blocks of cars. Passengers who purchase tickets independently by other means will be assigned different cars regardless if they are on the same train as their shipmates who purchased similar tour tickets through the cruise line. Groups are strongly encouraged to take place in their respective boarding line EARLY and read and understand the instructions printed on their ticket. Many trains sell out and late arrivals and groups will likely not be able to reserve seats together in the same car after the train has started boarding. Again, separate tour groups from the same ship will be assigned different cars in the same train and individual requests to ride in a particular car are not advised without advance notice.

Tickets are required for all passengers riding any White Pass & Yukon train. Tickets purchased through the cruise lines are used for accounting purposes between the cruise line and the railroad. Each cruise line will use their own standard ticket medium for all of their shore excursions, including the railroad. Passengers desiring a souvenir ticket should inquire with their ticketing agent at the time of purchase. The train crew will not be able to furnish a receipt or souvenir upon collection of your ticket.

If you are riding a train that requires you to have a passport, you must have the passport with you when you board the train or begin a tour service that will make a connection with the train. A review of your desired shore excursion description will inform you if a passport is required, in addition to a reminder note that is printed on the ticket. Passengers will not be permitted to board or continue an excursion if they are unable to furnish the required documents for international travel. Make sure you have your passport and ticket when leaving your hotel or state room!

On Board

Coach platforms will open to passengers once the train has departed town with the conductors discretion. This allowance depends on collection of tickets and passenger accounting by the crew once underway. With the steam excursions, passengers are usually required to stay inside until somewhere close to the Denver flagstop. Walking through the train and across coach platforms is not allowed once underway. Assuming you have several coaches to choose from, it is advisable to think ahead of time about which one you want to ride and include a second or third choice. If you want to be near the locomotives, most trains (with the regular exception of steam, Carcross and first-of-four summit trains) have the engines swap ends at each terminal. This means if you are riding in the last car on the northbound trip, you will be directly behind the locomotives on the return.

Round trip trains will make sure that passengers switch seats to the opposite side of the coach so that scenic views are shared equally among passengers. A major advantage to taking the mountain side of the trip north is knowing exactly where photo opportunities that interest you will be located ahead of time on the return trip.

There are no snacks or drinks sold on board, so plan accordingly. Bottled water is available on the train, and the railroad operates two shops that offer full service coffees and a variety of snacks. Limited seating may be available in first class service but the availability is limited to certain trains and dates. Direct inquiries to the railroad and cruise line, in advance, are recommended for further information.

Booking Tickets Through The Cruise Line

The biggest difference between tickets purchased through the cruise line or the railroad that will affect a passenger are the boarding instructions. The convenience of purchasing the ticket through the cruise line primarily includes two things.

First, the ship is aware of any shore excursion in which you are participating. This may be a reassurance to someone who experiences an unplanned delay while on shore and becomes concerned about making their call back to the ship before cast-off time. Keep in mind that the railroad is the largest tour operator in Skagway. If a delay occurs, the cruise lines are notified so passengers are not affected.

The most conspicuous difference for passengers accounted through the ship will be their boarding location. Ticket holding passengers who book through the ship will board their train at a location close to the dock or ride a prearranged connecting bus to the boarding location. Passengers who purchase tickets directly through the railroad or a third-party will be required to go to the physical location of the railroad depot to pick up their tickets and follow separate boarding instructions.

Docks & Train Positions

There are three docks used by the cruise ships with four positions: the fore and aft Railroad Dock, Broadway Dock, and Ore Dock. The Railroad Dock is closest to the eastern mountainside and will berth two ships. The Broadway Dock is in the middle of the three and is located closest to downtown, lying at the end of Broadway Street. The Ore Dock is the furthest west and may be noted by the large ore loading tower.

Each dock will have a railroad representative to help direct passengers to their assigned boarding area in addition to those from the many shore excursion companies and the shore excursion officer. The directions printed on your ticket will tell you where the boarding location is found and the time you will need to be there. All other passengers will follow the instructions of the railroad ticket agents.

The variety of train excursions load from either one of the docks, the railroad depot, or loading platform in the coach yard. Many passengers will board the train at the dock, but this entirely depends on which particular ticket the passenger holds. Up to six trains may depart Skagway within minutes of each other. A train ticket does not necessarily represent the train closest to the ship or the first one you encounter. Never board any train without being directed or understanding ticket instructions.

White Pass Summit Excursion These trains will load at their respective docks. Some circumstances may require passengers to ride a bus to another dock to board the train but there will be a representative from the railroad to direct this process. Passengers riding a summit train with tickets sold by a party outside the cruise line will likely board a train at Skagway Junction, under the direction of railroad personnel.

Railroad Dock - Two trains normally load here at the same time. Remember that if there are two ships at this dock, the train loading closest to the ship will be for passengers from the ship in the aft position. Passengers from the ship in the forward portion of the dock will walk to the second train on Long Siding.

Broadway Dock - The train will be waiting at the end of the dock. Broadway Street cuts through the middle of the loading platform and the train will be broken in two sections when it loads/unloads passengers to keep the street open for traffic. Coaches across the street are part of the same train!

Ore Dock - The train will be out of view from the gangway of the ship, hidden by the ore loading facility. The walking distance is about the same as a train boarding on Broadway or Long Siding.

Fraser Excursion/One-Way Service This train leaves from a platform that is located away from the docks in the railroad coach yard. Passengers for this train need to meet at the end of the dock and then ride a bus to the boarding location of the train. Trains on the dock are not for the Fraser or Carcross service!

Fraser Meadows Steam Excursion The steam train will leave from one of the docks. Passengers who purchase steam excursion tickets from any ship berthed at a separate dock will meet and ride a connecting bus to the correct boarding location.

Bennett Scenic Journey/Carcross One-Way Service Depending on the departure day, this train leaves from either the Skagway or Carcross depot. As with the Fraser Excursion, passengers will walk or board a bus from the dock to access the boarding location of the train. Inquire with the railroad when picking up tickets or ask your shore excursion officer. Remember that this train leaves earlier than all others when it operates northbound and it is very important not to miss your meet time because you will not be able to board the train or bus once they depart. Walking Distances and Return Procedures

The town does offer a bus service called SMART. Fares, per person, are $2.00 one-way or $5.00 for an all-day pass. These blue and white busses offer service every day from May 1 - October 1, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM. The routes include every dock and the railroad depot, in addition to many stops throughout town.

Trains will be located as close as conditionally possible but passengers will be required to walk a short distance to board the train. The railroad depot is located at the south end of downtown Skagway. A common question most passengers ask involves the walking distance to either the depot or the end of the dock/pier.

Railroad Dock - Located about 1/2 mile from the Skagway depot and about a ten minute walk. Trains on Long Siding are about 300 yards from the gangway of the forward ship and each train is only two or three minutes walking distance. Follow Congress Way to walk to town.

Broadway Dock - The gangway is about 1/4 mile from the depot. The train and busses will be located just ahead of the bow of the ship, about two minutes from the gangway. The depot is a five minute walk following Broadway Street to the depot platform.

Ore Dock - The train is about 1/8 mile and a two minute walk from the ship’s gangway, concealed from immediate view behind the ore tower while busses will be visible at the end of the gangway. The depot is approximately a 1/2 mile, ten minute walk from the ship.

Artistic rendition of Skagway Junction at departure time, which is a great place to watch several trains pass in just a few minutes. The depot is seen to the middle-right, while the Railroad, Broadway, and Ore Docks are viewed from left-to-right in the distance. The loading platform for the Fraser train is located several blocks north of the depot. Passengers who use the Fraser train are provided bus transportation between the train and ship. If one wishes to stroll through town, the platform is ten blocks north of the depot and about one mile from the various docks.

Upon return to Skagway, some of the summit trains will provide the option for passengers to detrain at either the depot or at the dock. This decision for each train’s arrival plan is made based on railroad dispatching needs and will vary every single day for every train. An announcement will be made to passengers when the train returns to Skagway about which options will be made available along with safety instructions.

Operations

While the casual observer may not appreciate the difference, someone visiting Skagway to railfan may enjoy understanding the train positions, scheduled lineup, and the procedures that are employed to operate a multitude of trains on a single track.

Summit Service - Train Nos. 31-54

The summit trains are numbered in the 30's for the morning departures, 40's for the afternoon, and 50's for the late afternoon run on certain days. Four of these trains will operate in the lineup on a busy day. The following is a typical procedure on a four-summit day.

31/38 - 41/48 - First out, runs to Fraser loop and returns behind the other three summit trains.

31/32 - 43/42 or 33/34 - 43/44 - First to run- around at White Pass. After the engines couple back on to the south end of the consist, they will shove north of the siding to clear the next train. Once the following train cuts the engines and begins to run around on the siding, this train will follow. It will then wait View from the north coach platform at White Pass after the in the siding until the rear of third or fourth locomotives have run-around to the south end of the train. summit train clears the south siding switch before leaving. This is the first train to arrive back in Skagway.

33/34 - 43/44 or 35/36 - 45/46 - Third out on four summit days, otherwise second. This will be the second train to switch at White Pass, using the same procedure as previously described.

35/36 - 45/46 or 37/36 - 47/46 - Third or fourth to depart Skagway. It will hold the main line at White Pass during switching will be the third to arrive back in Skagway.

51/52 - Scheduled to depart at 4:45 PM and will meet No. 2 at Clifton if it leaves on time.

53/54 - Follows 51 but rarely operates. Fraser Service - Train Nos. 21-24

The Fraser runs depart ahead of the summit trains in the morning and afternoon, and will also return behind them southbound. In addition, Fraser trains perform short-stop service for hikers at several flagstops throughout the day, most often at Denver and Glacier. Occasionally the Fraser service will only run one roundtrip in the morning and tie up before the afternoon schedule, which then requires one of the summit trains to operate the flagstops.

21/22 - 8:00 AM run departing Skagway. Scheduled to leave Fraser at 10:20 AM for the return trip.

23/24 - 12:30 PM Skagway and 2:45 PM Fraser departure.

Carcross Service - Train Nos. 1-4

Carcross is designated No. 1 and 2 on roundtrip days, and No. 1 northbound, No. 4 southbound on one-way-only days. No. 1 will leave before every other passenger train and will usually meet summit service No. 51 at Clifton on the southbound, roundtrip days. Any passenger who rides the length from Skagway to Carcross will have traveled a greater distance than is possible on any other regularly scheduled tourist train currently operating internationally between two stations in North America.

1/2 - First passenger to leave Skagway in the northbound morning lineup at 7:45 AM. On roundtrip days it will return as No. 2, departing Carcross southbound at 1:30 PM.

3/4 - No. 3 rarely operates, but No. 4 will leave Carcross at 11:30 AM on southbound-only trips.

Steam Excursions - Usually assigned as a Work Extra

The steam train is designated as a work extra, and the conductor will dictate where the train will operate in-between other trains as the procession departs and returns to Skagway. Depending on schedule requirements, the train will depart at either 8:00 AM or 12:00 PM from one of the docks.

Railfanning the Route

Sunlight in Skagway is a special gift. Even on a clear day, the sun will not directly shine on the east side of the valley until around noon due to the mountains. Compared to the Lower 48, the sun will set much later to the west during the May, June, and July. Late night in early summer closely resembles early evening or dusk, but as the season progresses the change in daylight is much more contrasting by the end of August. Weather changes very quickly and tends to be overcast much of the time. Cloud cover and fog are more likely at White Pass as the train gains elevation and high winds and fog might occasionally be expected. North of the summit, the coastal mountains tend to hold inclement weather to the Alaskan side of the pass. A trip to Carcross is usually in sunnier weather compared to Skagway.

Aside from a few local photographers, the White Pass & Yukon is rarely photographed by the railfan community when compared to other tourist railroads. The remote location of the route and population density play a part, but the other major hurdle to photographing trains is the limited time available to most visitors. If you intend to ride the train, your choice in excursion will affect the time you have to sightsee the locale and the railroad. Before assuming you will be able to get a certain photograph, make sure you understand the arrival and departure times of your ship, your chosen train, the start and end times of any tour you book, and the amount of time it will take to access a given location. You will need to understand all of those to calculate any free time you will have available.

Easily accessible places to watch trains within short time constraints are the Skagway Junction and the roadside at Shops. Dock operations may also be interesting to an observer, but access to docks are restricted only to ship passengers who are from their respective dock. It may not be possible for you to see the train loading at the Railroad Dock if your ship is docked at the Broadway or Ore Dock.

The Junction is located to the east end of the depot platform. If you are standing at the Skagway Junction, where both the dock and depot tracks convene into the mainline, it is possible to observe several trains arriving and departing within moments of each other because summit trains are scheduled to leave about the same time. A person standing here could observe four trains pass this single location within just a few minutes. The best times to watch are the morning departures starting around 8:00 AM, switching between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM when the summit trains arrive in Skagway and prepare for the afternoon trips, and again between 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

The Skagway coach yard and Shops at departure and arrival times may be of interest. Afternoons between 3:00 and 6:00 PM at the cemetery or north end of the coach yard will see all of the trains roll by as they return from White Pass. After every train unloads passengers down at the depot or dock, they will come back here and start putting cars away for the evening using the north ladder track switch which is readily visible from the public sidewalk. A SMART stop is located across the street from the yard and on the north side of The state ferry departs the Skagway harbor for Haines on a foggy July afternoon. Shops at the cemetery. From the depot, it will take at least 25 minutes to walk to either location. Please keep in mind not to enter the yard, leave the public infrastructure, or distract crews during any railroad operation.

Trains operated at White Pass are primarily pulled by diesel locomotives with the single exception of the steam excursions. Fraser and summit trains will use two or three locomotives of the same class; all 90 Class or 101 Class engines as a multiple unit. Carcross trains have been operating with just one locomotive in recent years, often using #114. 90 Class engines have recently been rebuilt and are almost always found on the Fraser train. The yard crew normally uses #90 for switching duties.

The steam locomotive will be fired up for a few hours prior to the operating day to build steam in advance, but it will not move around the yard. #73 has been working all of the assignments since 2014. Though #69 is still on the roster it has not been used since 2013. There is no way to know ahead of time which engine will be used for the excursion, but it is more than likely that #73 will continue to hold the assignment for the foreseeable future.

Train Chasing By Car

If you are interested in chasing the train up the mountain, a word of caution. You must have a passport and are expected to proceed through both U.S and Canadian Customs if you pass either customs office. Neither office is located at the physical location of the international border, but you and everyone in the vehicle will be expected to have a passport on their person if either location is passed. You will also want to inquire and adhere to any road travel restrictions that your rental car agency has instated. Be mindful that radio stations and cell phone service should not be expected north of Skagway. Time zones change at the international boundary, and Yukon operates on Pacific Time while Alaska employs Alaska Time.

The railroad right-of-way is fairly visible from the Klondike Highway between Rocky Point at railroad Mile Post 7 and Heney at Mile Post 12. From there the train will not be visible until it traverses the south side of Warm Valley and comes up the other side past Glacier, but will be very easy to see all the way up to the south approach of the tunnel at Mile Post 16. Traveling further and into Canada, trains can be viewed in the distance while switching at White Pass. Some of these locations are much easier seen through a telephoto lens.

Between White Pass and Fraser, the track will drift further to the east side of the valley and the train will not be easily viewed until the roadside meets up at Fraser Hill. On days that see steam trips, there is a great show of sound as the train highballs south and heads up the four-percent grade leaving Fraser. Just a little closer to the Canadian Border station, the Fraser loop is visible which will see all steam trains service and take water while clearing for train No. 21 or 23. The loop will be employed to reverse direction for any 31/41 trips that operate on four summit fleet days. Photos of the Fraser Hill approach are accessible by using a pull-off from the highway, between the visible Fraser Hill and Fraser loop pull-off. Once parked, you can hike up the hillside for a nice overlook of the train as it crosses the bridge.

A steam excursion makes a run for Fraser Hill southbound. This location is only accessible by hiking a short trail off the highway.

After passing Canadian customs at Fraser, the railroad is visible from several vantage points along the highway. The best of these may be the sharp curve around the granite wall at Ptarmigan Point but the only trains that run this far are the Carcross Excursions and some unscheduled work trains. The railroad is not accessible or visible once it crosses the highway between Log Cabin (Mile Post 33) and Carcross. Carcross excursions will cross the highway southbound about 3:45 PM on roundtrips and 2:45 PM on southbound-only runs. Between Carcross and Whitehorse, the track is out-of-service. There are quite a few places where grade crossings still exist and the rails can be seen appearing and disappearing into the forest along with the remnants of the telephone line. Utah Yard is still slightly visible from the Alaska Highway near Whitehorse with a tank car poking out of the trees. In Whitehorse a trolley line operates on a short section of track near downtown. The railroad still uses its Whitehorse depot as a ticket office, but the trolley is the only remnant of rail service currently offered in the city.

Whitehorse will take a little over two hours of driving time from Skagway. Fraser is about 30 minutes, but the wait times at each customs checkpoint will consume longer periods of time if a large number of tour busses and vans are traveling on the pass. The cemetery and Shops crossing in Skagway take about five minutes to drive to from the docks, depending on the route you take through town. Trains are usually able to pass through Skagway faster than road traffic due to the number of tourists walking around on Broadway.

One of the many, quiet crossings between Carcross and Whitehorse. Will trains ever run here again? Only time will tell.

Driving south on the Klondike Highway towards White Pass. The railroad pass isn’t quite visible but it is there, paralleling the road on the left side of the picture. The White Pass siding can be seen from the highway but is best viewed with binoculars or a telephoto camera lens. Passenger agents wait for bus passengers making the connection at Carcross. Carcross trains cover the whole distance of the operating railroad, and employees are very proud of the service.

Looking north towards Fraser from the rear of the train as it approaches White Pass. Snow still covers much of the landscape even though the photo was taken in late May.

Just as so many passengers have come to visit Skagway and ride countless trains on the White Pass & Yukon, the railroad equipment was also brought in using sea barges. Locomotives, cars, rail, diesel fuel, oil and coal, construction equipment, kitchen supplies, stationery, uniforms, and thousands of railroad workers have all navigated the same passage ever since the railroad’s inception and throughout every diverse chapter of it’s survival.

Every passenger has the chance to immerse themselves in the story well before setting foot in Skagway, and one of the best places to start is by enjoying the sea and landscape that define this part of the world so beautifully. Additional resources:

White Pass & Yukon Route Railway Official railroad website with photos, contact information, FAQ, and reservations www.wpyr.com (800) 343-7373

Skagway Visitors Information Visitor information, walking maps, cruise ship calendar. www.skagway.com

Boerries Burkhardt White Pass railroad historian with photos, historic documents, maps, trip reports, and much more. http://www.whitepassfan.net/whitepass/

Murray Lundberg Author with extensive website featuring highway maps, photos, and trip reports. http://www.explorenorth.com

Sourdough Car Rentals (907) 983-2523

Avis (Skagway Office) (907)-983-2247

Skagway Scooters (907) 723-4170

The following excursions are shown as listed on their respective websites by each cruise line. This list is divided into the specific train service that each tour will utilize. All options may not be listed and are subject to change without notice. Please contact the railroad or cruise line for further information.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

Various excursion options. Inquire within.

American Cruise Lines

Fraser Service Rail and Highway Tour Carnival Cruise Line

Carcross Service Bennett Lake, Yukon Wilderness Express Train

Steam Excursion “All Aboard” The Steam Train Adventure

Fraser Service Ultimate Yukon & White Pass Railroad Adventure Denver Valley Wilderness Hike & White Pass Railway Glacier Lake Kayak & Scenic Railway Experience Laughton Glacier Hike & White Pass Railway Adventure (Glacier - Skagway) White Pass Train & Bike Tour White Pass Railway & Gold Dredge Combo

Summit Service White Pass Summit Excursion

Celebrity Cruise Line

Steam Excursion All Aboard Steam Train

Fraser Service Alaska Gold Rush Highlights Glacier Lake Kayak and White Pass Railway Adventure Goldrush Sled Dogs & White Pass Train Adventure Laughton Glacier Snowshoe Adventure and White Pass Railway (Glacier - Skagway) Laughton Glacier Wilderness Hike & White Pass Railway (Glacier - Skagway) Sawtooth Mountain Nature Hike (Denver - Skagway) Skagway Alpine Snowshoe and White Pass Railway (Glacier - Skagway) White Pass Railroad & Klondike Highway Combination - Foreign Languages White Pass Railway & Trail Camp Adventure White Pass Railway & Klondike Highway Journey White Pass Railway and Skagway Highlights White Pass Train and Klondike Bike Tour Yukon Adventure & White Pass Scenic Railway

Summit Service White Pass Scenic Railway White Pass Legacy Club Luxury Railway Experience

Disney Cruise Line

Steam Excursion All Aboard Steam Train

Fraser Service Best of Skagway Alpine Snowshoe & White Pass Rail Adventure Best of Skagway Denver Valley Wilderness Hike & White Pass Rail Adventure Glacier Lake Kayak & White Pass Rail Adventure Heli-Hike and Railroad Adventure (Glacier - Skagway) Klondike Gold Dredge and White Pass Railway Laughton Glacier Wilderness Hike & Rail Adventure (Glacier - Skagway) Sawtooth Mountain Nature Hike (Denver - Skagway) White Pass Railroad & Skagway Street Car City Highlights White Pass Railway and Trail Camp White Pass Train and Bike Tour Yukon Expedition Yukon Suspension Bridge, City and White Pass Railway

Summit Service VIP Carriage Tour on the White Pass Scenic Railway White Pass Scenic Railway White Pass Scenic Railway featuring Exclusive Youth Activity Holland America Line Carcross Service White Pass Bennett Lake Adventure

Fraser Service Alpine Snow Shoe & White Pass Rail Experience Best of Skagway Denver Valley Hike & White Pass Rail Glacier Lake Kayak & White Pass Rail Experience Klondike Gold Dredge, White Pass Rail & Scenic Highway Exploration White Pass Rail & Klondike Highway (Foreign Language) White Pass Rail & Yukon Expedition White Pass Rail, Klondike Highway & Gold Camp Adventure White Pass Train & Bike

Summit Service White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: A Luxury Travel Experience White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad

Norwegian Cruise Line

Fraser Service White Pass Railway, Klondike Gold Fields & Panning Best of Skagway & White Pass Railway White Pass Railway & Suspension Bridge White Pass Railway & Yukon Expedition White Pass Railroad & Klondike Highway (Foreign Language) Sawtooth Mountain Hike & White Pass Railway (Denver - Skagway) Denver Valley Wilderness Hike & White Pass Rail White Pass Railway & Laughton Glacier Wilderness Hike (Glacier - Skagway) White Pass Railway & Glacier Lake Kayak White Pass Railway & Alpine Snowshoe Hike Heli-Hike & White Pass Railway (Glacier - Skagway) White Pass Railway & Klondike Bicycle

Summit Service White Pass Scenic Railway VIP White Pass Scenic Railway

Oceania Cruises

Fraser Service Sawtooth Mountain Rainforest Hike (Denver - Skagway) Heli-Hike & White Pass Railway Goldrush Highlights White Pass Railway & City Tour White Pass Railway, Klondike Highway & Gold Camp Adventure Scenic Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge

Summit Service White Pass Scenic Railroad Princess Cruises

Carcross Service White Pass Bennett Lake Adventure

Fraser Service White Pass Rail & Klondike Highway (multilingual) Yukon Expedition and White Pass Scenic Railway Best of Skagway Rail, Summit, Suspension Bridge & Garden Lunch White Pass Rail, Summit, Gold Panning & BBQ Lunch Glacier Lake Kayak, Scenic Rail & Klondike Summit Heli-Hike & Rail Adventure (Glacier - Skagway)

Summit Service White Pass Scenic Railway White Pass Scenic Railway (ticket codes SGY-201 - 206. Deutsch, Espanol, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Francais) White Pass Luxury Class Discovery Exclusive: Gold Panning, Sled Dogs, & Exclusive Scenic Railway White Pass Scenic Railway

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Fraser Service Goldrush Highlights Scenic Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge White Pass Railway & City Tour

Summit Service White Pass Scenic Railroad

Royal Caribbean International

Steam Excursion The All Aboard Steam Train

Fraser Service Sawtooth Mountain Nature Hike (Denver - Skagway) White Pass Railway Adventure and Motor Coach Tour White Pass Railroad & Klondike Highway Combination - Foreign Languages White Pass Railway and Skagway Highlights White Pass Railway & Trail Camp Adventure White Pass Railroad and Alaskan Dog Sled Experience Yukon Adventure & White Pass Scenic Railway Alaska Gold Rush Highlights White Pass Train & Klondike Bike Tour Glacier Lake Kayak & White Pass Railway Adventure Laughton Glacier Wilderness Hike & White Pass Railway (Glacier - Skagway)

Summit Service A White Pass Scenic Railway Gold Panning, Sled Dogs & Exclusive Scenic Railway White Pass Legacy Club Luxury Railway Experience Silversea Luxury Cruises

Steam Excursion All Aboard Steam Train

Fraser Service Klondike Scenic Highlights & White Pass Railway White Pass Railway & Alaska Sled Dogs & Musher’s Camp Glacier Lake Kayak & White Pass Rail Adventure Heli-Hike & White Pass Rail Adventure (Glacier - Skagway)

Summit Service White Pass Scenic Railway

#195 sits in silence as #73 brings a train back into Skagway. The #195 can be seen by visiting the Skagway Museum, along with vintage film footage about the railroad and local history.

John Hillier