Proudly presents – WHITE PASS & YUKON RAILWAY

By Deane Motis

February 4th, 2010

Installment II of the White Pass & Yukon Motive Power Review

Part of the mystique of the White Pass & Yukon Route lies in the lore and passion of the World’s Last Great Gold Rush. The poetry of Robert Service and the

fact many of our family members participated in this world shaping keeps the interest of this railway alive. In Part 1 of the White Pass & Yukon series, we

took a look at the history of the company’s unique fleet of diesel motive power. In this follow-up section, we will examine the current steam operations as

well as taking a look at the locomotives that provided the power up to the introduction of the iconic GE shovel nosed diesels.

The White Pass stable of steam consisted of a varied fleet of 4-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-6-0, and 2-8-2 wheel arrangements. The Baldwin Locomotive Works of

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania provided the majority of the White Pass steam, however a number of Climax and Brooks built engines rounded out the pre-war

roster. The demand for viable steam during World War II proved so great, the United States Army requisitioned a number of DRG&W K28’s for use on the

White Pass line. These distinctive locomotives carried non-descript U.S.A. (U.S. Army) markings on their tenders and as such were never lettered for the

WP&YR. In addition, the military contributed eleven 2-8-2 McArthur Class Baldwins to wartime cause. Over the years, numerous sources have stated this

group of locomotives was diverted from an order destined for use in Iran. Further research indicates is this was probably not the case, as the Iranian

Railways were standard gauge, thus the narrow gauge power would have been of little use on this desert line. Sadly, one of these “McArthurs,” owned by

the city of Skagway, is slowly being reclaimed by nature as it slowly rusts behind the town’s municipal building.

Beginning in the 1954, with the GE’s arriving on the property; steam slowly disappeared from the scene until the last fires were dropped in 1964.

Locomotives, still on the roster, were put on display, scrapped, or sold off to other railways. Those still viable locomotives found homes on such diverse

operations as the Sumpter Valley and the Dollywood Theme Park. In the early 80’s it was thought that a rejuvenated steam program would add an additional

dimension to the company’s operations. After careful examination of a number of displayed locomotives, #73, a 1947 graduate of the Baldwin Locomotive

Works, was slated for restoration. The elements had been relatively kind to #73 and after four years of painstaking work, the unmistakable sound of steam

returned to Alaska and eventually to the Yukon Territory.

Fast forward to 1986. When the railway was revitalized in its current role of Alaska’s most popular tourist attraction, a decision was made to maintain steam

operations on the White Pass. Not content with only one operating steam locomotive, the White Pass management foresaw the need for additional power.

Having a “stand-in” would allow the railway to have flexibility in operations and at the same time provide steam service when #73 was out of service.

Unsuccessful attempts were made to reacquire former White Pass engines as well as possible use of K28’s from Colorado. The search finally yielded what

seemed to be a viable piece of motive power in the form of a 2-6-0, #40 owned by the Georgetown Loop Railroad of Georgetown, Colorado. An agreement

was reached whereby #40 would be loaned to the White Pass for a period of up to five years. After delivery, the veteran of the Central American jungles,

proved to be underpowered and was returned to its rightful owner after only two years of service.

The search for a viable replacement continued. A former White Pass locomotive #69, nicknamed the Gila Monster, was found to be suitable for rebuild.

After being retired from the White Pass, #69 had served a myriad of owners, the last being the Nebraska Midland. In 1008, 25 years after being retired and

totally rebuilt, #69 would return to her home lines and would add her muscle to the fleet.

Today, either #73 or #69 is used on the Friday/Sunday Fraser Loop trains. Designated as a “Work Extra,” the steam operations are the highlight of the week’s

activities. The “steam team” also serves, from time to time, on special event trips. The steam highlight of 2009 was the first steam double header passenger

run to operate over White Pass in more than 50 years.

Another integral piece of the White Pass steam operation is Rotary #1. Built in 1899 by Cook Works, the snow plow served until 1962 when Caterpillar

tractors took over snow removal duties on the line. Wanting to add an additional historical perspective, the rotary was made serviceable and was returned

to the active roster in 1995. After several successful special event runs, the rotary was put on display in front of the Skagway station. In 2001, history was

made when #1 was mated with 73 and 40 to create an all steam rotary special. It was not until 2009 that this scene would be recreated when Rotary #1

would be paired with #69 and #73. An interesting sidebar is that #1 has actually served the railway in three centuries, the 19th, 20th, and 21st. Will it make

the 22nd Century? That remains to be seen.

The future of steam on the White Pass is secure. Gary Danielson’s mechanical team of Ed Hanoseuk, Glenn Sullivan, and their staff continue to work miracles

across the board in keeping Numbers 1, 69, and 73 in top operating condition. Now, let’s take a look at and back at the steam legacy of the White Pass &

Yukon Route.

The White Pass & Yukon has always been a “mecca” for sightseers. Here White Pass #3 leads the first passenger excursion on July 21, 1898. Here flatcars fitted with chairs

provided a truly open air experience. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Special Images Collection.

Compare this first winter excursion February 20, 1899 with the photo below, August 2009. Little has changed in the subsequent 100 years. Photo courtesy of University of

Washington Special Images Collection.

Timbers have been replaced and a wooden portal has been added to the tunnel entrance but little else has changed from the previous scene. Queen of the fleet, #73 leads

crosses Bridge 15C on the southbound leg of a Fraser Loop run in August, 2009. Photo by Deane Motis

In this undated scene, engine #51 pauses at Summit. Built in 1891 for the Utah & Northern, the Brooks built 4-6-0 was acquired by the White Pass in 1898 via

the Columbia & Puget Sound. The 51currently resides in Whitehorse. Photo courtesy of the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.

Looking south from Bridge 15, the 1890’s roadbed south of Bridge 15C was reinforced with oat timbers. In the ensuing years, an artificial fill would be created using

reinforced “I beams” and rock. Photo University of Washington Special Collections

#73 traverses the same stretch of track as shown above. Now, modern I beam supports and rock fill support the railbed. Photo by Deane Motis

An 1899 product of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, #56 was ordered new by the White Pass & Yukon. Built as #6, she was renumbered and remained in

service until 1938. Boerries Burkhardt Collection

With the Cariboo Hotel in the background, steam engine 67 at Carcross at July 3, 1934. Purchased new in 1941, she was retired in 1941. The engine now exists as riprap in

the Skagway River. Boerries Burkhardt Collection

The rugged K28’s of the Rio Grande were a welcome addition to White Pass roster during World War II. Regretfully, hard use during the war resulted in the

entire series being scrapped at the end of hostilities. Boerries Burkhardt Collection

The United States Army issued construction orders during the war for a fleet of 2-8-2’s that could be used to support the war effort in various parts of the

world.. The White Pass was the recipient of eleven these locomotives nicknamed McArthurs. After the war, three were sold for continued service in Peru on

the Ferrocarril Casa Grande-Sausal #190 went to the Tweetsie Railroad and currently resides in the Dollywood theme park. Others were parted out and scrapped.

Photographer Unknown

Here #195 displays her snowplow pilot that was put to frequent use during its tenure on the White Pass. #195 currently sits behind the Skagway municipal

building and is slowly being reclaimed by nature. Photographer Unknown

Built in 1939 #71 toiled on the White Pass until 1963. 71 now resides at the Dollywood Theme Park. Photo Royal British Columbia Museum

The year is 1947. In this recovered photograph, Baldwins 72 and 73 are being prepared for unloading at the White Pass dock in Skagway. From the White

Pass Photo Collection.

Not long after delivery, #72 displays the “out of the box” look as she stretches her legs. From the White Pass Photo Collection

Engine #73, as built and lettered sitting in front of the Skagway Depot. Retired in 1964, it appeared that its remaining years would be spent “stuffed and mounted” as a display engine. White Pass restored #73 for service in 1982 and remains to this day as “Queen of the Fleet.” Boerries Burkhardt Collection

In search of a engine to support #73, the White Pass borrowed #40 from Colorado’s Georgetown Loop Railway. Originally built for service in Central America, #40 proved to be under powered in her role on the White Pass. Photo by Deane Motis

Here 73 and 40 share the limelight at the event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike at Carcross, YT. Photo by Deane Motis

The night lights of the Skagway Shops reflect off #73 in this 2009 scene. Photo by Deane Motis

Not the most graceful in terms of lines, #69 was a welcome addition to the White Pass fleet. Built in 1908, #69 was retired in 1954, sold the Black Hills

Central in 1956, she returned for service in 2008. Photo by Deane Motis

[Right] The sun shown brightly as #73 and #40 shoved Rotary #1 past the Summit in April of 2001. Photo by Deane Motis

[Left] The raw power of the steam rotary is clearly evident in this close-up of #1. At a number of locations, the snow was packed so tight, the rotary could

move only a few feet before running out of steam. Photo by Deane Motis

The surprise run of 2009 was a massive double-head steam movement consisting of Rotary #1 and Engine 73 & 69. The added tractive effort of #69 was put

to the test on the upper reaches of the pass. Photo by Gil Dominguez.

For the first time in more than 50 years, the White Pass & Yukon operated a double head passenger movement featuring 73 & 69 in the fall of 2009. This

event was not lost as White Pass employee Gil Dominguez documented this rare event.

Other than the engine numbers and the lettering on the tenders, this scene of the fireman checking the water level is timeless. Here at Mile Post 15, Rotary

#1 and its “power” are temporarily stranded by two snowslides blocking the line. Photo by Deane Motis

Stay tuned for Part III “Scenes of the White Pass .”

Thanks goes to Boerries Burkhardtt, Gil Dominguez, and the White Pass & Yukon for their assistance in the preparation of this article.

About Deane Motis: Deane Motis classifies himself as a "trans-border" person having lived and worked in the Yukon Territory, BC, AB, and WA state. (Indicative of this fact, he is able to use "huh" and "eh" interchangeably.) He has actively been photographing railways across North America since 1969 as well as venturing into Mexico and South America. In the past decade, he has expended the majority of his photographic efforts on the CP and CN in BC and AB as well making at least one annual pilgrimage to the White Pass. The White Pass & Yukon has used his talents to produce two commemorative books depicting the modern history of the line.. About Canadian Railway Observations: Canadian Railway Observations (C.R.O.) is a monthly free newsletter that showcases Canadian locomotive news and photos. Founded in 1989 by William H. Baird, their mission is to inform and update readers on current, and pertinent Canadian locomotive and railway news. Website : www.canadianrailwayobservations.com