Cab ride: White Pass & YR, 2015 Alaska

[@Lakeside1943]

The rolling stock, the scenery, the cab ride. This video shows it all in a most enjoyable way. Perfect camerawork and editing.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Thank you for your positive comment and thank you for watching.

[@alvarsdzenis4739]

working for a railroad in Alberta and BC many years ago, i quite often would catch connector rides on freights and often rode up front with the engineer. this ride took me back to healthier, simpler times. Thank you for the ride. you made this old man feel young again, if only for a wee while. cheers.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I am very happy I gave you a chance to go back to happier times. To have a view out front, watching the beautiful scenery and the mile being eaten up by the engine is in deed a very special experience. I just love it and feel very much like you. Thank you for your heartwarming comment.

[@emo4126]

It has to be one of the greatest feats in railroad building history this line . the terrain is some of the most awesome, rugged and dangerous i've ever seen in an on train shot video . thanks for the upload !

[@Landsend-Railroad]

And it was build in 2 years, 2 month and 2 days. The engineering feat of building that railroad is now recognized by having it declared a World Heritage Site. Thank you for your appreciation.

[@michigandon]

NO music, NO silly Max Headroomesque edits, no more narration than that which was absolutely necessary. Nicely done, sir!

[@johnrauner2515]

Have to agree here totally. So refreshing to see a KZbinr with some brains in his head.

[@ken.mp372]

MANY THANKS FOR THE SPECTACULAR CAB-RIDE !!.... Being a Colorado boy, and a retired "Wry Grandy" Locomotive Engineer, with a life-long fascination of-- & very interested-- in all things NG especially STEAM-- yet only having seen a couple of skimpy books & pix about the WP&Y..... I had NO realistic idea of the true wild scenic beauty of the WP&Y !! What a RAILWAY !!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I understand where you are coming from. I share your life-long fascination of narrow gauge trains, especially steam of course. You are right about the scenery up in northern BC, the Yukon and Alaska, but Colorado has some pretty nice and wild country-site as well. I have been on the Silverton and Chama lines. Some of that scenery is quite spectacular as well. I thank you for your comment.

[@carlhuffman454]

My wife and I rode the WP&YR back in 2010 from Skagway up to White Pass summit and back down to the dock. What a great Trip! Being from SC, we had not gotten that far inland but once, and we got to see snow up high for about an hour. If you've never been to AK , by all means GO!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Sounds like you have fond memories of your encounter with the WP&YR. Too bad we can't GO right now. I was planning on a trip this May....

[@carlhuffman454]

@@Landsend-Railroad We've been to AK three times on cruises over the last 11 years or so, but now the boss is burned out on it, so no more trips up that way. I recommend a trip up there to the fullest. The train ride from Anchorage to Denali and points north to Fairbanks would be great, too. We did that trip on the Alaska RR as far as Denali in about 2008. It's worth the time and expense, too.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@carlhuffman454 I agree, that trip on the Alaska RR is alive in my memory too. I did adventure trip about 15 years ago, it started in Fairbanks and ended up in Anchorage, with a 2 day stop in Denali. You missed the section north of Denali. I think it is even more scenic than the section south of it. You should give it some thought and talk nicely to the boss.

[@milehighkit4725]

We have been fortunate enough to have taken the train twice in the last dozen or so years. What an experience! It was interesting to see John hold the dead locomotive back :-) thanks for the post lots of memories!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Initially I took the video to keep my own memories alive, but now I am glad I posted it. This way people like you can share in those memories and experiences. You are most welcome. And thank you responding. Have you met John?

[@chrisweiser6522]

I rode on the White Pass and Yukon several years ago. The White Pass steam locomotive was assisted with a steam engine from Georgetown, Colorado. A double header. A once in a lifetime event.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Two steam locomotives as a double header are spectacular on any RR, but especially on these steep grades of the WP&YR. In some years in the past they have use the #73 and the #69 behind the steam rotary plow. That too was spectacular.

[@ryansta]

Greatest Salesman ever lived, Jed Tannerson.....We'll never shift this bright lime green and yellow paint and somehow we have a massive stock of the stuff. Leave it to Jed. Fantastic video though seriously. Thankyou for sharing it.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I don't know Jed, but he has a point. We will all have to get use to spinach and eggs. I have come to like it. He was right, there is so much of the green and yellow paint, they send me a can of each when I build my engine models on the WP&YR, It was the only way to get the shade perfectly correct. The color choice is not so bad. John Deere made it famous. Glad you liked the video.

[@crystalrose7192]

Thank you for sharing this video, just beautiful and will never forget it. I needed to get away but it is not possible but with your help I feel like I was there and you gave me the time away I so needed. God Bless!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I am a person preoccupied with trains, but the serenity and beauty of the landscape up north is something to behold. I understand where you are coming from. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@annawinters4346]

This is one of the most amazing rail journeys I have seen. It is absolutely incredible, thank you! I tried to keep up with where we were by following Google Maps, but because of the editing, it was impossible. Never mind. After such a long arduous trek, you certainly earned your crust.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I admire the extend of your interest in this journey. It is true, some less interesting sections I have removed to keep the length of the presentation in check. However, throughout the video the sequence is maintained. No scenes are out of place. Thank you for your very interesting comment.

[@donpatrick8582]

Interesting Cab ride.... have been to Carcross and Fraser lake... but must have been sleeping at the switch... never realized the distance.... and still onto Whitehorse at one time... now this vidio gives one the perspective... after a dozen cruises into Skaway... deserve another.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I was all set to cruise up there in May... Wonder how things look at the WP&YR these days, now that he cruising industry is in the dumps. The video means pleasant memories to me too.

[@michaelwhite5255]

This train ride is a must for visitors to Alaska. Amazing scenery and great photo opportunities. Happy memories of my trip in 2016. Thank you.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I fully agree with you. It is a must. Glad I could provide you with this video to relive your memories. I have been up there so many times, I lost count.

[@H.pylori]

Sir, thank you for this video. Most of us only go to White Pass and back and never get to see Fraser, Bennett, and Carcross. Now I know what the area beyond White Pass looks like. This was also a great reminder of the points of interest on the White Pass turnaround. Since your video, in 2019, they have built a loop at the top of White pass so that the train now only has to go around the loop to return to Skagway...no more uncoupling etc. Forget any negative comments, there are always depressed people around.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I am glad you enjoyed the video. It certainly is interesting how different the landscape it when one goes beyond the White Pass. It may be less exciting but still very beautiful. Yes, I know about the balloon loop at the pass, but I have not seen it yet. May be next year, when I go up to Skagway again. Turning trains around has always been a bottleneck. That improvement was needed with the number of trains running up to the pass. The WP now operates 4 loops, at shops, the summit, Fraser Lake, Bennett Station and the Y in Carcross. Some of the negative comments are strange. They are picking on things outside of my control. I just have to ignore them.

[@philipwilson867]

This reminds me of the 70s and early 80s when I started on the Rock Island then Missouri Pacific railroad’s in Texas. Old equipment I became an engineer back then and I felt really at home watching. Later the Union Pacific took over and things really changed. That equipment is all scraped now you wouldn’t believe what I was running when I retired at 44 years. I would have really liked to have made a few runs on this railway. Thanks

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I know what you mean. As I told the engineer on that locomotive: "I wish I had an office with a view like yours". I am so glad to hear my effort has brought back memories for you, some of them pleasant, I hope.

[@billr8667]

This brings back fond memories of our trip down from Carcross a few years ago. That this line continues to be used is a tribute to the many who gave their lives building roadbad and bridges. I'm glad the old bridge 18A is out of service. I know it was used for a long time, but it looks shaky. One memory is that of looking almost straight down the mountainside from our coach. In many places this line is just clinging to the mountains! This was a great trip and I'd do it again in a heartbeat given the opportunity. Thanks for posting.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I was hoping to have that opportunity of another ride in May. I was all set to take a cruise up to Skagway again. It was not to be. I agree with you, it is nice that they have respect for to accomplishments of railroads builders and kept that rickety bridge 18A as a monument. Sounds like you are taken with the scenery, just like I am. Thanks for posting your comments.

[@joncalon7508]

Old Bridge 18A wasn't capable of handling the expected loads of Lead-Zinc Ore (or the Alco's that were being built to handle that traffic) that were to come from the mine in Faro, Yukon, so that's why the WP&YR built the second tunnel and new 18A bridge, back in the 60's.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

It is still amazing that old 18A was able to handle the traffic for almost 60 years. Those steam locomotives the army brought in, when the Alaska highway was built, were heavy weights too. Did you know the second tunnel is leaking a little water and most springs they have to go in and physically remove the ice build-up on ceiling and floor.

[@slycat1939]

FANTASTIC VIDEO AND AWESOME VIEWS. WOW WHAT SCENERY. TY FOR THIS.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I just love the area up there and I do love trains. I guess the video shows that. Thank you for your comment.

[@TrainLordJC]

Magnificent video of this great train ride. In 1988 while I was driving my 1969 VW campervan around the world, and while I was in Skagway I heard the sound of a steam train whistle! Well I found the steam locomotive and asked to onto the footplate. I spent several days on that old (no 73 I believe) which was an amazing experience. The engine driver organised a free ride in the cab of the diesels (they were painted blue at the time in Aug 1988) and I too experienced that wonderful cab ride which in those days only went as far as Summit Lake. But having overnighted at Carcross (short for Caribou Crossing where the local indigenous population waited for those animals to cross Lake Bennett well before white man came to the scene) it was interesting to see how much that little township had changed because in 1988 I was the only foreigner (Dutch Australian) wandering around those old pioneer huts and the old sternwheeler Keno. So thank you for bringing back great memories from half a lifetime ago.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You certainly have fond memories of the area. It is easy to fall in love with this entire stretch of country, BC, the Yukon and the Alaska panhandle. I have been on several of the Diesel locos and on a train with the #73 for the return trip to the Fraser lake loop. It is a very impressive experience one take back from these excursions. In Carcross there is not much that has changed, with the exception of a few souvenir shops the WP&YR have out up and of course the now burned down paddle wheeler they made into a memorial site.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

I went the whole hour and a half and it was worth every mile. Beautiful scenery and good production skills. Thanks!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Thank you, you are very kind. I agree, the scenery is beautiful and all natural, my production skills I am working at.

[@samanthaanne246]

Ditto! to have been ON that train personally...I can only imagine how fresh that air smells, the pines, the cool crispness. Would truly be a once in a lifetime vacation plan.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@samanthaanne246 You describe it perfectly. The air does seem a bit more clear and does carry a scent of pure, but pleasant wilderness. Everyone should experience it at least once.

[@denisdurivaux9245]

@@Landsend-Railroad 1111

[@denisdurivaux9245]

@@Landsend-Railroad pp1

[@dennisrankin325]

I just recently came across this and my oh my are there many fond memories of my ride on this line that you have just brought back to the surface. I was able to ride the full 110 miles both ways on a two day outing, overnighting in Skagway in October 1975. I rode the cupola of the comboose #211southbound from north of Carcross to lunch at Bennett where #73, the rotary 1 and a flanger were on display to the west of the station.. On the way back from Skagway the next day, I was afforded a trip aboard the cab of GE #93 from Bennett to Utah where the crew set off about 40 container flats for another load. When the spurs were put to her and the train was allowed to do its maximum speed of 25 mph, the 93 gave a vibrating, tooth chattering rough ride, but how exhilarating it was. When we crossed the Alaska Highway I was allowed to give the horn the two long a short and a long. Now except for operating the train myself, how neat was that eh. Thank you for the memories. Oh the MLWs were not out when I rode, only the GEs, but I did see them at the shops when I walked up there. A number of ex EBT hoppers were also on the property and I photographed them beside the mainline between the shops and the Skagway station. Thank you and happy to see that you had a similar experience.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Hello Dennis. How I wish I could have been along on your ride back in 1975. I did not know of the WP&YR then. You have even seen sections that are no longer maintained or traveled. You must have gone over the high cantilever bridge. Carcross is the end of the line. There is next to no hope for the track to Whitehorse to open up anytime in the near future. I have been on the #93 several times and never found it excessively shaky, even at max speed about 25 miles/hour on the flats between the WP summit and Fraser Lake. I guess they have done a lot track work and upgrading since your experience. Its all heavy gauge rail now and many new alignments have been made. The safety requirements are likely higher now than they were then. Now it is a passenger/Tourist line, when you were there it was almost all freight. I am so glad I could give you a glimpse how it all looks now and I am sure the memories are just flooding back. Thanks for telling me about your encounter.

[@dennisrankin325]

@@Landsend-Railroad I gather that since I rode 93 it has had some heavy repairs/rebuilds so the fact that it rides better is nice to know. At 20 mph it was reasonably smooth, seemingly its optimum balance, but at 25 it was impossible to carry on a conversation or even hear yourself think. The noise and vibration was I'm sure a function of the main generator and the traction motors' gear boxes. But again, an experience I wouldn't trade. I'm not sure which bridge was the cantilever, if it is the one at Dead Horse Gulch, no we went around it as the track does now. When I rode south from Whitehorse the Conductor invited me into the cupola and after we were underway again from our compulsory stop at Carcross, the Tutshi was still intact then, he rejoined me in the cupola of 211 and expressed regrets that he hadn't asked the engineer if I could ride with him. I said I was enjoying my conversation with him but that I would not mind the cab ride south from Bennett. Can't be done he said. We, the three man Canadian crew that is, would take the northbound that we were to meet at Bennett back up to Whitehorse and the 5 man American crew would take our train south. Thus the three spaces in the engine and the two in the cupola would be occupied by employees thus leaving me out. At that time that was the union rules for the two sections of the railway. So with that said, I told the Conductor that I would be only overnighting in Skagway and would be returning to Whitehorse the next day and were they on tomorrow. Yes he said we will and I'll ask for you at lunch. So after the meal at Bennett the next day I went out to the platform on the northbound track side of the station, saw a man walking the train, asked him if he was the engineer to Whitehorse and his response was, yes are you the fellow riding with me? So I went in 93's cab as far as Utah, where the two GEs set off our 40 or so container flats with the MTs and I rode the 211 the rest of the way into Whitehorse. I don't recall the number of our second unit. By the way, the trains south of Bennett had 5 locomotives and the trains north of Bennett only two. Same trains, but because of the mountain grades the three extras were required for haulage and/or dynamic braking. One thing that you said and was a change from what I'd been told, was the curve beside Lake Bennett that you called Guardrail Point, was then called Guardrail Curve, and it indeed then did have a guardrail spiked down in it. The new highway north from Skagway had just been started and I saw it across the valley when under construction. Oh and one last tidbit. My train south was only one flat car with a big Chevy Suburban and a camper trailer on it. It belonged to one of the other of us four passengers as he had just spent the summer driving around Alaska and was returning home to Skagway for the winter. Too there was a coach green ex Colorado and Southern boxcar in use as a baggage car and our comboose 211. You see there had been a rock fall at the docks and a gasoline storage tank was punctured and spilled its contents into the harbour. That meant no freight that day until it was cleaned up, so it appears the cleanup was a success as I was on the back end of a 5 unit 40 car train the next day. That too meant that I couldn't get down to the end of track out beyond the end of those docks to see and photograph the string of 4 abandoned 2-8-2 steam locomotives, tenders and the other rotary. I gather that they were 70 and 71 and the two x Sumpter Valleys. I almost missed my train leaving Whitehorse as I was unaware that the railway ran on Alaska time, so a good thing I went to take pictures at what I thought was an hour before leaving when indeed it was mere minutes, otherwise... Oh and have you ever imagined what the railway was like when being run by the US Army during the war. How they got that many trains over the road daily with all steam was a herculean effort. They must have used Railroaders who had enlisted otherwise it woulda been a right jolly mess. It would have been the best time to have witnessed the White Pass in action with every passing track in use for meets, and too probably double and triple headers the norm to Bennett don't ya think eh! Again, thank you Laddie. Watching your video was time well spent.

[@edgolding9962]

Wonderful video awesome cab view of the rugged beauty of north west British Columbia ,Yukon Canada and part of the state of Alaska USA. this video is the best ,the beauty of the country is over powering.Thank You such a thrill to see.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

We both agree, the scenery is in deed awesome. I can not get enough of it. Having been up there 10 times now, I was planning on another trip this spring. Sadly that has now become wishful thinking. An update of this video will have to wait till next year I guess...

[@twinvideoproduction9662]

Awesome ride and scenery. Thank you for sharing. I did the Skagway and White Pass route. Enjoyed every minute on the train .

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Glad you enjoyed it! I have been on that train many times now and I enjoy it every time again. It is hard not to.

[@joncalon7508]

At 1:00:13, the engine is exactly at the spot where my wife and I exchanged wedding vows behind our chartered caboose (seen parked behind the rotary at the Skagway Depot), almost 20 years ago now. John Westfall (looking much younger then) was the engineer for us then too. We also had our first date on a summit excursion train many years earlier, so seemed fitting to return there for our wedding. Great video!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Wow! You really have a memorable relationship with the WP&YR. Getting married at Inspiration Point certainly gives a new meaning to the name of that spot along the line. I knew John is with the WP for many years. My wife and I met him in 2006 and you are right he did look a bit younger then.

[@joncalon7508]

@@Landsend-Railroad You better believe I have a memorable relationship with the WP&YR...I've ridden the line between Skagway and the Summit at least a half-dozen times, and drove up there from Calgary to be at the Centennial spike driving in Carcross in 2000. I think I can still find my face in the panorama photograph that was taken that day.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@joncalon7508 You are indeed a WP&YR veteran. My love for that silly little railway started a bit later. I was not part of that crowd when the spike diving picture in Carcross was taken. However I have been over the entire length of the line (to Carcross) several times and know the line well enough to tell any point when looking at a picture. I hear it is very quiet up there right now...

[@michaeldunne7139]

Very enjoyable - great production giving priority to the wonderful scenery but adding the informative commentary where appropriate. For me that was a great 1 hour and 20 minutes. I felt as if I was really there.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Your comment is quite a reward for the time and effort I spent putting this video together. I love the area and I love the railroad, I guess it shows. Thank you.

[@dw.7655]

Great Video. Our son heads for Skagway on Monday , August 27. Going to do the same trip from Carcross - Skagway on his second day in Skagway. We just got back from Switzerland a couple of weeks ago, riding the RhB for an entire week. What a trip. Alaska is on our bucket list for sure. Thanks for posting this video and sharing your vacation.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

A few years ago I too have been in Switzerland riding the RhB for almost a week. I do have fond memories of this visit. Your son will enjoy the WP&YR, I am sure. Lets hope he will have as nice a day as I had when I did this video. It too is a trip that will make you go back again and again --- I do. On the subject of Switzerland and the RhB, have a look at some of the other videos on my channel. You will see some of the RhB trains running on my gardentrain layout.

[@larsmolin8788]

A BIG thank you from northern Sweden. I´m sitting on a bike in front of a computer and "run" all the way! My regards to the driver! Perhaps I can come when the pandemi is over?

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I can just see you on you bike riding the rails through Alaska. When this pandemic is over you should most definitely plan on making the trip. You will not regret it. Thanks for the comment.

[@prakashjog1948]

Thank you for a fascinating journey.In these trying times of Corona virus these are the only journeys possible. I can visualise the joy you must have got while shooting the video. May you have the pleasure of seeing many more beautiful places.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You said that very well. It was in deed a very enjoyable ride and I wish for many more like it. Time will tell. We are all hoping for a better future. Travel has always been a bit of luxury, now it is impossible. Thank you for the meaningful words.

[@trainsimulatordriver]

Very enjoyable video. Thanks.😀

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You are very welcome.

[@michelledauvergne6830]

Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful journey. Amazing landscapes ! Have a nice day !

[@Landsend-Railroad]

And a nice day to you too. Thanks for watching,

[@specterman]

Thanks for sharing your ride with us !! Great job !!

[@barryjgalbraith2635]

What an amazing experience. Stunning, unspoilt scenery. Wish I could ride on that train!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Berry, I have been on it several times, but still long for more.

[@4226able]

@@Landsend-Railroad s.p. line coal shovel for free....see my post on this yukon page comments up top........here we go---------->*.....steve wilcox, marfa, texas.

[@Massiveminion]

Rode this train with friends 1977 when asbestos was hauled. Then the train was long enough to feel the slack action of brake application climbing/descending hills. At 1 point I was outside on vestibule filming and slack action nearly threw me off into the weeds, lol. Ride was sure fun though. Plus back then Skagway was still working on port facility to accommodate tourist trade. We had to walk 1+ mile to lodging accommodations as all the jitneys were taken by tourists who preceded us disembarking. Not a big deal for we 30-somethings but friend's parents who went were 70-ish luggage gets heavy after several steps.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Seems now that the 70th were still pioneering day by todays standards. I am befriended with one of the engineers on the WP and he explained once to me how he counteracts the slack action caused by the couplers when cresting a hill, starting up or beginning to brake. It is quite an art when you come to understand the skill it takes to deal with it. I enjoyed hearing from you. Thanks for commenting.

[@jcpjean-claude4576]

a very nice video . Great travel in à beautiful country . A very good job , thank's

[@pentlandite9023]

Excellent commentary, stunning scenery!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I just muddle along with the commentary, but you are right about the scenery.

[@donmcfadden7390]

Wow, what a beautiful video. Nicely photographed and edited. Thanks so much for posting it.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Thank you for your positive comments. The only thing better is to go up there and try it. It is worth the trip.

[@TheTRIOptimum]

Oh man, what a wonderfull scenery that is. Why is there such hate and violence in the world. People, have a look what nature and humanity in friendship is capable of. So nice, thank you for this piece of video.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

There is much beauty and good will out there. It just gets harder to find these days. Thank you for your appreciation of what I do.

[@danielfantino1714]

The end part is interminable downhill and dynamic brakes worked their share to hold the weight. Bet the return trip, the 251 will smoke good for the uphill climb.. Really impressive ride and scenery. The good point, if it fall....you won´t get hurt, but be playing harp for St Pierre....excellent filmwork. Simple that shows everything.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

On this paticular run the #110 had to do double duty with its dynamic brakes since the diesel engine of the #103 had quit on its arrival in Carcross the day before. This presented a lot of extra dead weight in the consist. The end part of the downhill run, as you call it, already begins at he summit 52:00. There are very few and only short stretches of level track almost all the way to "shops" 1:17:30. And thank you for your appreciation for my part in making this video

[@danielfantino1714]

Narrow gauge Far remote location without rail connections Unique model of locos that outlast the plant that builted them. I territory, 1 province, 2 countries. Lot of variations in height, vegetation, climate with stiff grades. Question. Where was the mine ? Find no evidence on Google Earth. A big thanks to have answered and good 2024.

[@vettebecker1]

My dream house (Pennington Station @ 17:28), to live in an old Station on the railroad and have that kind of scenery with a lake. Dream Come True!!!!! great video, thanks for sharing

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I agree with you. Pennington Station would be a great place for retirement. Supplies are no problem, there is a train coming by every day. (When there is no washout down the line)

[@samhouston1673]

My thoughts, exactly!

[@MauricioCruz-ml9hl]

vettebecker1 t

[@tommorin6195]

I can do reno's for vacation and fishing time. 😎

[@joncalon7508]

@@Landsend-Railroad Only during the summer though!

[@jonnymoka]

Thank you for sharing . It bring me back to when I traveled there in the summer of 94. Boy has it changed

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I was up there for my first trip in 1990, 4 years before you. And you are right some things have changed, but not as much as in other places I have traveled to recently for the second time.

[@lolaengelbrecht5199]

Thank you for a wonderful video. The scenery is so breathtakingly beautiful and the video is excellently put together, narrated and captioned. Totally in love with Alaska now. Best wishes from Andre and Lola Engelbrecht in South Africa P.S. Loved the bear!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

It is easy to fall in love with the wilderness up in Alaska. I have been up there about 10 times, by air, by car, and on cruise ships and don't get tired of it. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you too.

[@jimtalbott9535]

In 2003 my wife and I were moving from Fairbanks to Eastern Washington State - we'd planned to take our UHaul to Skagway and take a ride before boarding the AMHV Columbia - but our vehicle was first hit by a Semi near Tok, and then our second Uhaul was disabled west of Haines Junction by 3 flat tires (two of which were ON the truck when we got it in Tok; thanks UHaul). We missed the train, and ended up having to take the sailing out of Haines instead of Skagway. We did at least manage to stock up at the liquor store in Haines prior to boarding, and since we had a cabin, we managed to get a much-needed shower too. But I DO want to get to Skagway sometime and take this trip!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Hello Jim, I can feel your frustration with you. This is in deed a hard luck story. I know all the locations you mention well, I have been in Fairbanks, in Tok, Haines and Whitehorse, but never travelled the road from the Alaska highway to Haines. We stayed in a motel in Tok and were the guests of honor for the night (luck of the draw). No question about it, you don't have a very pleasant memory of that place like we do. I am glad you got that needed shower and could dull your pain with some help from the liquor store. Keep trying to get to Skagway and ride the WP train. It is certainly worth the trip. I have been up there at least 8 times now, by air, by cruise ship and by car, and still love it.

[@oscarkarais175]

Probably the best WPYR vid I've seen yet...

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Thank you. I try.

[@happyhighway106]

#341 Thank You for a "Well Done Video". I worked for the "C & O-B & O" RR as well as "The Ann Arbor" RR. The Memories of my pass re-lived. Thanks!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I take it, you had no trouble to follow the turn-around shunting procedure through the Y at the beginning. Thank you for appreciating my efforts.

[@47fireguy16]

Made the bus ride from Skagway to Carcross-Emerald Lake area and then rode the train back from Fraser to Skagway. Very enjoyable and scenic trip. The Klondike miners had to be a very hardy bunch. You can still see the trail they walked up more than a 100 years ago. Looks like they had 2 major washouts since we were there 10 years ago.Highly recommend the trip.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

!0 years ago the WP&YR did not run a passenger service to Carcross, now they do. Skagway to Fraser Lake was as far as one could go. The landscape beyond Fraser Lake is very different but also very beautiful. The area of the last major washout can be seen at 32: 20. The video shows the new dam with new ballast on the track, followed by a view down the slope where the old dam went when the creek went over the top.

[@bobbender2922]

Love that humming Alco 251 Diesel and the 26L Brake valve.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Sound like you know your Alcos

[@billdougan4022]

Looks like the diesels are going to the Durango & Silverton in Colorado. trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/04/14-durango--silverton-buys-white-pass--yukon-diesels

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@billdougan4022 That certainly is news to me. Seems since the WP are now beginning to receive the new far more powerful Diesels, the old Alcos are becoming surplus.

[@davidgrigg2191]

I am a train nutcase with the Yukon in my blood. In 2000, I was invited ride this route in the cab of a White Pass steam engine. Since, life has been defined by this as you all can imagine!

[@staffanpercy4357]

Bu

[@joevictor6815]

That was the most satisfying video I've seen. thanks for uploading. I enjoyed every moment of it. Beautiful!! please upload more of such video. Thank you so much, loved it.

[@lxdesign1]

Fun to watch, thanks for sharing... interesting how different the radio chatter is, and the yard switching is from what I have learned, but I guess it works for them! This would be an awesome trip to take.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You are right, it is an awesome trip to take. I you have a chance to get to Skagway, you should take it.

[@samanthaanne246]

Excellent video! Thanks for the upload share, AWESOME VIEWS. I am sure that actually being there on the train is FAR BETTER

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You are right. Having the wind blow at your face is a lot more real than any video can ever convey.

[@bruceshook1781]

My wife and i rode this train in 2015 from Skagway to carcross and on into CANada by bus. It was a wonderful trip!!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Coming from Skagway, anything beyond the White Pass summit is already Canada. First it is British Columbia and from halve-way along Lake Bennett it is the Yukon. You are quite right about it being a wonderful trip taking you though a great landscape.

[@AnthonyMaw]

The railway is quite amazing much of it is cut into the steep valley hillside so it gives precipitous views - if you're sitting on the right side of the train going south towards Skagway. The museum said many people believed the railway could not be built through the rugged terrain but the engineers and financial backers proved them wrong. Train ride tickets aren't cheap but I guess it reflects the high maintenance costs.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You are quite right in everything you said. It is spectacular and the maintenance is costly. Just this year a bridge was damaged by a rock slide. In addition to the repair costs, the WP lost about a week of revenue during the repairs.

[@louisfavre04]

Excellent movie. Very well done. Refreshed a lot of memories from my two rides with the White Pass and Yukon Railway. Thank you for sharing!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@larrygrimaldi1400]

We took the White Pass RR to the Canadian border and back. Since there was no map, I have no idea is this is the way we came. Alaska was much better than I expected. If you are only interested in trains, there are a half dozen old restored train lines in Colorado with a great variety, and it is much easier to get to.

[@ralphaverill2001]

As I watched the video, especially after Bennet Station where the train more or less follows the Chilkoot Trail, I kept thinking of the Jack London stories of the miners heading for the Yukon gold fields. Starting in Skagway, through Chilkoot Pass, Lake LeBarge, and so on to the Yukon River and Dawson. Great stories of hardship and heartbreak looking to strike it rich.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

When visiting this area one can not keep these early adventures out of ones mind. Their tough life and the hardship they were facing can be still felt when you take a close look at this beautiful but also forbidding countryside. And considering how few actually struck it rich, makes one wonder why they chose to pursue such dreams.

[@nevadaknight]

We did it last May 2019. Fabulous. My wife wants to buy property in Carcross. The train follows from Frazer White Pass along the White Pass trail done through Dead Horse Pass then down to Skagway. The Chilkoot Pass is the next cove west from Skagway. You can drive to Dyea where the long steamship wharf remains are at the site of the town. Then drive a mile or so to the start of the Chilkoot trail. You can hike the trail. It’s the longest museum in the world with thousands of artifacts along the trail to marvel at but not take. At the top of Chilkoot there is a series of lakes to Bennett lake. Both White Pass and Chilkoot meet at Lake Bennett and continue Carcross (caribou crossing) then to Whitehorse where you caught a steam wheel on the Dawson river or walked to Dawson

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@nevadaknight You obviously have taken your time to study the history of this huge area full of historic facts and artifacts. There is far more to see and experience that a ride on the train. However, it is still a good way to get the feel of it all. Thanks for sharing you views and hints.

[@nevadaknight]

Ralph. I’m a history nut so to speak and we spent all summer there. The train ride was one of our bucket lists. It’s all a beautiful and amazing place. I was only trying friends a teachable moment that there are two passes there and the train is on White Pass , hence the name. Patty and I spent time in Dyea and found the graveyard with the 94 victims of the Chilkoot avalanche. And the start of the trail. We did just a bit as that was not our plans. Wish I was younger and I would do the two to three day hike. As you said. The entire area is historic and impossible to see it all in a short time. Thanks so much

[@joefranks4235]

Last time I was there was in 2009. Loved it. Sure hope I will be able to get back to Alaska again.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I hope that you do. It is just as great now, as it was in 2009. I was all set for a trip to Skagway this May. A virus got in the way...

[@Tshasta4449]

Thanks for a very informative trip, great scenery shots.

[@davescott2485]

Great video sir..thanks for sharing it with us!

[@cestmoi1262]

The memories this brings back! 1 Alaska trip is worth 10 other trips to anywhere else (alright, maybe exclude Europe as a distant 4th and 5th). The grandeur of Alaska is to me unsurpassed by anything else I have seen.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I do agree with you, mind you, a larger part of what you are seeing in this video is really the Yukon Territory and British Columbia. There is one travel destination which in my experience also ranks very high and that is Antarctica.

[@railroad9000]

Love the sound of the idling diesel!

[@FelicianaDelacruz]

A really wonderfully done video, and the scenery is just spectacular. A huge thanks for sharing this with everyone and it looked like you were really having a great time there. But as with all good and fun times they end to end all too quickly. Thanks again for a wonderfully done video!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Thanks for expressing you appreciation. Yes, I did have a great time. I tried to repeat that same wonderful trip this year. It was not to happen. I had it all organized, but when I got to Skagway the bad news was: They just had a rock fall and it damaged bridge. The result: No trains were running for several days. I almost had another video to show...

[@fmartino100]

WOW..what a ride, that has to be the greatest adventure ever. A must for anyone's bucket list...it sure is mine😀...Frank

[@Landsend-Railroad]

It is nice to hear from like-minded people. I, for one, love that silly little railroad. Thank you for commenting. I do hope you make it up there, its beautiful.

[@gunlokman]

Great video skill and post production work. Extremely enjoyable.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I do try to make every shot count and spent long hours editing on the computer. I am glad you noticed. Thank you.

[@klyonsden]

That front row seat would be a ride of a life time for me! Wonderful! God is masterful in his creations!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

It is in deed the best seat on the train.

[@robhampton4929]

Thank you for a wonderful trip. Rob From Australia.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Hello Rob, there is one thing better than the video. It is to ride the rain yourself. Make it a point, should you ever come across the Pacific.

[@lawrencemaderia3323]

This video is Absolutley Awesome, I did not want it to end .

[@josejr.canillas7704]

Very nice video & beautiful, very nice views. I love it.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Thanks for your kind comment. I love the trains and the landscape up there. This summer I go visiting again. May be I come back with another video to put on KZbin.

[@RobertFWWhitlock]

Excellent video, love the shots of the people and after the half-way mark, once upon the descent, holy cow!

[@yamahonkawazuki]

would you LOOK at that scenery. that crew is blessed to have that on a daily basis. and the passengers as well.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I mentioned something like that to the engineer I rode with: I like the view from your office window.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

@@Landsend-Railroad made similar comments before. And I do agree

[@normlang6633]

A great video experience!! Thanks for sharing...

[@PeterNGloor]

Dave is not just a trainman, he is a great host for the passengers.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I am sure he is. I did not have much of a chance to meet with him. I spent all my time up front with John.

[@DadbrosGarage]

That ride looks amazing but at the same time terrifying whilst riding along those cliffs

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Not for the faint-hearted, I admit. But no tourist train has ever fallen off those cliffs.

[@hildaito2250]

My God! how wonderful,beautyful and amazing is the land of our Lord! How can the human being make all the ways to comunicate,to show to share,to use all the goods that life can bring us.Under our God.Today one can see trough PC so many things around the world.Bless.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

The tools to-days technology gives us are in deed wonderful. They offer so much knowledge, understanding and enjoyment to us. It pains me to see how many people are misusing them.

[@RailPreserver2K]

You are insanely lucky I will say though when my grandmother and I were visiting Alaska we rode the train and I actually got to meet Steve Heights whos a former conductor for the White Pass and Yukon, I didn't say anything to him I shook his hand while he was on the cruise ship but I really wish I did

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I know a few people at the WP&YR, but that does not include Steve Heights. And I am not all that lucky, I work at it. I am welcome at the WP because I build models of their locomotives and some of their coaches and every few years I show them my latest accomplishments.

[@francesduty8950]

I luuuuv trains, thanks for this film/video, I really enjoyed the ride.

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

There are times where that edge is exceedingly PHEW, great trip.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

True! Sensitive souls chose to sit on the hill side of the train. To bad, they are missing the great view and all of the excitement.

[@rottenroads1982]

Locomotive 107 has been moved to the Durango and Silverton railway, which is also a three ft gauge narrow gauge railway.

[@PeterNGloor]

As a Rio Grande fan, I did not really feel happy about this. The Alcos belong to the Yukon

[@rottenroads1982]

Yes but they have been around sense 1969 so they have been around for a long long time. The White Pass and Yukon railway feels that they need an upgrade for their locomotive roster.

[@vettebecker1]

Pennington station would make for a nice residence to live in!! Railroad in the front yard would be a bonus

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I am with you. That would be a nice place for a residence. You would simply hail the train when you want to go somewhere. There is no other access. Unfortunately another viewer already had the same idea. I wonder if he would sublet.

[@vettebecker1]

That was me a year ago. I'm just surprised that the railroad built the station with no other access, unless it was to pick up and drop off some type of boat traffic??

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@vettebecker1 Well, then there is still the two of us that would like to live there. And to clear up your mystery about Pennington. It was never a station. The building functioned as accommodation for the crew doing track work and maintenance. Also train crews may have changed there. Some railways refer to it as a section house or service depot. Therefore the reverse is true: It was there because there is no other access.

[@vettebecker1]

Thanks for the clarification on the structure and thanks for the awesome video

[@johntsoukas8723]

Obviously narrow gauge,and the beauty of the entire ride is amazing!!!!!!!!!!

[@mariogeis9558]

Ocean Spray like Diesel. Amazing! Covid in my Underwear Bezzot!!!!!!!

[@faustinogarcia9737]

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[@blbeach]

Very enjoyable train journey! Thanks!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I agree. Thanks for commenting.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

And thank you to you too.

[@bobbydale1938]

Did it in 2015 ,was great , did not have this view !! Sweet

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You have a point. The view is great from the coach (at least on the valley side), but it is even greater when you can look out front, as I did on that trip.

[@tibinemes365]

Spectaculo,minunat.Multumesc.

[@nhdenver7883]

Thanks for the cab ride! Loved it!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Great, Thank you for telling me.

[@halbrown7121]

I rode the whole route from Whitehorse to Skagway back in 1971.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Can do no longer. I don't believe the line from Carcross to Whitehorse will ever be restored to rail traffic. There is just no economic return indicated. But still 67 of the 110 miles of the line are open now.

[@PeterNGloor]

It looks like you had the usual Carcross turn crew on this trip (famous trainman Dave..). I thought they were always on, as if they never had any days off. AND, you could still eat at Bennett. All is history now. No more lunch stop.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

You are right, that is the standard crew, John and Dave, at least on that Carcross run. Since they run up on one day and down on the next (six trips a week), they must have had Sundays off. Last time I did this trip was the last year they stopped at Bennett for lunch. They now serve the lunch on the run, using a converted container as a preparation kitchen. I have already build such a container for my model Carcross train I run in the Garden.

[@PeterNGloor]

@@Landsend-Railroad According to their website the Carcross turn is now daily except Sun/Mon. The layover of the train is 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. If I remember correctly, that was already the case when we last visited Carcross in 2017. That is the main reason the Bennett lunch stop had to be suspended. The stop at Bennett is now just another station stop, with mostly campers and hikers using it.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@PeterNGloor I have not checked the schedule on their website for quite some time. Because of the limited time the cruise ships stay in the harbor they had a the Carcross run split -- up by train, return by bus, or visa versa. I assume they feel confident to do the run in less time now, because of all the track improvements they have completed in the last years. That made the round trip by train now possible. I will just have to go up there as soon as travel is an option again.

[@deltatrains]

An amazing experience with bears and trains and other great scenery and a CAB RIDE ! Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. This will be a great channel as I know you have a good stock of spare videos. All the best Peter. ( and now I am a subscriber )

[@laszlovigh2513]

Nagyon jó videó Gratulálok! Magyarországról.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Örülök, hogy élvezted. Kanadából

[@thegreatcanadianlumberjack5307]

I did that in July of 2015 what a beautiful experience it was and would do it all over again.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Well may be not this year, but make plans for 2021, I do.

[@kingsuperbus]

Gorgeous! I love trains, too bad im just a switchman!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Please enlighten me: What does a switchman do exactly?

[@charlessagler20]

1:00:34-Stunning view of lake and mountains

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Sorry, I did not notice you comment sooner. This view is not of a lake, it is the end of Lynn canal. You are looking at salt water and the town of Skagway.

[@madelinemarie623]

So beautiful!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I take it you mean the scenery. You are so right!

[@Thomas1980]

Fantastic Train Video!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Much appreciated comment. Thank you.

[@krisiicc14]

Great video.Thank you.I like

[@MrJx4000]

Wow, great video, one of the best for this ride that I've seen. You even managed to video the bear at the 15:05 mark.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

When you have a clear view straight ahead, it is hard to miss a bear sitting on the track. Still I am glad you took note. Thank you.

[@mikemac2888]

How can you dislike this? Subbed. Awesome video!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I guess some people just don't like trains. Few, but the do exist.

[@JoJoGunn1956]

@@Landsend-Railroad Some don't like the choppy editing. Start recording and leave the camera alone.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

@@JoJoGunn1956 In principle I agree with you. However, the reality is, when you are on a cruise in Skagway for only so many hours you don't have time to install a solid camera mount in the cab of a locomotive. Hand-holding a camcorder for six hours on a shaky cab and pointing it straight ahead is more than I can handle. Besides, most people these days can not sit and watch a steady camera shot for any length of time. This video can only be a sampling of one of the worlds most beautiful scenery and the word choppy is not a good choice for what I tried to show. But then, you can not please all the people all the time!

[@brintsmith2329]

28:05 that is the best looking setup!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I agree. It is almost a postcard picture.

[@jeffreygosselin1143]

That "dinging" bell for almost the entire first 9 minutes..... or longer..... I see it is still going at the 10 minute mark..... YIKES!!!!!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Unfortunately it is either that or dead tourists! You have no idea how many viewers are complaining when I replace the original sound with elevator music. Can't please them all. And there is always the volume control.

[@Mike7478F]

That's health n safety.

[@debbiehernandez5325]

Been on this trip. Awesomeness also White water rafted on the Frazier River.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

Rafting on the Fraser River is something I have not tried yet. Sounds exiting.

[@제오르지아]

나도 딱5년전 여름 2015년에 유콘에서 한달살면서 스게그웨이갈때 요거 타고 갔었다.캐나다 유콘 매력적인곳이다 White Pass는 골드러쉬역사를 따라 달린다.나에게 좋은 추억이었다.다시 가고 싶은 여행~

[@TMandN]

Loved the ride. Thank you!

[@Landsend-Railroad]

I enjoy it myself, but I do the video for people like you. Thanks.

[@kelstra1997]

LGB modeled this very same loco (No 110) although at the time it was in the blue, white and orange livery which I think is nicer. Quite surprising the amount of weeds and growth on the track.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

LGB made one with all blue livery also. The jury is still out on which color scheme is the nicest. I noticed the weeds too. But mechanical removal is very costly and chemical spraying is not an option in these environmentally sensitive areas. A bit of a dilemma. Every year long stretches of track are reballasted and look very new for a while.

[@lakatimduff]

Hello!. The orange one is the Rio Grande paint No. 2056. I have this model

[@GregGNP]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@Landsend-Railroad]

It is good to get your kind of feedback. Thank you.