Slippery Rock © Courtesy of White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
Built in 1898 to open the Klondike region of Yukon Territory to gold seekers, this narrow-gauge railway, initially stretching from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, was completed in 1900, just in time for the Klondike Gold Rush to be over. It took the labour of 35,000 men, using only black blasting powder and crude tools to battle the elements and treacherous landscapes, to hew out the 177-kilometre narrow gauge line.
The railway hauled freight and passengers for over 80 years before closing down in 1982 after a dramatic fall in world ore prices. But White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) persevered and reopened its doors six years later as “The Scenic Railway of the World,” providing rail excursions to tourists from all over the globe. In 1994, WP&YR was named an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, joining the likes of the Statue of Liberty and the Panama Canal in this prestigious honour.
Today, guests experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, trestles and tunnels from the comfort of vintage rail cars. Hear a fully narrated tour of the White Pass featuring tales of villainous gun-slingers, good-time girls, or would-be gold seekers struggling towards the Yukon, and see with your own eyes the untouched, pristine beauty of the Pacific Coastal Mountains. Trips depart from Skagway, AK, Fraser, BC, Carcross, YT, and Whitehorse, YT, between early May and late September each year. The WP&YR is Alaska’s most popular shore excursion and a favourite on many Alaska and Yukon travellers’ must-see lists.
Don’t miss these excursions in Alaska’s scenic railway of the world!
White Pass Summit Excursion
Relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass Summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. See the original Klondike Trail of ‘98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune.
Bennett Scenic Journey
Travel just over 108 kilometres by train between Skagway, AK, and Carcross, YT, along the same route the Klondike stampeders traversed in 1898! Couple that with a motor coach tour along the scenic Klondike Highway to complete your 193-kilometre round-trip excursion. Enjoy a scenic Bennett, BC, only accessible via the White Pass train or by hiking the world-famous Chilkoot Trail. Experience the 1910 Bennett Station and stroll through our historic museum. Take the self-guided walk along the trails and tour the historic Gold Rush townsite.
Lake Bennett Steam Excursion
Travel back in time to the golden age of railroading aboard the pride of the White Pass fleet, Engine #73. Pulled by a 1947 Baldwin steam locomotive, you will travel to historic Lake Bennett in the Coastal Mountain Range. Step into history on the Chilkoot Trail or visit the 1910 Bennett station house with interpretive displays and a short video depicting the heyday of this isolated spot.
Learn about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush as you pass through tunnels and over trestles to Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, Dead Horse Gulch and the White Pass summit. Catch the incredible views through large picture windows on this limited-capacity excursion, offering the unique experience of riding an authentic steam train on the Scenic Railway of the World.
Plan your trip today at wpyr.com
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Experience this unique railroad that symbolizes accomplishment in adventure and pioneering – of triumph over challenge.