Alaska Steam Trains
............
White Pass & Yukon Railway | Skagway, Alaska
Originally built during the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass & Yukon Route is one of the world's most scenic narrow-gauge heritage railroads, climbing from the historic port town of Skagway over the White Pass summit and into the Yukon. The views are dramatic from the first mile with steep canyon walls, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping mountain scenery that gets more breathtaking the higher you climb.
Most excursions run during the cruise ship season and are powered by diesel-electric locomotives, but Steam Locomotive #73, is scheduled to operate for select steam runs throughout the season.
From Thomas: "I've ridden the White Pass & Yukon twice, but I haven't caught it behind steam yet. Since most visitors are here for just one day on an Alaska cruise, the tricky part is timing your cruise ship's port schedule against the railroad's steam operating days. Check the steam schedule before your cruise departs, it's worth the extra planning if you can pull it off."
REGULARLY SCHEDULED
Operating Steam Locomotive:
White Pass & Yukon #73 | 2-8-2 Mikado | Baldwin | 1947
Website: wpyr.com/
Most excursions run during the cruise ship season and are powered by diesel-electric locomotives, but Steam Locomotive #73, is scheduled to operate for select steam runs throughout the season.
From Thomas: "I've ridden the White Pass & Yukon twice, but I haven't caught it behind steam yet. Since most visitors are here for just one day on an Alaska cruise, the tricky part is timing your cruise ship's port schedule against the railroad's steam operating days. Check the steam schedule before your cruise departs, it's worth the extra planning if you can pull it off."
REGULARLY SCHEDULED
Operating Steam Locomotive:
White Pass & Yukon #73 | 2-8-2 Mikado | Baldwin | 1947
Website: wpyr.com/
Tanana Valley Railroad Museum in Pioneer Park | Fairbanks, Alaska
Tanana Valley Railroad Museum is located within Pioneer Park and showcases the history of the Tanana Valley Railroad, which was built to serve the gold mines along the Tanana River just north of Fairbanks. The first steam locomotive to travel these tracks was #1 - which is now on display at the museum and is in operating condition and pulls the train at Pioneer Park for special events and holidays.
The Crooked Creek and Whiskey Island Railroad is the name of the narrow-gauge railroad that runs in a circle inside Pioneer Park. The railroad operates regularly during the summer with a replica locomotive.
Pioneer Park in Fairbanks is a 44-acre historic village and park that includes several museums, shops, restaurants, a vintage theatre, and other historic sites.
LIMITED SCHEDULE
Operating Steam Locomotive:
Tanana Valley Railroad #1 | 0-4-0 T | H. K. Porter | 1899
Website for Museum: www.alaska.org/detail/tanana-valley-railroad-museum
Website for Pioneer Park: www.fnsb.gov/462/Pioneer-Park
The Crooked Creek and Whiskey Island Railroad is the name of the narrow-gauge railroad that runs in a circle inside Pioneer Park. The railroad operates regularly during the summer with a replica locomotive.
Pioneer Park in Fairbanks is a 44-acre historic village and park that includes several museums, shops, restaurants, a vintage theatre, and other historic sites.
LIMITED SCHEDULE
Operating Steam Locomotive:
Tanana Valley Railroad #1 | 0-4-0 T | H. K. Porter | 1899
Website for Museum: www.alaska.org/detail/tanana-valley-railroad-museum
Website for Pioneer Park: www.fnsb.gov/462/Pioneer-Park
