Photo by Diego Delso, delso.photo, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
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About White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway
The White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway traverses a 177.8‑kilometre, 3 ft (914 mm) narrow‑gauge line that climbs from the port of Skagway, Alaska, through dramatic mountains, glaciers and deep gorges to Whitehorse, Yukon. The train climbs to the 2,885‑foot (879 m) White Pass summit before descending along historic river valleys, offering panoramic views of rugged terrain that once carried gold‑rush freight and passengers across an isolated international corridor.
History
The White Pass & Yukon Route begins construction in May 1898, and on July 21 1898 it runs its first excursion train four miles out of Skagway, marking the first train operation in Alaska. After the charter rights of three earlier companies are consolidated on July 30 1898, the line reaches the 2,885‑foot summit of White Pass by mid‑February 1899, arrives at Bennett, British Columbia on July 6 1899, and drives the last spike on July 29 1900, with regular service commencing August 1 1900. The railroad operates continuously until 1982, is designated an international historic civil‑engineering landmark in 1994, and is partially revived as a heritage railway in 1988. Ownership passes from its original British‑financed founders to a subsidiary of Tri White Corporation, then to Clublink, after which Clublink sells it to a joint venture controlled by Survey Point Holdings with a minority stake held by Carnival Corporation & plc; Carnival completes full purchase of the railway in July 2018.
The Trains
The White Pass & Yukon Route operates a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow‑gauge line that runs 177.8 km between the port of Skagway, Alaska, and Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. Its historic rolling stock includes the named locomotive Duchess, which once served the Taku Tram branch, and the line’s reporting mark is WPY. By June 1914 the railway had 11 locomotives, 15 passenger cars and 233 freight cars on its 110‑mile (180‑km) main‑line trackage.
Nearby
The White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway is a standout stop on any Alaska rail itinerary — give yourself unhurried time for the climb.
Where to Stay
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