The idea of sending the 73 out for the 1,472 SDI....which is an inspection, not an overhaul....makes a lot of sense. As others have noted, the White Pass is primarily a diesel operation, and they have a large fleet of GE and Alco Locomotives which will need attention over the winter. Dealing with a boiler inspection on a steam engine would be an unnecessary distraction. Steam for them is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. And as has been mentioned, the logistics supply chain for an odd-ball job like a 1,472 really doesn't exist in Skagway. I lived up there for a week in 2011, and can tell you than a lot of the services that we all take for granted are non-existent there. If the White Pass wants the job done quickly and efficiently, sending it to a specialty shop in the lower 48 makes a lot of sense and is probably worth the cost.
An after all, the White Pass can afford this. They are the most popular tourist railroad in North America. They have 300,000+ captive riders pouring off cruise ships every year, paying roughly $100 each for a ride to White Pass. Back in 2011, they did a rotary run entirely for the training opportunities. Those of us who rode the chase train for that event paid only for the chase train. The railroad paid to have 2 steam engines, a rotary, 2 support trains and more than 40 personnel on the hill every day.....and they did it because they could.
Someone mentioned Locomotive 69, which is their current back-up. That machine is quite the beast. It was built for one purpose only....pushing heavy freights up to White Pass. Unfortunately, it is no longer superheated and requires water support at Glacier Siding in order to make the Fraser runs. It also has a deckless cab and the ergonomics are not a favorite with crews. The crew members can't see each other and the Fireman can't see his fire. The 69 is used as a back-up to the 73, but when I was up there, the crews did mention that the line would really like another 70-class engine. As we all know, there are only 2 others left besides the 73 and the current owner does not seem interested in selling either the runner or the kit. The folks at WPY did not seem interested in restoring one of the MacArthurs, despite the fact that there is one really handy in Skagway. I think their goal is to get 73 back into service ASAP, and contracting it out was the way to go for them.
/Kevin Madore
