Re: #40 Climbs White Pass

On Saturday at 8:10 A.M. #40 pulled out of the depot with 5 cars a flat, ex Sumpter Valley combination car 211, and 3 wooden coaches. On board were 57 revenue passengers (none from cruise ships) and several comps. Stopped at Glacier for water, a photo run by, and to allow #21 the regularly scheduled "Fraser" train to get around it. Arrived at White Pass seven minutes late and proceeded to Fraser where the passengers were cleared through Canadian Customs. The train arrived at Bennett at 11:35 (on time).
After lunch everyone witnessed the launching of a replica of one of the boats built at Bennett during the gold rush. This boat has been hand built at Bennett by David Dirk (a man from Germany). After the Centennial on the 29th he will set off for Dawson and the gold fields.
The train then loaded 23 hikers and their gear (these are people who have spent 3 to 7 days hiking the Chilkoot trail from Dyea to Bennett) and departed for Skagway. Another photo run was made south of "Ptarmigan Point" and #40 arrived at Fraser on time. After meeting #23 the afternoon northbound Fraser #40 departed for Skagway where it arrived on time.
The locomotive performed beautifully. I dont have a digital camera but will try to post some pictures when I get them developed.