Daniel,
the most important issue is to understand that the WP&YR is not a seasonal tourist railroad, even if she is for tourist and their pleasure to enjoy the wonderful north. I can't proof if I'm 100% right, but the White Pass & Yukon Route has to operate as railroad like the major railroads in the USA, Canada and international year around. Like the Union Pacific, Canadian Northern and international like the SNCF or DB. This means a lot of money has to be spent into the infrastructure that you don't see if you ride the trains. The railroad even is not running by railroad fans or entuastic RR peoples. All is well organized; nearly all employees are in the RR Union. Work trains and MOW or RSE are working around the clock during the high season between early May and end of September. 110 miles of track need to be in operating condition. Even if they are not running the whole line to Whitehorse. And if you see the daily work, its amazing what they have to do with replace ties, remove rock, new concrete on the walls. Etc... I could tell you much more.
But what I would like to say with my words, the price for a ticket seems to be expensive, but without there is no RR. Look to the million dollar program that the WP&YR is upgrading their diesel fleet to the highest and latest standard of technology.
Now to steam trains, mostly in summer times, engine 73 is running quite often not only on Saturdays. Engine 69 still has some small trouble and the cost to run here is extremely high. And the spare parts for both of them are very high too. Extra crew has to be paid for the steam engine, two instead of one engineer. Much more has to be said, but I don't have all the inside view and can't proofed 100%.
If you come next time up to the WP&YR, try the Alaska State Ferry and stay a few days in Skagway. Ride the train to or from Carcross, visit the WP&YR yards, walk around and may rent a car to drive on the highway to take great images at Carcross, Log Cabin, Fraser, Along Mile 7 and 8 and Skagway. Look for a nice place to stay in Skagway and have time to enjoy the wonderful North with our favorite Railroad, the White Pass & Yukon Route.
Boerries
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