As a 27 year resident of Alaska and someone who has ridden my fair share of railroads in the lower 48, if you haven't ridden the WP&Y; you are missing a treat. Key into the WP&Y website, they have consistently run the #73 and #69 during the summers; however the schedule does vary. I have ridden behind the #73 to Lake Bennett; it is an all day affair similar to a Cumbres and Toltec one way trip or a R/T on the DSNG; with time set aside to eat at the dinning facility at the Lake Bennett Station and time to walk over to the Parks Canada historical site at the former town site of Lake Bennett. Even, better take the train to Carcross. The scenery is fantastic, the history is amazing, the ride incredible and the locals are friendly. For the adventurous; I would recommend taking the Alaska State Ferry from Juneau to Skagway, for the more adventurous; take the Alaska State Ferry from Bellingham, Washington to Skagway or for the most adventurous; make the drive from the lower 48, thru British Columbia and the Yukon Territories and see the vast beauty of the Northwest. Just note: if you are on one of the cruise ships, you will only go as far as Frasier and the Alaska / Yukon Border Station and return to Skagway and you won't be riding behind the #69 or the #73. Lastly, spend some time in Skagway and learn the history of the Klondike Gold Rush as the miners made it over the pass into the Yukon and down the Yukon River into the gold fields of the Yukon Territories and into Alaska. The National Park Service has done an excellent job in restoring many of the original historical buildings along with many of the private property owners. It is well worth the hassle to get to Skagway. My hope is at some point in time, the WP&Y reopens the tracks from Carcross into Whitehorse.
Re: WP&Y, who rides this, among train buffs?
