Re: WP&Y

porterno2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wondered if news of the work we have been doing
> on the 61 would make it to this site. I post much
> more frequently on Facebook both my personal
> projects and the historic car and 168
> rehabilitations. Speaking of which I will do an
> official update on the special projects department
> soon, our team has been doing some great work! As
> for Whitepass 61, the lead truck rebuild is
> nearing completion, and the boiler survey has
> already begun after arriving in Antonito. It is
> never a dull moment, and staying busy is better
> than the alternative.
>
> Best,
>
> Stathi

Hi Stathi,

I apologize if I've missed something in this rather interesting thread. Is the "other" White Pass loco that was removed from the banks of the Skagway River after being buried as rip-rap by the railroad...and first sold to someone in the mid-west? If so, that boiler looks in amazing condition.

When I was up at White Pass back in 2011 for the rotary run, the RR folks told me the tale of the rip-rap engines and where I could find additional ones that were only partially buried. On the Friday after the rotary operation was complete, fellow photographer Matthew Malkiewicz and I embarked on a morning "archeology" trip and were astounded at what we found. There were indeed portions of boilers showing in the sand, including a Johnson Bar. We also found remnants of trucks from rolling stock, perhaps from passenger cars. And of course, the 60 was still there lying on her side at the north end of the yard.

WPY #60

If you're able to make that locomotive run again, she'll definitely have one of the more interesting histories of the extant narrow gauge steamers.....right up there with WW&F #9 that spent 50 years in a barn in Connecticut.

Thanks for all of your great posts!

/Kevin Madore