Re: WP&Y sold?????
| April 04, 2018 09:35AM |
|
KevinM Wrote:
> Interesting.... Not sure who you talked to, but
> I can probably guess. For the most part, what
> you said is spot-on. The White Pass is a tourist
> railroad, which lives off cruise ship business.
> People rarely get to Skagway any other way. It
> is a LONG way from the lower 48 and not a place
> you're going to drive to. If the White Pass sees
> any "railfan" types, it is probably off the cruise
> ships.
I agree with everything you said, but I'll mention a couple points. I've driven there 5 times, but, in a very spacious and comfortable tractor trailer, with a kitchen and bunk beds right behind the drivers seat.
The drive, itself, is worth the memories, if you have time.
You can also take the ferry up from Seattle. I've never done that, but, I believe it's cheaper, faster, and easier. This bears checking, because my information is old.
My mom took the cruise in 2008. She was quite the internet shopper, and, booked the cruise off season for $1500 (regularly 5K, I believe), and, they flew her for free from Atlanta to SeaTac.
The problem with the cruises, from the railfan perspective, is that you only stay one day in port. -One- trainride, whatever is available. Just a couple hours in town.
Some of my best memories of Skagway are sitting in Skagway Pizza, buying beer for the train crews.
They'll tell you -all- the best gossip. Note their joy at my arrival, to provide refreshment.
If you're able, it's really better to drive.
[get.google.com]
[get.google.com]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2018 11:02PM by Popeye8762.
> Interesting.... Not sure who you talked to, but
> I can probably guess. For the most part, what
> you said is spot-on. The White Pass is a tourist
> railroad, which lives off cruise ship business.
> People rarely get to Skagway any other way. It
> is a LONG way from the lower 48 and not a place
> you're going to drive to. If the White Pass sees
> any "railfan" types, it is probably off the cruise
> ships.
I agree with everything you said, but I'll mention a couple points. I've driven there 5 times, but, in a very spacious and comfortable tractor trailer, with a kitchen and bunk beds right behind the drivers seat.
The drive, itself, is worth the memories, if you have time.
You can also take the ferry up from Seattle. I've never done that, but, I believe it's cheaper, faster, and easier. This bears checking, because my information is old.
My mom took the cruise in 2008. She was quite the internet shopper, and, booked the cruise off season for $1500 (regularly 5K, I believe), and, they flew her for free from Atlanta to SeaTac.
The problem with the cruises, from the railfan perspective, is that you only stay one day in port. -One- trainride, whatever is available. Just a couple hours in town.
Some of my best memories of Skagway are sitting in Skagway Pizza, buying beer for the train crews.
They'll tell you -all- the best gossip. Note their joy at my arrival, to provide refreshment.
If you're able, it's really better to drive.
[get.google.com]
[get.google.com]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2018 11:02PM by Popeye8762.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.