The White Pass & Yukon route was born in the Klondike gold rush of 1898 and the railroad company was organized by Sir Thomas Tancrede, representing London investors and Michael J. Heney, a railroad contractor who joined forces and purchased the right-of-way of a failed toll road from George Brackett, for $100,000 and construction began in May 1898. The route went from Skagway, at sea level, to 3,000 feet at the summit in just 20 miles with very steep grades and tight curves. It was a narrow gage railroad which meant lower construction costs. Just 4 months later the first engine went into service over the first four miles of track. Building the 110 miles of track was a big challenge including two tunnels and numerous bridges. Work on one tunnel took place during the winter with temps of 60 below. The route reached the summit of white pass in February 1899, 20 miles from Skagway.
Another crew was coming from the north and they met in July 1900 completing the 110 mile railroad. 35 thousand men worked on the construction, some for a day, others for longer. The $10 million project a combination of British financing, American engineering and Canadian contracting.
After the gold rush the railroad was used for transporting ore to ships in Skagway. During WW II, it was used to support the Alaskan highway project. The WP&YR suspended operations in 1982. In 1988 it was reopened as an excursion route between Skagway and White Pass Summit.
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