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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Alaska Cruise on the Island Princess (June 2011) >> Skagway, Alaska and White Pass Yukon Route Railroad (June 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Skagway, Alaska and White Pass Yukon Route Railroad (June 2011)

The port of Skagway is a popular stop for cruise ships along Alaska’s Inside Passage. Tourism is the main business of Skagway. The Klondike gold rush made Skagway. In 1896, gold was found in the Klondike region of Canada's Yukon Territory. Ships brought thousands of hopeful miners into the new town and prepared for the 500-mile journey to the gold fields in Canada. The population of the general area increased enormously and reached 30,000, composed largely of American prospectors. By June 1898, with a population between 8,000 and 10,000, Skagway was the largest city in Alaska. The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad, part of the area's mining past, is now in operation purely for the tourists and runs throughout the summer months. It was completed in 1898 to transport prospectors from Skagway to the gold mines. Between 1897-1898, Skagway was a lawless town, described by one member of the North-West Mounted Police as "little better than a hell on earth." Fights, prostitutes and liquor were ever-present on Skagway's streets.
Skagway, Alaska and White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad cover page.
Skagway, Alaska and White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad cover page.		 Map showing the cruise route with the star indicating Skagway, Alaska.
Map showing the cruise route with the star indicating Skagway, Alaska.		 Map of historic downtown Skagway, Alaska.
Map of historic downtown Skagway, Alaska.		 The Island Princess, our cruise ship while it was docked in Skagway.
The Island Princess, our cruise ship while it was docked in Skagway.
Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.		 It provided better transportation for prospectors from Skagway who used pack horses or their backs to cross over the mountains.
It provided better transportation for prospectors from Skagway who used pack horses or their backs to cross over the mountains.		 A White Pass locomotive that was used to clear snow on the tracks.
A White Pass locomotive that was used to clear snow on the tracks.		 An ancient steam locomotive. The White Pass trains use modern diesel locomotives, today.
An ancient steam locomotive. The White Pass trains use modern diesel locomotives, today.
Interior of the train car. We nicknamed the lady on the left, Elizabeth Taylor.
Interior of the train car. We nicknamed the lady on the left, "Elizabeth Taylor."		 Building the WP&YR railroad was considered impossible. It was literally blasted through coastal mountains in only 26 months.
Building the WP&YR railroad was considered impossible. It was literally blasted through coastal mountains in only 26 months.		 The $10 million project was the product of British financing, American engineering and Canadian contracting.
The $10 million project was the product of British financing, American engineering and Canadian contracting.		 Tens of thousands of men and tons of explosives overcame the harsh climate and geography to create the railway built of gold.
Tens of thousands of men and tons of explosives overcame the harsh climate and geography to create "the railway built of gold."
The 40-mile roundtrip train ride climbs from sea level at Skagway to the summit of the White Pass at an elevation of 2,865 feet.
The 40-mile roundtrip train ride climbs from sea level at Skagway to the summit of the White Pass at an elevation of 2,865 feet.		 View from the train looking back towards Skagway.
View from the train looking back towards Skagway.		 A marker indicating where a workman died while constructing the railroad.
A marker indicating where a workman died while constructing the railroad.		 Approaching a tunnel.
Approaching a tunnel.
The locomotive entered the tunnel first.
The locomotive entered the tunnel first.		 Next, the coach cars entered the tunnel.
Next, the coach cars entered the tunnel.		 This ancient wooden train trestle is enough to make anyone nervous!
This ancient wooden train trestle is enough to make anyone nervous!		 An angled view of the tunnel and trestle.
An angled view of the tunnel and trestle.
One of many ancient trestles and bridges that are no longer in use by the railroad.
One of many ancient trestles and bridges that are no longer in use by the railroad.		 The timbers of this trestle appear to be rotting.
The timbers of this trestle appear to be rotting.		 This one is made from steel and timbers.
This one is made from steel and timbers.		 The top of an ancient trestle, which is no longer in use.
The top of an ancient trestle, which is no longer in use.
This looks like a rusty erector set.
This looks like a rusty erector set.		 Rusty steel and ancient timbers of the trestle.
Rusty steel and ancient timbers of the trestle.		 View of an ancient trestle from a distance, with a stream flowing under it.
View of an ancient trestle from a distance, with a stream flowing under it.		 This bridge is still in use.
This bridge is still in use.
The locomotive of our train crossing the bridge.
The locomotive of our train crossing the bridge.		 The rest of the train followed and approached the tunnel.
The rest of the train followed and approached the tunnel.		 View of the White Pass train cars entering the tunnel with tourists snapping pictures.
View of the White Pass train cars entering the tunnel with tourists snapping pictures.		 The WP&YR climbs 2,865 feet in just 20 miles and features two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles.
The WP&YR climbs 2,865 feet in just 20 miles and features two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles.
Sign indicating where the original foot trail was that prospectors used before the railroad was completed.
Sign indicating where the original foot trail was that prospectors used before the railroad was completed.		 U.S., Alaskan, British, Yukon and Canadian flags at the U.S. Canadian border as seen from the train.
U.S., Alaskan, British, Yukon and Canadian flags at the U.S. Canadian border as seen from the train.		 My fellow train travelers who rode in front of me.
My fellow train travelers who rode in front of me.		 A frozen pond that we passed.
A frozen pond that we passed.
There was a lot of snow along the White Pass train route, especially at higher elevations.
There was a lot of snow along the White Pass train route, especially at higher elevations.		 A large snowbank along the tracks.
A large snowbank along the tracks.		 View of the front of the train and snow piled up.
View of the front of the train and snow piled up.		 View of magnificent snow-peaked mountains as the train headed back to Skagway.
View of magnificent snow-peaked mountains as the train headed back to Skagway.
The train curving around the mountain pass.
The train curving around the mountain pass.		 Steel girders supported the ground beneath the tracks.
Steel girders supported the ground beneath the tracks.		 Mountain views along the White Pass route.
Mountain views along the White Pass route.		 From this snowy peak, it is obvious how the White Pass got its name.
From this snowy peak, it is obvious how the White Pass got its name.
This stream was formed from melting mountain snow and ice.
This stream was formed from melting mountain snow and ice.		 The last trestle that we crossed on the return trip to Skagway.
The last trestle that we crossed on the return trip to Skagway.		 Along the side of the tracks is the Gold Rush Cemetery where men are buried who died building the railroad.
Along the side of the tracks is the Gold Rush Cemetery where men are buried who died building the railroad.		 People disembarking from the train at Skagway. It was the terminus of our train trip.
People disembarking from the train at Skagway. It was the terminus of our train trip.
View of 2nd Avenue in downtown Skagway.
View of 2nd Avenue in downtown Skagway.		 There are many tourist and souvenir shops there since Skagway is a major cruise ship stop along Alaska's Inside Passage.
There are many tourist and souvenir shops there since Skagway is a major cruise ship stop along Alaska's Inside Passage.		 One of many jewelry shops in Skagway.
One of many jewelry shops in Skagway.		 More stores geared for tourists.
More stores geared for tourists.
Nice Victorian turret of the Skagway Mercantile & Cafe on 2nd Avenue.
Nice Victorian turret of the Skagway Mercantile & Cafe on 2nd Avenue.		 The Skagway Mining Company was next door.
The Skagway Mining Company was next door.		 An alley off of 2nd Avenue in Skagway.
An alley off of 2nd Avenue in Skagway.		 This quaint cart with potted plants was in the middle of the alley.
This quaint cart with potted plants was in the middle of the alley.
The ornate WP&YR Railroad Building, which was completed in 1900.
The ornate WP&YR Railroad Building, which was completed in 1900.		 Built in 1897, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one the finest bordellos in Skagway.
Built in 1897, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one the finest bordellos in Skagway.		 View of some of the shops on Broadway in Skagway.
View of some of the shops on Broadway in Skagway.		 Camp Skagway is one of many tourist shops on Broadway. Built in 1899, The entire front of is faced with pieces of driftwood.
Camp Skagway is one of many tourist shops on Broadway. Built in 1899, The entire front of is faced with pieces of driftwood.
Looking back at Camp Skagway. It was the headquarters for arctic brotherhood Camp Skagway No. 1.
Looking back at Camp Skagway. It was the headquarters for arctic brotherhood Camp Skagway No. 1.		 Built in 1898, Golden North is the oldest hotel in Alaska. It was a 2-story hotel that moved in 1908 to its present location.
Built in 1898, Golden North is the oldest hotel in Alaska. It was a 2-story hotel that moved in 1908 to its present location.		 Exterior of the Mascot Saloon on Broadway. It has a colorful past.
Exterior of the Mascot Saloon on Broadway. It has a colorful past.		 Window of the Mascot Saloon with many Alaskan beers on display.
Window of the Mascot Saloon with many Alaskan beers on display.
Interior of the Mascot Saloon with mannequins representing 19th century saloon goers. It is now a museum.
Interior of the Mascot Saloon with mannequins representing 19th century saloon goers. It is now a museum.		 It was popular during the gold rush days of 1898-1899, when Skagway was known as the roughest town on earth.
It was popular during the gold rush days of 1898-1899, when Skagway was known as "the roughest town on earth."		 More tourist shops in Skagway.
More tourist shops in Skagway.		 I admired this totem pole and wooden Indian in front of a tourist shop.
I admired this totem pole and wooden Indian in front of a tourist shop.
A great mural of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad on a wall outside of Effy Jewelers in Skagway.
A great mural of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad on a wall outside of Effy Jewelers in Skagway.		 We ate lunch at the Skagway Fish Company and had one of their specialties, fish and chips.
We ate lunch at the Skagway Fish Company and had one of their specialties, fish and chips.		 Interior of the Skagway Fish Company. It was rustic and had a laid-back atmosphere, and the fish and chips were fabulous!
Interior of the Skagway Fish Company. It was rustic and had a laid-back atmosphere, and the fish and chips were fabulous!		 The pier near the Skagway Fish Company with pleasure boats docked there.
The pier near the Skagway Fish Company with pleasure boats docked there.
After lunch, I shopped in Skagway for souvenirs. One of the stores that I went to was Tanzanite International at 4th & Broadway.
After lunch, I shopped in Skagway for souvenirs. One of the stores that I went to was Tanzanite International at 4th & Broadway.		 Looking down Broadway in Skagway.
Looking down Broadway in Skagway.		 A couple of older guys hanging out in front of the Kone Company.
A couple of older guys hanging out in front of the Kone Company.		 Nice turret at Corrington's Alaskan Ivory and Museum at 5th & Broadway.
Nice turret at Corrington's Alaskan Ivory and Museum at 5th & Broadway.
More stores on Broadway including Harley Davidson.
More stores on Broadway including Harley Davidson.		 The Skagway Bazaar at 6th & Broadway is a well-known tourist and crafts shop.
The Skagway Bazaar at 6th & Broadway is a well-known tourist and crafts shop.		 A beautiful 1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic in front of Temptations on 5th between Broadway & State Street.
A beautiful 1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic in front of Temptations on 5th between Broadway & State Street.		 The turquoise and white car was beautifully restored.
The turquoise and white car was beautifully restored.
Close-up of the grill of the car showing the Ford logo.
Close-up of the grill of the car showing the Ford logo.		 The rear of the car shows the prominent external spare tire on the back.
The rear of the car shows the prominent external spare tire on the back.		 The car seat matches the two-tone exterior.
The car seat matches the two-tone exterior.		 My last stop in Skagway was at the Red Onion Saloon, which was a popular brothel in gold rush days.
My last stop in Skagway was at the Red Onion Saloon, which was a popular brothel in gold rush days.
These bar maids are dressed up like gold rush era call girls.
These bar maids are dressed up like gold rush era call girls.		 This waitress was also dressed like gold rush days prostitute with a corset and turn of the century clothes.
This waitress was also dressed like gold rush days prostitute with a corset and turn of the century clothes.

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