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Steaming to Bennett on the WP&YR

by Murray Lundberg

To Bennett-Carcross (northbound) Photo Album
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WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 0 - Skagway Station

Getting ready to leave the depot - July 20, 2001, 8:00 AM.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett I love the smell of napalm in the morning. - that line from the movie "Apocalypse Now" was brought to mind by the smoke pumping through the trees in the morning light.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 14.3 - Skagway River

As seen from Bridge 14A - the water is exceptionally high and muddy from recent rainy weather.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 14.3 - Bridge 14A

Bridges are numbered by their relationship to mileposts - the first bridge past Milepost 14 is 14A, the second bridge would be 14B and so on.
Locomotive #40 is seen here coasting south to Skagway.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 15.1 - Bridge 15A

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 16.0 - Tunnel Mountain

We are about to cross Bridge 15C and enter the 250-foot-long tunnel.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 18.6 - Bridge 18A

This is probably the most famous structure on the WP&YR line. Built over the winter of 1900-1901, it was the highest cantilever bridge in the world. The West Fork of the Skagway River is 215 feet below the bridge deck.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Many people breathe a sigh of relief when they see that the trains no longer use the old cantilever bridge!

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 18.7 - Bridge 18B

This bridge was built in 1969 when the railway began hauling much heavier ore cars. A 675-foot-long tunnel had to be built as well, as the canyon at that point is far too narrow for a curved track back down the other side.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 18.7 - West Fork Skagway River

As seen from Bridge 18B.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 19.4 - American Shed

A 1,042-foot-long snowshed was built here to combat heavy snows. It was removed in the 1980s when it became too rotten to maintain. To the left, the "Trail of '98" can clearly be seen.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 20.4 - White Pass Summit

This is as far as the Summit Excursions go - 2,865 feet above sea level. About 70% of White Pass passengers take that excursion, often due to cruise ship schedules that don't allow for a longer trip.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 21 - Canadian Shed

To combat drifting snow, a 1.064-foot snowshed was built over this cut through the granite.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett ca. MP 23 - Summit Lake

The South Klondike Highway can be seen on the far side of the lake. The beautiful colour of the water shows that this lake is glacier-fed.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 24.6 - Meadows

This beautiful spot is quite a surprise to find among all the granite of the White Pass.

Fraser, British Columbia

At Fraser, British Columbia you meet the South Klondike Highway, and may switch to bus travel.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 29.7 - Ptarmigan Point

The lake goes by several names locally, but is called Shallow Lake on government maps. The point is a great location to let photographers off and do a train run-by.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 34 - 34 Flats

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 34

Baldwin 73 southbound on July 1, 2006. Meeting 73 was a huge bonus on our afternoon walk that day - a handy granite outcropping provided this higher viewpoint.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 36.5 - Beaver Lake

WP&YR steam train to Bennett MP 40.6 - Bennett

A major renovation of the station and cleanup of the property last year has done wonders for the area.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Bennett

Conductor John McDermott talking to some of the younger passengers from the train.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Bennett

A general view of the townsite, looking south. The WP&YR station is to the left, the historic church can be seen among the trees on the hill at right centre.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Bennett

A Parks Canada guide led passengers on a tour of the old townsite, explaining what signs were used to create a map showing how Bennett was laid out, and where certain buildings were located.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Bennett

The historic Bennett church, the only building remaining from Bennett's heyday during the Klondike Gold Rush.

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Bennett

A bonus - I hadn't expected to get any shots of the locomotive under power at Bennett. Hey, what time are we supposed to be on board???

WP&YR steam train to Bennett Bennett

WAIT FOR ME!!!!!


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