All Aboard, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. Part 2

One thing I know,

is that I'm glad

we weren't crossing this bridge.

"The White Pass & Yukon Route was 

designated an International  Historic

Civil Engineering Landmark in 1994.

This is an honor shared 

with other world civil engineering marvels 

such as the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty

 and the Panama Canal.

The WP&YR is recognized 

for the many difficult and hazardous

 obstacles that construction overcame: 

design challenges, granite mountains, 

steep grades, cliff hanging turns

 and unimaginable weather conditions.

  The courage and brave acts 

 of the workers under the leadership of dedicated builders 

are recognized by this prestigious designation."

From the All Aboard!

 Complimentary Onboard magazine.

It seems like it should have been

 an impossible task.

Crossing the border into Canada.

We've reached White Pass Summit. 

2,865ft.

We're switching the engines to the 

back of the train, which will now become

the front on the way back down the canyon.

The passengers are asked to switch sides

and change their seat backs in order 

to face the front of the train on the way

back down.

The seat backs swivel  from front to back.

Time to take photos from the now 

back of the train with an unobstructed view. 

At this point we were waiting for another

train to pass. 

So I had plenty of time to lean

over the rail to take photos.

There's not a lot of room 

between the mountain and the train.

Crossing the border,

and we're now back in Alaska.

The White Pass Trail of 98.

Gold prospectors used one of two trails

to get up to the Klondike gold fields.

This trail was used by the prospectors

who could afford  pack horses.

It was also known as Dead Horse Trail,

during the winter of 1897-98.

These photos don't even come 

close to showing just how steep the 

mountainside was or how very narrow

that trail is.

Inside one of the tunnels we went through.

Sorry it's blurry.

Looking forward at our train

as it takes a curve.

We were on the lookout for mountain goats,

and Dahl sheep on the mountainsides.

I did see a marmot along the way,

but didn't have the chance to take a photo.

Just about back into Skagway.

A rusty engine relic laying on it's side.

One of the trains derailed the day after 

we were there.

There were a few minor injuries.

Click here for that news story.