Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – a designation shared with the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.
This is an amazing place to visit because in a very short period of time you will climb thousands of feet with amazing views. In fact, you will find that in the 20-mile ride you will climb up to 3000 feet and then you will be subjected to turns that are on cliffs, up to 3.9 percent grades, tunnels, bridges, and more. It is a hair-raising ride and an experience of a lifetime. Because of that it is perfect for the entire family. There is even a steel cantilever bridge that was once the tallest in the world, so it has some great history too.
The ride is not the only thing that will entertain you. The view is quite amazing as well. You will see gorges, mountains, tunnels, waterfalls, glaciers, and even historic sites as you ride along. The train coaches are vintage and make the ride even more enjoyable and historical. While you are riding along and enjoying the sites it is interesting to keep in mind that more than 450 tons of explosives were required to create the White Pass Yukon Route in addition to tens of thousands of workers. That is pretty amazing and knowing that will allow you to appreciate the ride even more.
The tour takes about three hours and the train is pulled by diesel locomotives. The passenger coaches have been restored and are quite comfortable not to mention they accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. Proof of citizenship is not required and identification will not be necessary to take the tour since nobody will actually get off at the summit. The round trip is approximately 40 miles and everyone receives a complimentary bottle of water.
