The WP & YR Railway
The gold rush in the Yukon late 19th century drew thousands of adventurers in the northern United States and Canada. The rough terrain required the construction of a railroad – a narrow gauge railway with a 914mm gauge. Between 1898 and 1900, the railway line was driven through the mountains under the most difficult conditions, an average of 2,000 workers per day were used.
Taken on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad Steam Engine # 73, between Skagway, Alaska and Fraser, British Columbia. Photo by Robert Kramer/Flickr
The White Pass and Yukon Route with a track width of 914mm is really a route of superlatives and leads from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse the capital of Yukon. The highlight of the WP & YR Railway days is the use of the locomotive 69 which was built in 1908. The total length from Skagway in Alaska over the White Pass in British Columbia (CA) to Whitehorse in Yukon Territory is 110 miles (165 km).
Keith Williams/Flickr
Matthew Wild/Flickr
The WP & YR has experienced a beautiful and rich time. During the Second World War, the railroad served as a “major supplier” for the US Army. Until 1954 steam locomotives were used and were replaced by diesel. 1982 sank the world of metal transport and the White Pass & Yukon Road was closed. In 1988 it was reopened and prepared for excursion trips.
Alan Vernon/Flickr
After the main business collapsed in the 1980s, the WP & YR has since focused on the tourist traffic following the numerous cruise ships in Skagway. From May to September one of the last active narrow gauge railways in North America is really busy, approximately 1.8 million passengers use the trains for leisure and tourism. One hundred and fifty employees take care of the railway during this period. In the winter only 15 employees maintain the track.
Tewkes/Flickr
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- White Pass & Yukon Route Railway — Skagway depot, 231 2nd Avenue, Skagway, Alaska, USA
- Coordinates
- 59.45314, -135.31782
- Access
- The 2026 Summit Excursion season ended October 7. For that specific summit round trip, the operator says no passport is required. Book a dated departure in advance; limited wheelchair-lift capacity must be requested when booking. Dockside cruise-ship boarding arrangements may differ from depot check-in, so follow the instructions on your ticket.
- Admission
- The operator’s 2026 Summit Excursion fare was US$155 adult, US$77.50 ages 3–12, and free ages 0–2. These are 2026 prices only; 2027 fares and tickets were not yet posted in the October 22 cross-check. Check the operator’s booking page for the next season’s price.
- Time needed
- About 2.5–2.75 hours for the 40-mile (64 km) round trip Summit Excursion. This is the train excursion duration, not the time required to explore Skagway or other rail products.
- Best season
- The operator’s 2026 Summit Excursion ran April 30–October 7; it is now out of season. 2027 dates and fares were not posted in the October 22, 2026 schedule review. Check the operator calendar when the next season opens; do not assume dates carry over.
- Opening hours
- No departures are running now: the published 2026 Summit Excursion season ended October 7. The operator lists 2027 reservations as expected to open in early November 2026; the new season’s exact dates and departure times were not yet posted in this check.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-24
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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