White Pass & Yukon Route No. 73 is a 2-8-2 "Mikado" type narrow gauge steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA in May 1947 (serial number 73352) for the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&Y) in Skagway, AK. It's most notable for being the last steam locomotive purchased by the WP&Y, and one of, if not, the last narrow gauge steam locomotive ever built.
The locomotive was designed to work for the WP&Y, which ran from Skagway, AK, to the Yukon Territory in Canada. It was retired from service on June 30, 1964. In 1968, it was moved to Bennett, British Columbia in Canada for display. In 1979, it was moved again, but this time to Whitehorse, Yukon to be restored to operating condition for tourist excursion service.
As of today, the locomotive is operational once again and is most commonly used on the "Fraser Meadows" Steam Excursion, which takes place twice every week.
Specifications[]
Wheel Arrangement: 2-8-2 Mikado
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
Date Built: May 1947
Model: 12- 28 1/4 E
Serial Number: 73352
Track Gauge: 3 foot narrow gauge
Driver Diameter: 44"
Height: 12" 7'
Locomotive Weight: 145,000 lbs. (248,400 lbs with tender)
Fuel Type: Oil
Fuel Capacity: 2,500 gallons
Water Capacity: 5,000 gallons
Boiler Pressure: 205 psi
Cylinder Size: 17" x 22"
Tractive Effort: 25,200 lbs.
Retired from Revenue Service: June 30, 1964
Restored: 1982
Trivia[]
- After retirement in 1964, the locomotive was moved to Bennett, British Columbia, in 1968 for display.
- The Restoration was completed in 1982, and the locomotive has been back in service since then.
- No. 73 is currently the larger of two operating steam locomotives on the line.
- In 2017, #73 went down for her Federally Mandated FRA 1,472 Inspection.The engine was sent to Seattle Washington, where she was worked on for 2 years until July 2019, when she returned to Skagway, and once again became part of the WP&YR's active fleet.
- It is currently the larger of two operating steam locomotives on the White Pass & Yukon line.
- The locomotive was one of four 70 class steam engine that became White Pass favorites.