All Aboard Steam Train/White Pass Scenic Railway???

[plutojudy]

Does anyone know what the difference is between these two? Is one more scenic than the other, etc?

 

[NancyIL]

There's only one set of tracks, so the difference is the type of engine used and the distance traveled. The White Pass Summit Excursion is a roundtrip to the summit and back to Skagway. According to the railroad's web site (http://www.wpyr.com/excursions.html) - the Steam Excursion goes 6 miles further to Fraser Meadows before returning to Skagway.

My preference was to do a rail/bus excursion to the Yukon with Chilkoot Charters: http://chilkootcharters.com/

 

[matsterrocks]

I looked at this tour as well but then was disappointed to see it dosn't start till the week after we are there. It only runs on certian days of the week and you need to bring your passport for this one.

 

[NancyIL]

I looked at this tour as well but then was disappointed to see it dosn't start till the week after we are there. It only runs on certian days of the week and you need to bring your passport for this one.

If you're flying to or from Vancouver, you'll need a passport.

 

[NWmom]

For the Disney Port Adventures,

Steam goes farther.

Both are roundtrip.

Probably because of engines and their ability to reposition them.

You only need a passport if you fly in.

If you arrive by land or sea, you can use a passport card

or

State enhanced License or Enhanced ID Card (only a few border states have this option, but it does exist so some may be considering that)

All the helicopters out of Juneau stay in the US for dog sleds. I called to verify. Same with the teen glacier hike excursion.

NW

 

[mellers]

Does anyone know what the difference is between these two? Is one more scenic than the other, etc?

There are two differences:

1. The All Aboard Steam Train has a steam engine, and the other trip has an electric engine.

2. The All Aboard Steam Train goes about 6 miles further down the tracks

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi All,

Funny you should ask as I was just on the phone earlier today with a lovely lady who works for the WPYR and she gave me the scoop...

The Steam Train would be about as close as you would be able to get to traveling the Yukon trail EXACTLY as the Sourdoughs did during the Alaskan Gold Rush in 1898 (when they started construction on the railroad, construction was completed in 1900).

Another thing to consider is that the Steam Train only runs on Fridays and only has one departure time - 12:00 PM. The Disney Excursion is an exclusive experience as you will be in separate cars that were chartered by DCL just for their passengers. So, if part of your party books directly with the railroad and part of your party books through DCL there will not only be a difference in the price paid for the excursion but you will also ride in different cars. Oh, and if you want to ride with certain folks or want your group or family to all be in the same car you need to arrive together.

The Diesel Train runs twice per day, 8:15 AM and 12:45 PM. I does indeed run on the same track as the steam engine so the sights from the car will be very similar. That said, if you choose the non-steam train option, and if you choose to take the earlier departure, you might have time to do more or see more while you are in the port.

And, if you ask at the train depot they can tell you where you can see the Steam Train from the road to get pictures.

My DH and I are currently planning to book the earliest of the train excursions (even though he would love to ride the steam engine) because we want to leave time to rent a car and drive the pass as well. It will cost about the same amount for us to rent the car and ride the train as it would to book just the steam train alone.

if you call the WPYR directly, there might be some direct bookings available for the Steam Train (at $155/Adult $77/Child) but I can tell you that for the time we will be there they have no direct booking tickets available.

Apparently DCL has reserved them all On the down side, booking through DCL will cost more than booking straight through the line would, on the up side, you do get a nice momento of your trip and since we won't be the only cruise ship in town that day, what with the seats on this train being so limited, there is a good chance that if DCL hadn't reserved seats to make the excursion available for its passengers then the DCL passengers might not be able to get seats at all.

No matter which train you choose to ride upon, I am quite confident that having the chance to ride this line would fall squarely under the "Once In A Lifetime Adventure" category.

I hope that helps. Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

 

[go time hawaii]

We booked the white pass train and bike tour. We ride the train to fraser station then a van ride to the summit, we then bicycle downhill, 15 miles with stops along the way (Lord, bless the brakes please). This departs at 7:45am and takes 4.5 hrs $179/pp. My travel agent said we would be back to the ship, stuff our faces then be picked up for the mammoth waterfall and zipline. Info says we drive thru Dyea, up in 4x4's and complete 12 different ziplines, and 4 adventure sky bridges (good grief, I must've thought I was closer to 5 yrs old than 50 when I booked it ). Prayfully, we won't be 1 short on the cruise leaving Skagway

Any suggestions for Ketchikan?

 

[plutojudy]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Yensidfan]

Hi All,

Funny you should ask as I was just on the phone earlier today with a lovely lady who works for the WPYR and she gave me the scoop...

The Steam Train would be about as close as you would be able to get to traveling the Yukon trail EXACTLY as the Sourdoughs did during the Alaskan Gold Rush in 1898 (when they started construction on the railroad, construction was completed in 1900).

Another thing to consider is that the Steam Train only runs on Fridays and only has one departure time - 12:00 PM. The Disney Excursion is an exclusive experience as you will be in separate cars that were chartered by DCL just for their passengers. So, if part of your party books directly with the railroad and part of your party books through DCL there will not only be a difference in the price paid for the excursion but you will also ride in different cars. Oh, and if you want to ride with certain folks or want your group or family to all be in the same car you need to arrive together.

The Diesel Train runs twice per day, 8:15 AM and 12:45 PM. I does indeed run on the same track as the steam engine so the sights from the car will be very similar. That said, if you choose the non-steam train option, and if you choose to take the earlier departure, you might have time to do more or see more while you are in the port.

And, if you ask at the train depot they can tell you where you can see the Steam Train from the road to get pictures.

My DH and I are currently planning to book the earliest of the train excursions (even though he would love to ride the steam engine) because we want to leave time to rent a car and drive the pass as well. It will cost about the same amount for us to rent the car and ride the train as it would to book just the steam train alone.

if you call the WPYR directly, there might be some direct bookings available for the Steam Train (at $155/Adult $77/Child) but I can tell you that for the time we will be there they have no direct booking tickets available.

Apparently DCL has reserved them all On the down side, booking through DCL will cost more than booking straight through the line would, on the up side, you do get a nice momento of your trip and since we won't be the only cruise ship in town that day, what with the seats on this train being so limited, there is a good chance that if DCL hadn't reserved seats to make the excursion available for its passengers then the DCL passengers might not be able to get seats at all.

No matter which train you choose to ride upon, I am quite confident that having the chance to ride this line would fall squarely under the "Once In A Lifetime Adventure" category.

I hope that helps. Take care all, help lots of people and have a "Wonder"ful day!

Tisza

Thanks for the information.

Do you know what side of the train is the best for views out the window (going up)? I thought someone mentioned it earlier but can't find that info.

 

[joyride27]

im looking at doing this in july. I just dont know what one to do yet.

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the information.

Do you know what side of the train is the best for views out the window (going up)? I thought someone mentioned it earlier but can't find that info.

Going up - you want to sit on the left side. On the return, the seats reverse and I think you change sides.

 

[ppiew]

we took the train up from Skagway and a bus down (quicker) then we stopped to pan for gold. Great! the train ride is quite long and the steam train, though authentic is definitely looonnger than the diesel!!