One week down!

 I am officially in my second week here at the WP&YR. This has definitely been one of the most interesting periods of my life to date. There is so much about this job that is oddly familiar to me. While at the same time drastically different. Starting with these new "30 Class" Locomotives. Designed for use in Australia these locomotives are totally unique compared to anything else I have ever worked with. In terms of Narrow Gauge Railroading they are the most modern narrow gauge locomotives currently operating in the United States, and Canada. While a little odd looking, and not exactly "Brakeman Friendly" (I miss my geeps) These are extremely impressive locomotives. They take the grades that the White Pass has like absolute champions. 

 Skagway, Alaska.

The White Pass and Yukon Route is one of the most awe inspiring trips a person can take in the world.

The grade alone, coupled up with the amazing scenery is one thing. However the massive contrast of the scenery and even the weather is astonishing as you make your way up the mountain. 

Fraser, British Columbia.

Both of the above photos were taken, on the same train, same day, on the same railroad just 20 miles apart! 

There is no Railroad on the planet quite like the White Pass. It isn't a museum, nor a theme park. It's not a recreation of the past either. As Musician/Skagway Local/ Former WP&YR Conductor Steve Hites said in an interview with the BBC: "This is the real deal, it's no candy coated dance hall dream!" 

White Pass is a real living breathing narrow gauge railroad in the 21st Century, the last railroad of it's kind. A living Dinosaur roaring over the ice and snow of Canada, 

and flying through the trees of Skagway Alaska.

A familiar face.

 Sitting over by the Skagway town hall is an old worn out steam engine. This locomotive served on the White Pass and Yukon Route from 1943 until the 60s. While I have never been to Alaska before when I walked over to the town hall I saw a familiar face. 

"December 7th 1941, a date which will live in infamy"

The Empire of Japan performed an unprovoked surprise attack on the United States Naval Base in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. Other attacks on other U.S.N. bases around the pacific soon followed. The U.S. Territory of Alaska was very much at risk as well as the United States citizens who lived there. 

The decision was made, that a highway should be built to connect Alaska with the interior of the United States, passing through the heartland of Canada on the way. Should the Empire of Japan decide to invade Alaska. This would be the last line of defense for the two allies on this side of the globe. 

The Alcan Military Highway, would become one of several massive government projects happening simultaneously throughout WWII. The only problem with building a highway where no road even existed before was the question of how to get personnel and material from the ports along the coasts into the interior. The answer came from a small narrow gauge railroad out of Skagway Alaska. 

The United States Army took over the WP&YR Railroad and quickly deployed the 770th Railway operating battalion from the United States Army Transportation Corps. 

When the Transportation Corps arrived in Skagway they found a tired little railroad with tired, and worn out little engines.

The Army began buying up narrow gauge steam locomotives from all over the United States. 

The Sumpter Valley Railway, Denver and Rio Grande Western, and the ET&WNC RR. All sent locomotives, and other equipment to help with the war effort in Alaska. However the round the clock trains that the Army needed required more motive power. The USATC ordered ten brand new meter gauge class S-118 steam locomotives to be modified to run on three foot gauge track, and prepared to be sent to Alaska. These locomotives would be called "The 190 Class" 

The United States Army Transportation Corps classified their engines by weight. 

The smallest locomotives ordered by the USATC were the S-100 tank engines. So called because they possessed super heated boilers, and weight just over 100 tons with fully loaded tanks, and coal bunker. 

Likewise the S-118s were Superheated locomotives, weighing at around 118 tons. These locomotives had a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. 2 pilot wheels to navigate sharp turns, 8 large drive wheels propelling the locomotive, and 2 trailing truck wheels holding the weight of the firebox. 

At any other time in US history these locomotives would have been called Mikados. However with Mikado being a Japanese word for "Emperor" this was not exactly a politically correct name for a locomotive type built to fight the Japanese. So these 2-8-2s were named "MacArthur" type steam locomotives. 

After nine months of construction, the impossible highway proved to be possible, and the ALCAN Military Highway was finished. After the war WP&YR held on to a few of the US Army steam locomotives. 190, 192, 193, 195, and 196. 

One by one each of the 190s were retired, 193 and 196 were buried in the Skagway river to serve as levies. However 190 and 192 both went down to the lower 48, as they were purchased by a North Carolina businessman who had dreams of bringing tourists to the southern Appalachian Mountains. 

WP&YR 190 "The Yukon Queen" would find herself working at Tweetsie Railroad theme park in Blowing Rock, NC. 

WP&YR #192 "KLONDIKE KATY" AS SHE WOULD HAVE LOOKED WHEN I RODE IN HER CAB IN 2004

192 "Klondike Katy" would go on to pull the world famous "Dollywood Express" 

at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Growing up I rode behind both of these locomotives 192 will always hold a special place in my heart as she was the very first steam locomotive I ever got to ride in the cab of in 2004. 

So it is only fitting that three thousand miles from home, I find some comfort in a somewhat "familiar face."

I have made it to Skagway!

So to catch everyone up as to what is happening with the adventure in Skagway. I managed to escape the hot slice of crazy that is Seattle. We took off early in the evening Saturday flying first to Ketchikan and then to Juneau. The flight over British Columbia was absolutely gorgeous.(as a side note, I absolutely LOVE Alaska Airlines.) However the real adventure was the landing and Take off from Ketchikan Alaska, They managed to land a 737 practically on a postage stamp of a little island just off the coast of Ketchikan. The "Airport terminal" was just a little two story concrete building with orcas, and eagles carved into the sides.

Here is a Video of the take off from Ketchikan

Of course with a backing track by Zach Bryan because what else would fit this adventure more than some Zach Bryan! 

We arrived in Juneau a little after 9 in the evening. I don't really have much to say about Juneau, I didn't see much of it. A quick walk to get some dinner, bed, and Sunday morning we boarded the MV Hubbard for the final leg of our journey to Skagway. 

MV Hubbard at the Juneau docks 

Once on board the Hubbard we got an announcement from the captain that there was a slight possibility that we might not make it to Skagway due to high winds in the area. So there was our big drama for the day, the question looming over our heads. "Will we make it to Skagway?" 

On board the Hubbard was a small group of folks heading to Skagway, I made friends with two of them as we began our sail north. One was a cook from Virginia who wanted to get out of his small town for a few months, the other was the eagle trainer for Auburn University! Plenty of other people from all corners of the country, and all walks of life on the same Boat. 

At about the halfway mark I stopped trying to get pictures of everything on the ferry ride. One thing we all got plenty of pictures of was this small lighthouse, sitting all alone on it's little island. 

As we sailed northward, getting cell service from small coastal towns along the way, the question still remained "Will we make it to Skagway?" Another ferry and a whole cruise ship had both cancelled their stops in Skagway due to wind. We started to make quick arrangements in Haines AK should we have to turn back.

Finally after a 6 hour journey from Juneau we turned around the point, and got our first glimpse of our destination: Skagway Alaska. We could not have asked for better weather to greet us as we sailed into port! The wind had died down, and we began to dock next to the mammoth cruise ships all around us. 

The Hubbard's arrival in Skagway. 

WE MADE IT! 

That will be all for this update, stay tuned for more as we begin work 

on the White Pass, and Yukon Route. As well as Explore Skagway! 

Alaska Adventure: Day #1

Well for inquiring minds who would like to know how the first day of my Alaska Adventure went. 

I left Boone, NC at about 6:00 in the morning, I didn't sleep at all that night, I was too busy packing and tying up lose ends. Even if I wasn't hard at work I would have been way too "wound up" to be able to get any real sleep. I enjoyed watching some B movies with my roommate, finished off the last of my gallon of tea I had made. Packed the car and made my way to Newland NC to meet my folks and say my last goodbyes to My Grandma, My mountains, and My Dog Blaze. 

Here is where I had stopped along the way to Newland for Boone, to say goodbye to "The Old Man" AKA Grandfather Mountain. This is the last time I will get to see him wrapped in his green robes still thoughtfully looking towards the sky. When I return he will probably change into his autumn red, yellow, and orange tunic. 

Stop #1: Charleston SC. 

So fun fact: the cheapest flights to Alaska leave from the Charleston SC airport. Given the fact that Charleston is my mother's favorite city on the planet, I did not need to use much arm twisting to get her to run me down there. 

Of course once we had arrived in Charleston at about 13:00 (1:00 pm) the first thought on our mind was food. My only request is that we had lunch by the ocean, because me being the poetic minded fellow that I am. 

I wanted to see both oceans in one day. 

Lunch at the Saltwater Cowboy Mt Pleasant, SC.

We had lunch at this absolutely fantastic restaurant at Mt Pleasant called "Saltwater Cowboys".

The menu had a mix of fresh caught seafood, and southern style BBQ. Being that I will probably have more than my fill of seafood in Skagway 

I opted for a pulled pork plate, 

with collard greens, and Mac n Cheese. 

After a very tasty lunch we drove to Fort Moultrie at Sullivan's Island to see the Atlantic Ocean before beginning the 3rd leg of my adventure.

Stop #2: Charleston Airport

At Charleston International Airport, we had the typical crying, hugging, and carrying on that happens during such occasions as this. After I said goodbye to Momma and Daddy walked me through the bag checking area. I was all on my own to Seattle.

As a side note: I cannot say enough good things about the flight crew that would do them justice, the crew on flight 486 from Charleston to Seatac was the friendliest bunch of folks I have ever met! I was extremely nervous being that this was my first time ever flying on an airplane. The ride was smooth as butter, and I found I even kind of liked the turbulence. Somehow those shaky bits helped me to take a few power naps as we made our way over the U.S.A. 

Ticket in hand

My Chariot awaits. 

We chased the sun all the way from sea to shining sea. 

I arrived in Seattle at about 21:30 (9:30pm), After my first three hours in Seattle I have made the decision that this is two trips to Seattle in one, my first and my last. At least in regards to the absolute mess that is the Seatac Airport. 

Finally after being checked into the hotel, and a decent dinner at the "Silver Dollar Casino". Day one of my Alaska Adventure has come to a close. Tomorrow starts the Journey from Seattle to Juneau, then the final leg of my journey to Skagway Alaska. 

 

One week until I leave for Alaska!

 

One week from today I will begin my journey from Boone, NC to Skagway Alaska.

I am so excited for this new exciting adventure to see a new place on the other side of the continent. 

I will also have the exciting opportunity to work with some of the most modern Narrow Gauge rail equipment in the World.

Skagway has been on my bucket list for years, now not only will I have the opportunity to visit but also live and work there!

Yesterday was my last day on the ET&WNC for the summer. It was a fun day that mostly involved running two trains up the line. I also got to see some of the coming progress being made on the new Christmas Train Loop. So many new and exciting things happening all at once it is overwhelming to think how much everything can change in such a short amount of time! By the time I return there should be more fun adventures to be had on the ET&WNC Railroad. However now we are Headed North! Next stop: Skagway Alaska! 

The "End of the line" (So far) on the new Christmas Train Project at Doe River Gorge

A Cut Above! This long cut will be on the approach headed towards the new train Depot! 

Speaking of a new train Depot, HERE IT IS! Being built as we speak. The track will be in the foreground of the photo. This is where families will board the train for their exciting journey to learn the true meaning of Christmas! 

Home.

 As I prepare for another adventure, I am plagued with the thought of "leaving home". 

I was born and raised in a small hollar just outside of Newland, NC. For me when I think of home, I think of long walks through the woods with my dogs. I think of the creek I played in growing up, I think of The Rhodadendron blooming in the summer. The smell of the honeysuckle, and the poplar magnolias in the wind. I hear the sounds of the creek, the wind, and the birds joining together in symphony no orcestra in the world could replicate.

I think of my dreams from when I was little, how those same dreams have stuck with me for my entire life. How they have changed over time but more or less stayed the same. Now I am living part of those dreams, as matter of fact I have gotten to do more than I had ever originally thought possible. One dream, and goal is still left unfulfilled. 

Starting around 7th grade, I began to think seriously about what kind of future I wanted to build for myself. What would be my "end goal" in life. I then began to plan what that would be. More than anything I wanted a house on the family land. Nothing extravagant. I am rather drawn to the concept of a tiny house. Something smaller, relatively easy to maintain, and something that would leave plenty of space for the "outdoor living" that I wanted to build my whole life around. 

I then became very interested in the idea of Homesteading, which is a natural progression for me. Growing up we raised a garden, grew our own potatoes, cabbage, beans, tomatos, squash, etc. I hated spending summer afternoons in the garden in the heat. Now there is nothing in the world I could possibly want more. Being able to go "grocery shopping" in my basement with a potato, jar of beans, and a cake of cornbread always well within reach. 

My idea of home is a place where I can be free, and not have to worry about demands from customers, or bosses. A place where I can find peace with myself and my God. 

A place I once knew, and a place I would love to find again.