Press Release
September
27,
2004
White Pass & Yukon Route
Makes History with a Record 2004 Year
SKAGWAY,
AK – The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
(WP&YR) proudly announced today it has ended the 2004
season with a new annual ridership record of 404,722 revenue passengers -- breaking last year’s record
of 348,559.
Gary Danielson, President of the WP&YR stated that, “This
historic accomplishment is testament to the team at White
Pass and their desire to ‘exceed the expectations’. Doing
more while still ensuring safety, service and efficiency
wasn’t without its challenges – we worked hard
to earn that record!”
The investment in eight new coaches for the 2004 season
provided the additional capacity to meet demand. Engine
96, a 90 class GE diesel locomotive, was returned to service
after three decades of being cannibalized for parts. Last
year’s daily ridership record was broken 12 times
in 2004.
In May 2005, White Pass expects to take delivery of steam
locomotive No.69, a 1907 Baldwin that was the largest steam
locomotive ever built for the WP&YR. Snapshots
of the 2 year restoration project can be seen on the company’s
website at www.wpyr.com/railfancorner/engine69.html.
Danielson added, “For 2005, we’re expecting
more modest growth because we’re up against capacity
yet again! We’ve got exciting plans for an
enhanced steam program, expanded charter service and development
of Carcross as a destination for 2006.”
The White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge railway was
built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush and is an International
Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – a designation
shared with the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower and the
Statue of Liberty. The WP&YR railroad is Alaska’s
most popular shore excursion.
White Pass & Yukon Route is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Tri-White Corporation based in Toronto, Ontario.
The Tri-White Corporation is
traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange as TWH.
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Contact:
Gary C. Danielson
President
Phone: (907) 983-2214
Fax: (907) 983-2017
gary@whitepass.net |
