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The White Pass & Yukon Railroad #70 is one of 4 "70 Class" 2-8-2 Mikados built for the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. She currently resides at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

History[]

70 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in May 1938 (builder's number 62234) for the White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Skagway, Alaska. It was the first of 4 70 Class Locomotives that were constructed for the WP&YR between 1938 and 1947, designed to handle the rugged, mountainous terrain the railroad winded through. The locomotive would prove successful, and in 1939, a second locomotive of the same class, #71 would be ordered in 1939.

The 70 had a somewhat checkered career, having been involved in 4 major derailments over the course of her career. 3 of those derailments involved the locomotive tipping over on its side. During World War 2, 70 and 71 assisted the US Army in the construction of the ALCAN Highway. After the War, both locomotives received the tenders from the WP&YR's 190 Class (USATC S118). 70 and 71 would continue service on the White Pass until 1963, when they would both be retired from the active roster. Both locomotives would end up in storage at the Skagway boneyard, where they would sit for the next 14 years.

In 1977, the White Pass made the decision to sell off 70 and 71, alongside the rest of the steam equipment remaining in storage. Evidence suggests that the locomotives were initially going to be sold to Robert L. Johnson, owner of Whistles in the Woods Museum Services, but the sale never went through. Instead, the locomotives would end up in the hands of Silver Dollar City Tennessee theme park in Pigeon Forge. Initially, both locomotives were kept in storage before 70 would be cosmetically restored and placed outside the depot. In 1986, Silver Dollar City Tennessee would become Dollywood, and the decision was made to return the locomotive to operation to supplement locomotive #192. The engine would begin operating at Dollywood in 1987, being given the nickname "Cinderella", and has remained in operation at Dollywood since.

Trivia[]

  • 70 was involved in 4 major accidents during the course of her career, which occurred in 1940, an unspecified year in the late 1940's, 1951, and 1955 respectively. The first and last 2 wrecks caused her to turn over on her side.
  • 70 currently sits on the drivers of deceased classmate #72, which was damaged beyond repair in a roundhouse fire in 1969. 70's original drivers developed cracks in them, making them unfit for service.

Gallery[]

See also[]

White Pass & Yukon Route 70 Class

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