Servicing Stop - Glacier Siding. Rotary#1's Fireman stands atop her tender to assist the crew of a White Pass Work Train in rigging the standpipes to water his engine. Anticipating the need for both water, fuel oil and other key supplies at some very remote locations, the WP&YR sent diesel-powered work trains ahead of and behind the rotary fleet to provide that support. Here at Glacier Siding, a tank car was used to provide water for all three steam engines. Pumps driven by internal combustion engines were used charge the lines that you see being rigged here. It should be noted that although water towers are still in place at a couple of spots on the line, the White Pass Steam Engines carry engine-driven pumps and hoses on their tenders to allow them to take water from the many mountain lakes along the line if the need should arise. Those pumps are very discretely disguised under black canvas covers, so the engines still have their historic look when they are underway.
A tribute of appreciation to the workers who maintain the track, keeping our railways in shape regardless of weather and danger, and keeping them running effeciently.
