Chasing in style! With the White Pass Rotary Fleet stopped right squarely across the Klondike Highway crossing behind me, our photo chase train creeps slowly into Log Cabin to pick us up and take us to the rotary finale at Bennett. Folks who have been to the White Pass & Yukon are probably familiar with the fact that this line is tough to chase. Yes, there are a few stretches that can be seen from the Klondike Highway, but they are darn few in number. To get photos of trains on this railroad, you need to chase with a train. For each of the 4 days of the 2011 Rotary Run, the White Pass & Yukon provided us with a 5-car chase train, powered by 2 of the iconic 90-class diesel locomotives. Each day, both the locomotives and the consist were different pieces, and everything was immaculately clean. The locomotives had recently been completely rebuilt and repainted, so as diesels go, they were pretty photogenic. We were allowed to ride the platforms and with 5 cars and only 17 photographers, there was plenty of room to spread out. The railroad also provided several White Pass historians to accompany us, answering our many questions and providing expert commentary on everything from operations to the awesome scenery. Of course, food was also provided. During lengthy plowing operations at White Pass, the train provided a handy place to sit down, relax and have some refreshments. Having seen all of my photos of the Rotary Fleet, and now the chase train, one might be inclined to believe that this little "charter" had an eye-watering price tag, but such was not the case. The railroad financed the entire rotary operation as a training exercise. All we paid for was the train you see here.
Of note for the 90-Class fans is the famous "Thunderbird" painting that you see on the nose of each of these locomotives. While I didn't have the time to compare them, I am told by the White Pass mechanical staff that while they all look alike from a distance, each one is actually unique.
