Overland Trail (Yukon)


The Overland Trail was a Klondike Gold Rush-era transportation route between Whitehorse, Yukon and Dawson City in Yukon, Canada. It was built in 1902 at a cost of CDN$129,000 after the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad won a contract to deliver mail to the Dawson City gold fields from the Canadian government. The trail consisted of a -long, wide graded surface with culverts in some locations. Before its construction, transportation to Dawson City required a steamboat trip on the Yukon River during the brief subarctic summer, or dog sleds after the rivers had frozen.
After its construction, horse-drawn stagecoach routes soon were established. Even with this regulated travel, it took five days to travel the distance between the two towns. Sleighs were substituted for coaches once snow began to fall, and passengers were charged CDN$125 for a one-way trip.
The first automobile used the trail in 1912, but soon afterward, declining returns from the gold mines caused the population of Yukon to drop precipitously. In 1921, the White Pass discontinued operating stages on the Overland Trail, and the mail contracts were awarded to other contractors thereafter. In 1922, the mail contractor switched from horse-drawn vehicles to motor vehicles. In 1955, a new automobile highway was built north from Whitehorse to Mayo, with a spur to Dawson City. This highway made the Overland Trail obsolete, and it fell into disrepair. That road itself was replaced by the Klondike Highway. Today, the Overland Trail is primarily a recreation route for sled dog teams, snowmobiles, and other tourism-related activities. Artifacts relating to the Gold Rush-era use of the trail are plentiful along the route, which is used in February as part of the Yukon Quest, a 1,000-mile sled dog race between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, Alaska.

White Pass & Yukon Route Overland Trail Equipment, 1901-1921

1909-Ser. Road No.TypeBuilderYear BuiltRemarks-
31Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
One of ##31, 32, 34, 37-41 and 44 was sold in 1924, leaving eight. One was sold in 1925, leaving seven. One was scrapped in 1929, leaving six. One lost its running gear in Laberge Lake in 1930, leaving five. Two were sold in 1931, leaving three. One was sold in 1932, leaving two. One was sold in 1934, leaving one. The remaining one of ##31, 32, 34, 37-41 and 44 was written off in 1950.		-
32Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
33 Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
Originally, #3. Officially renumbered to 23 in 1905. Officially renumbered to 33 about 1909. Nevertheless, physically retained #3, possibly because it may have been taken out of service by 1905. Written off in 1950. Wheels substituted for bobs by 1973. The body was transferred to the in 1990. Re-equipped with newly made bobs between 1992 & 2013.		-
34Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 9 Psgrs. & ½ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
35Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 9 Psgrs. & ½ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
36 Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
Originally, #6. Renumbered to 26 in 1905. Officially renumbered to 36 about 1909. Nevertheless, physically retained #26, possibly because it may have been taken out of service by 1909. Written off in 1950. Body without bobs sold to George Larson in 1962. Re-sold to Henry Tjoelker of Everson, Washington in 2001. Re-equipped with bobs from its era in 2001 or 2002. Last reported in 2006 to be with Mr. Tjoelker.		-
37 Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
Originally, #7. Officially renumbered to 27 in 1905. Officially renumbered to 37 about 1909. Nevertheless, physically retained #7, possibly because it may have been taken out of service by 1905. Written off in 1950. Put on display at Yukon Historical Society Museum in 1952. Museum renamed in 1967.		-
38Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190275 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
39Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190275 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
40Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190275 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
41Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190275 in. bobs. Cap’y = 14 Psgrs. & ¾ ton of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #31, above. The body of #41 was at Yukon Crossing in 1963, without its running gear and without its center seats. The year in which #41 left the roster is not known.		-
42Passenger SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: Abbot-Downing Co. 		190566 in. bobs. Cap’y = 5 Psgrs. & 0.35 ton of freight. Body appears to have been the original body of Wagon #1 or 2.
One of ##42 and 43 was sold in 1906, and the remaining one was written off in 1950.		-
43Passenger SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: Abbot-Downing Co. 		190566 in. bobs. Cap’y = 5 Psgrs. & 0.35 ton of freight. Body appears to have been the original body of Wagon #1 or 2.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #42, above.		-
44Passenger SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190375 in. bobs. Cap’y = 9 Psgrs. & ½ ton of freight.
May have been constructed from three sleighs not listed, which had existed in 1903. Two of the three were retired in 1904, and the other was retired in January 1905. For disposition of #44, see, Remarks for #31, above.		-
45Double CutterWilliam J. Mable 1903120 in. runners. Cap’y = 1 Psgr. For use by superintendent, assistant superintendent, or blacksmith.
One of ##45-48 was sold in 1917, and the remaining three were written off in 1950.		-
46Double CutterMission 1903108 in. runners. Cap’y = 1 Psgr. For use by superintendent, assistant superintendent, or blacksmith.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #45, above.		-
47Double CutterOttawa Carriage Co. 1903108 in. runners. Cap’y = 1 Psgr. For use by superintendent, assistant superintendent, or blacksmith.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #45, above.		-
48Single CutterWP&YR1905102 in. runners. Cap’y = 1 Psgr.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #45, above.		-
49Light Bob SleighMcLaughlin Carriage Co. 190530 in. bobs. Cap’y = 3 Psgrs. & ¼ ton of freight.
Written off in 1950.		-
–––––-
51Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
Four of ##51, 53-55, and 57-62 were sold in 1909, leaving six. Two were sold in 1917, leaving four. One was sold in 1921, leaving three. One was sold in 1922, leaving two. One was sold in 1925, leaving one. The remaining one of ##51, 53-55, and 57-62 was sold in 1926.		-
52Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet ;
Body: WP&YR		190376 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
One of ##52, 56, 73, 74, and 84 was sold in 1919, leaving four. One was sold in 1921, leaving three. Two were sold in 1926, leaving one. The remaining one of ##52, 56, 73, 74, and 84 was sold by 1937.		-
53Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
54Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
55Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
56Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet ;
Body: WP&YR		190376 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #52, above.		-
57Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
58Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
59Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
60Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
61Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
62Freight SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190175 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #51, above.		-
63Logging SleighB.F.&H.L. Sweet 190576 in. bobs.
Sold in 1923.		-
64Logging SleighB.F.&H.L. Sweet 190576 in. bobs.
Sold in 1923.		-
65Perishable SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190775 in. bobs.
One ##65 and 66 was destroyed by a flood at Carmacks in 1918, and the remaining one was sold in 1923.		-
66Perishable SleighGear: Weber Wagon Co. ;
Body: WP&YR		190775 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #65, above.		-
67Perishable SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		190878 in. bobs.
One of ##67-69 was sold in 1926, leaving two. One more was sold by 1937, leaving one. The remaining of ##67-69 one was written off in 1950.		-
68Perishable SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		190878 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #67, above.		-
69Perishable SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		190878 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #67, above.		-
–––––-
71Freight SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		190978 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
One ##71, 72, 82, 83, and 85 was sold in 1922, leaving four. One was sold in 1924, leaving three. The remaining three of ##71, 72, 82, 83, and 85 were sold in 1926.		-
72Freight SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		190978 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #71, above.		-
73Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet ;
Body: WP&YR		190976 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #52, above.		-
74Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet ;
Body: WP&YR		190976 in. bobs. Cap’y = 2 Psgrs. & 5 tons of freight.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #52, above.		-
75Dalton SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. 191066 in. bobs.
Written off in 1950.		-
76Heavy Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet 191176 in. bobs. For use on Caterpillar® train.
Four of ##76-80 were sold in 1926, and the remaining one was sold in 1929.		-
77Heavy Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet 191176 in. bobs. For use on Caterpillar® train.
For disposition, see, Remarks #76, above.		-
78Heavy Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet 191176 in. bobs. For use on Caterpillar® train.
For disposition, see, Remarks #76, above.		-
79Heavy Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet 191176 in. bobs. For use on Caterpillar® train.
For disposition, see, Remarks #76, above.		-
80Heavy Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet 191176 in. bobs. For use on Caterpillar® train.
For disposition, see, Remarks #76, above.
81Caboose Sleigh1912Bobs. For use on Caterpillar® train.
Sold in 1923.		-
82Freight SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		191578 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #71, above.		-
83Freight SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		191578 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #71, above.		-
84Freight SleighGear: B.F.&H.L. Sweet ;
Body: WP&YR		191576 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #52, above.		-
85Freight SleighGear: Studebaker Bros. ;
Body: WP&YR		191778 in. bobs.
For disposition, see, Remarks for #71, above.		-
86Logging SleighB.F.&H.L. Sweet 191776 in. bobs.
Sold in 1923.		-

Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co. made Sensible™ bobs. B. F. & H. L. Sweet made Common Sense™ bobs. Weber Wagon Co. made Good Sense™ bobs. Weber sold out to International Harvester Co. in 1904.
Fiscal Year, July 1 to June 30No. at Beginning of Fiscal Year No. Purchased during Fiscal YearMaximum No. during Trail Season No. Sold during Fiscal YearDied during Fiscal YearNo. at End of Fiscal Year
1901-19020155155031124
1902-190312455172844748
1903-1904481681937425117
1904-1905117891776912123
1905-190612360 164559120
1906-19071201011922914178
1907-1908178561993914181
1908-190918143205515168
1909-191016862217278195
1910-19111959116214823115
1911-1912115701645016119
1912-191311975162752594
1913-1914941141673018160
1914-1915160401542940131
1915-1916131901812238161
1916-1917161421681328162
1917-19181624141443119
1918-191911920122241699
1919-1920992211774344
1920-1921440444310

TypeYear AcquiredRemarks
Winton 1909 Model 17 Touring Car191048 hp. Maximum speed ≈ 12 mph.
Written off in 1950.
Holt 45 Caterpillar® Tractor1911Holt serial #1175. 45 hp. Holt M-1 engine. Maximum speed ≈ 4 miles per hour.
In service in 1941. Unserviceable in 1942. Still existed in 1950. Gone by 1965.
Crawler Tractor1911Built in United Kingdom. Intended for passenger service. Maximum speed ≈ 7½ miles per hour.
Unusable. Wheels frequently came off tracks. Returned to manufacturer in 1912.
Knox 1912 Model G 2-Ton Stake Truck191245 hp.
Written off in 1950.
Knox Automobile1913Sold in 1923.
Ford 1912 Model T Torpedo Runabout191722 hp.
Written off in 1950.

For the roster of White Pass boats, see, List of steamboats on the Yukon River.
For the roster of White Pass railroad equipment, see, List of White Pass and Yukon Route locomotives and cars.