White Pass and Yukon Route 70
Preserved narrow gauge 2-8-2 locomotive
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White Pass and Yukon Route 70 is a narrow-gauge 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive, built in 1938 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW). It is preserved and operated by the Dollywood Express (DE) at the Dollywood amusement theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
| White Pass and Yukon Route 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![](#/media/File:Dollywood_Express_No._70_aka_"Cinderella",_August_2007.jpg) No. 70 at the Dollywood Express station, August 12, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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History
No. 70 was built in May 1938 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW) for the White Pass and Yukon Route (WPY).[a] It was the first of the four 70-class locomotives that were constructed for the WPY between 1938 and 1947.[b]
The engine worked hauling both freight and passenger trains until it was later assigned and leased to the United States Army Transportation Corps (USATC) to haul materials for the ALCAN highway and transport soldiers during World War II.[3][1][2][5][6][10] It was originally built as a coal burner, but was later converted to burn oil in the 1950s.[11]
The locomotive returned to the WPY after the war ended and it continued to haul freight and passenger trains until it was retired from revenue service in April 1963; the locomotive would be left on a sidetrack at the Skagway railyard for the next fourteen years.[3][1][12][13][6][9]
In 1977, the WPY decided to sell No. 70 along with No. 71 and both units, along with some spare parts from No. 72, were sold to Silver Dollar City Tennessee (now Dollywood), a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.[3][2][12][14][15] It received a cosmetic restoration and placed on static display at the park.[2][12][16]
In 1986, the railroad decided to return the engine to operating condition to help assist WPY No. 192 in excursion service.[2][12][14] The engine was converted back to coal during its restoration and it was eventually returned to service in 1987, now proclaimed as Cinderella; since then, it has hauled excursion trains on the 5-mile track around the theme park.[1][2][12][11][15]
On February 24, 2026, Dollywood officials announced that they would convert Nos. 70 and 192 back to burning oil instead of coal.[17][11] This will enable them to run more in unfavorable conditions and to reduce maintenance and pollution.[17][18] The converted engine returned to steam on March 13 for the opening of the park's 41st season.[19]
Accidents and incidents
- In 1940, 1951 and 1955, No. 70 was involved in three major accidents while working on the WPY, where it rolled over on its side three separate times.[20] The locomotive would be repaired three separate times after the incidents and would continue service.[20][21]
- On October 18, 2020, No. 70 was being prepped for service when a grease fire started on the side of the engine.[22][23] The fire was put out quickly and without injuries.[22][23]