Train and railroad enthusiasts will love the Colorado historic railroad experience. Imagine the steam erupting from the boiler stack as you take off on a railway adventure into the high mountains and river valleys of Colorado's wilderness. The sights, sounds, and smells of an historic train trip are incredible.
Old iron-horses and narrow gauge trains provide an uncommon vacation delight for those of all ages as they steam atop trestles and wind between canyon walls to reach their Colorado destinations. There's no better way to experience Colorado than by traveling one or more of the many railways that are found throughout the state.
Besides the typical Amtrak railroad that passes through Colorado's high mountain passes, pine and aspen forests, and wide open prairies as it passes through the state, Colorado is the home to historic trains and railroads that are a must to see and ride. These historic railways provide an unforgettable vacation adventure.
Here are but a few of the Colorado railroad trips you can enjoy during your visit to Colorado.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Chances are that even if you've never been to Colorado, you've heard of the world famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This train has played a major role in many blockbuster movies over the years. You can ride the train that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made popular.
At the peak of the gold and silver rush, this narrow-gauge railroad hauled over $300 million dollars worth of these precious metals out of the mountains of Southwestern Colorado. Winding through aspen covered valleys and along roaring rivers, this railroad provides visitors with scenic delights that most vacationers to Colorado never see.
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive railway that travels through the colorful and scenic San Juan National Forest. The locomotives used to pull today's train remain 100% coal-fired, steam-operated and are of 1923-25 vintage and are maintained in original condition.
Take a ride back through time behind this historic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive as it winds through 46 miles from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton, Colorado, a National Historic Landmark. You will never forget this exciting Colorado experience.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad brings Colorado railroad history to life in a fun adventure that will electrify the entire family. See the beauty of the rugged Rocky Mountains as you ride an old-time narrow gauge steam locomotive. The train chugs and winds its way up and down the canyon, hauling you past the remains of several old gold and silver mines.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad connects Silver Plume and Georgetown, towns over 2 miles apart. The railroad tracks climb an elevation of 640 feet over mountainous terrain, requiring trestles, cuts, fills, loops, and curves to get to its destination.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a popular Colorado railroad attraction and an uncommon way to see the Clear Creek Valley. Along the route visitors may stop for guided tours of the historic Lebanon silver mine.
The mine is located on 978 acres and includes an 1884 depot, the Morrison Interpretive Center, two 1860s mines. There is also an 1871 mill building, four reconstructed mine buildings, a locomotive maintenance building, as well as, the 1874 Pohle House and a new rolling stock shelter to see at this stop.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a scenic trip that visitors can not afford to miss. You'll begin to believe that you are a new prospector making your way though the Colorado mountains in the 1800's. This is truly one of the best Colorado railroads to travel on.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Hidden away in a little-known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains is a precious historic part of the Colorado West that time forgot. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad takes you through this historic part of Colorado.
Built in 1880, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is the finest and most magnificent example of steam-era mountain railroading in North America. This Colorado railroad travels through a vast landscape that seems as if frozen in the first half of the twentieth century.
The time has long passed since this Colorado railroad last hauled precious metals of gold and silver over Cumbres Pass. But its steam locomotives still chug up steep grades carrying visitors over high trestles, through tunnels, and along narrow shelves teetering above sleepy gorges.
In a modern era of strip malls, cruise ships and jumbo jets, the Cumbres & Toltec provides a soothing and rustic experience for those seeking something different. This Colorado railroad experience is just another travel adventure for those that want to get off the beaten path.
Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
A trip on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, reveals scenic wonders around every curve of the Colorado Countryside. This Colorado railroad has a century-old steam locomotive that takes you back to the gold mining days of Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado.
The historic locomotive, a 15 ton iron horse typical of the early steam engines, goes south out of the 1894 depot in Cripple Creek, past the old Midland Terminal and over a reconstructed trestle to tour past many historic mines. This Colorado railroad terminates near the old, deserted mining camp of Anaconda, then returns back to Cripple Creek.
This novel four-mile round- trip includes a fascinating and educational narration on the rich history only a dynamic gold town could produce. This is spectacular 45-minute trip, full of beautiful colors and provocative experiences. The old steam engine, with its pillaring smoke and chugging sounds of the boiler makes the trip a pleasurable glimpse into the past.
This Colorado railroad provides visitors with all the scenes familiar to the hardy miners who rode the Midland Terminal roadbed when Cripple Creek District's mining population approached over 50,000 and this area was a bustling part of Colorado.
These are but a few of the railways that make up the Colorado railroad experience. Many of the other trains that a popular to ride are more modern railroads. All of Colorado's railroads go through some of the most scenic landscapes you can visit in North America.
When you're planning your Colorado vacation, don't forget to include on of the many railroads. Trains fascinate many types of people and are fun for the kids to ride. The Colorado railroad experience is one you don't want to miss.
