Ride the vintage railways in the Colorado Rockies for a historic ride amidst spectacular scenery. Family friendly train rides are fun and educational, as passengers experience rail travel in the old mining rails in the Rocky Mountains. Scenic railroads in central Colorado include Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad and Georgetown Loop Railroad.
During the era of silver and lead mining, the railways were the most efficient means of transportation through the mountains and valleys of the great Colorado Rockies. The historic railways offer a chance to experience history and view magnificent scenery at the same time.
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad
Leadville is a Colorado mining town tucked into a magnificent alpine valley. The LC&S takes passengers along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern Lines to the Continental Divide. The train traveed along the Arkansas River Valley, where mining and railroading were a large part of local history. The Rocky Mountain adventure is a two and half hour journey in the wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest. Passengers have views of the Freemont Pass, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert.
Leadville was the Colorado home to legends like Molly Brown and Horace, Doc Holiday and Guggenheims.
Passengers have a chance to meet the engineer, and tour the engine and the caboose. During the summer months it is not surprising to see snow on the mountaintops.
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad operates from May to October.
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, 326 E. 7th Street, Leadville, CO 80461. 1-866-386-3936.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
Georgetown Loop, which was completed in 1884, takes passengers on a spectacular stretch on a three foot narrow gauge railroad. The line was built to connect two thriving mining towns via a corkscrew route that included horseshoe curves, four bridges across Clear Creek and the Devil's Gate High Bridge. The rail line was operated by Colorado & Southern Railway from 1899 to 1938, when it was abandoned.
The Colorado Historical Society began restoring the railroad in 1973, as part of the 978 acres Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park.
The vintage passenger train is pulled by a historic steam locomotive. The train park includes an 1883 depot, two 180's mines, a 1871 mill building, four reconstructed mine buildings, a locomotive maintenance building, the 1874 Pohle House and a rolling stock shelter.
Georgetown Loop Railroad runs from May through October. An optional silver mine tour is a walking tour for people who are physically fit.
The Georgetown Loop Mining & Railroad Park is located 45 miles west of Denver, just off Interstate 70.
Georgetown Loop Railroad, Georgetown, Colorado 80444. 1-888-45-7777.Information is subject to change.
