Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 62) Culture, Heritage and Sophistication All ©Alex Mayes In Colorado, whistle stops, steam engines and cabooses are not just a thing of the past. They’re emblems of our much cherished heritage, and to this day you can continue to ride many of these historic routes. Broaden your perspective on narrow-gauge tracks. SEASON START AND END POINTS THE VIEWS Aboard Year-round (check schedule) Durango/Silverton CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR 800-USA-RAIL Year-round Six stops in Colorado Passes through prairie, many remote roadless areas, www.amtrak.com (check schedule) including Denver pastoral ranchland, and Gore and Glenwood Canyons. THE HISTORY: Passes through the historic Moffat Tunnel. Inquire about Amtrak’s Trails & Rails Partnership with the National Park Service. CRIPPLE CREEK & VICTOR NARROW GAUGE ©Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad 719-689-2640 Mid May Cripple Creek/Victor Aspen-laden hills, views of Pikes Peak in the distance, www.cripplecreekrailroad.com to early Oct. old mining structures and sage-covered meadows. THE HISTORY: Open since 1968, this family-owned railroad includes two locomotives from the Climax Molybdenum Mine. CUMBRES & TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD ©Denise Chambers/ Weaver 888-CUMBRES Late May Antonito/Chama, NM Some of the state's oldest and largest aspen groves, www.cumbrestoltec.com to mid-Oct. deep valley views, alpine peaks and ranch land. THE HISTORY: Built in 1880, this narrow-gauge extension of the Rio Grande Railroad served the silver mines and towns of the San Juan Mountains. DURANGO-SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD ©Matt Inden/Weaver 877-872-4607 www.durangotrain.com Forges through the wild Animas River Canyon, with views of the towering peaks of the Weminuche Wilderness. THE HISTORY: From its start in 1882, this narrow-gauge railroad had the dual purpose of carrying mining freight as well as sightseeing passengers. GEORGETOWN LOOP ©Georgetown Loop 888-456-6777 www.georgetownlooprr.com Views of the soaring Devil's Gate High Bridge (before crossing it), aspen and pine forest, and the rough and tumble rapids of Clear Creek. THE HISTORY: An engineering marvel since it was built in 1884, the route was a vital link between two thriving mining towns. LEADVILLE, COLORADO & SOUTHERN RAILROAD CO. Late May to early Oct. Silver Plume/ Georgetown ©Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad Co. 866-386-3936 www.leadville-train.com Staggering views of the state's highest peak (Mount Elbert), the Upper Arkansas Valley and the Continental Divide. THE HISTORY: Follows the old lines established by the Denver, South Park & Pacific and Southern & Colorado lines to the Continental Divide. PIKES PEAK COG RAILWAY Late May to early Oct. Leadville/Climax ©Pikes Peak Cog Railway 719-685-5401 www.cograilway.com A view from Pikes Peak’s summit, a rocky canyon, a grove of bristlecone pines and the occasional flock of bighorn sheep. THE HISTORY: Founded by Zalmon Simmons (of Simmons mattress fame), it was completed in 1891, providing a Swiss-like way to the summit. RIO GRANDE SCENIC RAILROAD Year-round (check schedule) Manitou Springs/ Peaks Peak Summit ©Rio Grande Scenic Railroad 877-7CO-RAIL www.riograndescenicrailroad.com Distant views of the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains and a trip over La Veta Pass. A second train passes through the middle of the San Luis Valley. THE HISTORY: The town of Alamosa owes its existence to the founding of these two storied rail routes, which delivered cargo to the Southern Rockies. ROYAL GORGE RAILROAD Year-round (check schedule) La Veta/Alamosa Alamosa/Antonito ©Ron Ruhoff 888-724-5748 www.royalgorgeroute.com From open cars and glass-topped dining cars, see the chasm walls, the seething river and the world's highest suspension bridge. THE HISTORY: The train travels the coveted route that spawned the “Royal Gorge War” between two competing railroad companies in the 1870s. SKI TRAIN Year-round (check schedule) Cañon City 62 ©Kent Meireis 303-296-4754 www.skitrain.com Endless pine groves, the treeless peaks of the Continental Divide, lakes, rivers and scenery not often seen from roads. THE HISTORY: Passes through the historic Moffat Tunnel. In the 1960s and ’70s, this train carried youth skiers from the Eskimo Ski Club to the slopes. Year-round (check schedule) Denver/Winter Park 1-800-Colorado | www.colorado.com http://www.colorado.com
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