Lots of track stars among 7 railroads

By John Lehndorff, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Ask a dozen visitors to name Colorado's greatest appeal as a summer destination, and you may get 12 different, strongly felt answers.

But for vacationing railroad aficionados - they call themselves "railfans" - Colorado is the promised land.

Even back in 1892, when rail was still the fastest travel mode, a popular tour touted the scenic splendor of the Narrow Gauge Circle, which took tourists from Denver to Pueblo, Alamosa, Durango, Montrose, Salida and back.

While visitors can no longer travel the complete loop by rail, Colorado still boasts a roster of railroading experiences from the highest railway in North America - the Pikes Peak Cog Railway - to the Royal Gorge Route Railroad along the Arkansas River.

Beyond the appeal of riding the trains and learning about Western history, the state's seven tourist railroads provide glimpses of otherwise inaccessible Rocky Mountain scenery.

Many locomotive lovers complete their visit with a step into the past at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden and a ride in the present day on Amtrak's California Zephyr from Denver's Union Station to Winter Park and Glenwood Springs.

Georgetown Loop

42 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, 1-888-456-6777, georgetownlooprr.com.

Don't be alarmed if you feel a little loopy on this narrow gauge train connecting Georgetown and Silver Plume. The tracks makes two loops and, at the Devil's Gate Bridge, crosses over itself on a 90-foot-high trestle. Round-trip tickets for the 75-minute ride cost $21.50 for adults, $16.50 kids 3-15. Rides that include the Lebanon Silver Mine tour depart from Silver Plume; fares are $29.50 adults, $22.50 kids. Children 2 and under are free if they sit in a parent's lap. The 2008 season opens May 24.

Cumbres & Toltec

1-888-286-2737, cumbrestoltec.com.

Plan on a full-day adventure when you take the narrow-gauge railroad from Antonito to Chama, N.M., by way of the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass. The train stops for lunch at Osier. Passengers can choose to train all the way to Chama and take a bus back to Antonito ($79 adults, $39.50, $130 parlor car), or take the train back to Antonito from Osier ($65 adults, $32.50 kids, $120 parlor car). Nighttime dinner trains run June 21 and Aug. 16. Cost: $75 coach, $130 parlor car. The 2008 season runs from May 24 to Oct. 19.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

1-970-247-2733, durangotrain.com.

Guests travel along the Animas River and up 2,000 feet through the San Juan National Forest on a 45-mile track originally built by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. The all-day ride starts in Durango, with a midday, two-hour stop in Silverton, site of the Durango & Silverton Railroad Museum. Summer round-trip fares with vintage coach seating or open-air observation gondola seating are $75 adults, $45 kids. Adults also can choose from a variety of first- class seating options in more plush and roomier cars ranging from $99-$179. The train runs year-round.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

303-569-2403, 303-569-1000, 1-888-724-5748; royalgorgeroute.com

Colorado's most spectacular railroad trip starts and ends in Canon City at the historic Santa Fe station. The rail cars run 24 miles along the Arkansas River, passing under the Royal Gorge Bridge and stopping on the Hanging Bridge, thereby suspending the train way above the river. The journey lasts two hours, three for dinner trains, daily from May 24 to Oct. 19. Coach class seats are $32.95 adults, $21.50 kids, free for lap-sitters under 3. Food and a cash bar are available. First-class Vista Dome seats are $57.95 adults, $46.50 kids. Trips featuring a four-course dinner plus night trains, murder mystery trains and winemaker dinner excursions are also available throughout the season. Check the Web site for prices.

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge

1-719-689-2640, cripplecreekrailroad.com

For a lower-key - not to mention lower- priced - and less-time-consuming train experience, relax on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge. A 15-ton, coal-fired steam locomotive pulls cars that depart from Midland Station in Cripple Creek every 40 minutes or so. The 4-mile excursion runs through aspen groves, past historic buildings and ends near the deserted Anaconda mining camp. A round-trip ticket is only $11 adults, $10 seniors, $7 kids (under 3 ride free). A $1-off-each-ticket coupon is available at the railroad's Web site. The 2008 season runs from May 17 to mid-October.

Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad Co.

1-719-486-3936, leadville-train.com.

One of the best views of Colorado's highest peak, Mount Elbert, is part of the experience on the Leadville Colorado & Southern. The 11-mile, 21/2-hour trek goes from Leadville to the Climax Mine at Fremont Pass, climbing 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River past wildlife and waterfalls. The train stops for a 15-minute break so riders can take in the 14,443-foot mountain. Tickets are $28.50 adults, $16.50 kids, 3 and under ride free (as do well-behaved dogs). Special caboose and engine rides are available. The 2008 season runs from May 24 to Oct. 8.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

1-719-685-5401. cograilway.com.

It's not the fastest way to travel, but the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is definitely one of the most memorable. The three-hour round-trip ride takes visitors from Manitou Springs to the 14,110-foot summit of the mountain that inspired America the Beautiful. The world's highest cog railway travels at a leisurely 8 miles per hour, allowing the conductor to talk about history, engineering and geology. There's a half-hour stop on the summit. Tickets are $30.50 adults and $17 kids now through June 30 and Aug. 19 through the end of the year. July 1 through Aug. 18, tickets are $32.50 adults, $18 kids. 2-and-unders are free if held in parent's lap.

Colorado Railroad Museum

17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden, 1-800-365-6263; 303-279-4591, crrm.org

Twelve steam locomotives are on display daily at this private museum, along with other narrow gauge rolling stock and model railroad displays. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 2 to 16, $7 for seniors, and $18 for a family. Once a month, one of the passenger trains is "steamed-up" and takes visitors for rides. Upcoming dates include May 31-June 1 and June 14-15. Admission on these days are $12 adults, $10 seniors, $5 kids and $25 family.

For more information

* Colorado's narrow gauge railroad history: narrowgauge.org

* California Zephyr: amtrak.com

• May 8, 2008

  12:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Gene writes:

  Colorado's development had a lot to do with the new railroads. It is a rich history, and it still appeals to a range of personal interests.