Rail History Links

heart rio grande
California Zephyr makes a brief stop in Salida
The California Zephyr makes a brief stop in Salida, in the 1960’s

Through the Rockies, Not Around Them

Why should you care about old railroads?

  • Exit Tours MC uses the majority of these old Railroad Right-of-Ways to traverse the Rocky Mountains.
  • Ride with Exit Tours MC in the Rocky Mountains and you will have the opportunity to ride over and on most of these historical Rail Lines.

You could ride most of the old Railroad Right-of-ways mentioned on this page at X-Roads BV in mid-August.

X Roads Buena Vista

COLORADO RAIL HISTORY LINKS

Heart of the Rockies

Colorado Railroad history on this page:

  • Specific info on the Tennessee Pass
  • Poncha Junction
  • Maysville
  • Monarch & Monarch Pass
  • And the Marshall Pass sections of the Denver, Rio Grande & Western.
  • The Valley line thru the San Luis Valley to Alamosa. Salida.
  • The Royal Gorge and the Denver to Pueblo Mainline.
  • Some History on the Colorado Midland Railroad, which includes some interesting facts on Hagerman Pass.
Hagerman Trestle
Hagerman Trestle
  • A brief history on the Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railroad and short link on the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad up Phantom Canyon.
  • A Link to the Denver, Southpark & Pacifistic Historical Society and a Wikpedia link on the DSP&P
  • An article on Salida’s and Chaffee Counties Railroad History.
Colorado 2 Day sticker
Colorado 2 Day sticker 2013
DRG&W Map at its heyday
Denver , Rio Grande & Western Map at its heyday

Some of the Old Railroad Passes we ride in the Heart of the Rockies Include:

Top of Trout Creek Pass
The Top of Trout Creek Pass was the Only place the Colorado Midland and the DSP&P crossed paths
  • The Alpine Tunnel Loop, which remains the highest Railroad tunnel ever bored thru the Rocky Mountains.
  • Marshall Pass, the first Railroad line over the Continental Divide.
  • Trout Creek Pass, which hosted both the Denver, South Park & Pacific and the Colorado Midland Railroads.
Trout Creek RR Map 1890 -1930
Trout Creek RR Map from the 1900s
  • Hagerman Pass between Aspen and Leadville
  • The Colorado Midland from Buena Vista
  • The Colorado Midland from Woodland Park
  • The Colorado Midland in 11 Mile Canyon
  • The Cripple Creek & Victor Line which was turned in Goldcamp Road
  • The Florence & Cripple Creek Line that was turned into Phantom Canyon
  • The Monarch Spur
Chili Line depot
Chili Line Depot in Tres Piedras, NM
  • The Chili Line in Northern New Mexico
  • The Gun Barrel over Poncha Pass

Hagerman Pass Info

Hancock Pass and the Alpine Tunnel

Marshall Pass Info

Trout Creek Pass

SOUTH PARK GATEWAY TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Railroad History you can ride around Pikes Peak

LINKS TO HISTORICAL RAILROAD INFO around the Crossroads of the Rockies from:

DENVER & RIO GRANDE.NET

Salida Archives

1926 Granite Train Wreck on the Tennessee Pass

DENVER & RIO GRANDE.NET LINKS

 

Mears Junction in the 1920's
Mears Junction on Poncha Pass in the 1920’s
Mears Junction 1919
Mears Junction on Poncha Pass in 1919

 

 

 

 

Salida's Art Deco Railroad Station
Salida’s Art Deco Railroad Station from the 40’s to the 70’s

Heart on the Sign signifies your in the Heart of the Rockies

 

 

California Zephyr Salida,
California Zephyr made a brief stop in Salida, in the 1960’s
The Midland Railroad elk
The Midland Railroad
Co Midland RR Pass
Co Midland Railroad Pass
CC&V Mining District Railroads
Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District Railroads Map
Gold Belt Tour
Phantom Canyon is part of the Gold Belt Tour
FCC Gold Belt
FCC Gold Belt
FCC box car logo
FCC box car logo
Railroad cut in Phantom Canyon
Railroad cut in Phantom Canyon

The South park Line

DSP&P engine Fairplay, CO
DSP&P Narrow Gauge engine in Fairplay, CO

Rail History Chaffee County

Mainline thru the Rockies

Adventuire Team
ADVENTURE TEAM

Heart of the Rockies

Great Divide Rides

UPCOMING RIDE DATES

EXIT TOURS ADVENTURE TEAM