Colorado’s historic railroads each have a unique history and charm. Denver & Rio Grande Western, Colorado's Other Noted Narrow-Gauge. Historically, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was a scenic route for passenger service. Historic Railroads in Colorado. The Denver Pacific Railroad was completed on June 26, 1870. Love Colorado? 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The familiar whistle has always promised adventure. The track became the first major railroad to serve the Colorado Territory. Can you believe it; The Slim Princess reunion was three years ago this month! Leadville. With the help of volunteers he started laying track for 50 pieces of equipment and built a motel to help fund the Museum. In the late 1940s when Colorado’s narrow gauge railroad companies started going out of business, Robert W. Richardson began collecting rolling stock, railway records, and other pieces of equipment in an effort to preserve Colorado history. 6.) 1872 – The Colorado Central line connects to Colorado’s gold mines for the first time with narrow gauge rail technology Once in Golden, Richardson built a replica narrow gauge railroad station to serve as the main Museum building. "View of the Union Pacific Railroad Company shops in Denver, Colorado. Group rates and programs are available. In 1885, there were electric street lights in central Denver, and a telephone line from Denver to Pueblo. It was decided to push the railroad up the valley another two miles to the neighboring mining camp of Silver Plume. The Walsenburg Train depot was the hub for North, East, South and West passengers. Although Museum founder Bob Richardson retired in 1991, his legacy was just starting to grow. 1 and No. Shows relief by hachures, drainage, counties, cities and towns, roads, and the railroads with names along the lines. The Iron Horse Motel was originally located where the roundhouse now sits. on Amazon.com. Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. The Colorado and Wyoming Railroad, a subsidiary of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, constructed a line connecting Dewitt, Nebraska to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Click here for a larger version (234kb). One of the most popular and booming fields in the city’s history is that of the railroad, which can be seen in these 13 rare photos via our friends at History Colorado. Then, and now, our mission is dedicated to preserving for future generations a tangible record of Colorado’s dynamic railroad era and particularly its pioneering, narrow gauge mountain railroads. Collecting railroad material has been a longstanding priority of the Western History Department, and our resources are vast. Gold had first attracted attention t… Also, see our exhibit galleries, renowned library, Roundhouse restoration facility and working turntable. The Uintah Railway Company closed in 1939, the Silverton Northern in 1942, the Rio Grande Junction in 1941, the Midland Terminal in 1949 and the Rio Grande Southern in 1951. Join us for The Friday Tour 1 p.m. - 2 p.m! At this point in history, the ferry was considered a part of the railroad system, which allowed the UP&CP to claim they had completed the first transcontinental railway. In remembrance of that special weekend take a look at the photo gallery and all the wonderful pictures from that weekend.. As for current events, well, sadly, there hasn’t been any. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted the Rio Grande railroad authority to discontinue trains No. Fueled by the mining boom, Colorado’s railroad history is fascinating, beginning in the 1860s. One of Colorado's most famous railroad engineering feats is just 42 miles from Denver. In 1862, the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the United States from east to … It is intended to be a one-stop source of reference material on these railroads, with an emphasis on the 1950's and 1960's period. 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