In today’s high-speed world, technology and transportation unite to get people where they’re going quickly and efficiently. Transportation by train is a rarity. Instead, light rail systems race through cityscapes while passengers doze or read on their tablets.
Perhaps this is what makes Colorado’s “real” trains such a marvelous and awe-inspiring escape from everyday life. Both the Georgetown Loop Railroad and the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offer passengers an incredible trip back in time and through some of Colorado’s most inaccessible yet stunning wilderness. This historic and scenic journey provides a fantastic weekend getaway for those in Colorado looking for an easy summer or fall “stay-cation.”
Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is an engineering masterpiece dating back to the 1880s. It was constructed to connect the once thriving mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume, which are only 2 miles apart but are separated by a narrow and steep mountain canyon. The result was 3.1 miles of narrow gauge track snaking through the canyon in a spiraling route that slowly climbed more than 600 feet in elevation. Open to passengers from 1899 until 1938, the railroad was abandoned until 1973 when the Colorado Historical Society began its renovation and later reopened the Loop to tourists.
Today the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park located off Interstate 70 just 45 miles west of Denver is an exhilarating way to experience the beauty Clear Creek Valley while learning some fascinating Colorado history. The train makes multiple stops each day at the route’s endpoints: the Silver Plume Depot and the Devil’s Gate Station in Georgetown. At the route’s midway point is the Lebanon Silver Mine, which passengers can tour for a slightly higher train fare.
The Loop’s 2012 season runs May 5 through December 30 with fares starting at $25.50 per adult and $18.50 per child (ages 3 to 15). A variety of special events and routes – some geared for adults and some for the whole family to enjoy – are being featured this year:
- Moonlight in the Mountains takes passengers on a unique dinner excursion in one of the train’s enclosed dining coaches
- Wine and Hors d’ouevres Train offers a sampling of a variety of wines paired with hors d’ouevres within the comfort of an enclosed coach
- In September and October the Beer and Brats Train couples a Colorado microbrew tasting with appetizers, brats & sauerkraut, and desert
- The 4th of July Fireworks Train features cowboy BBQ and a unique view of the Georgetown Fireworks display
- Pumpkin Festival Trains run the first two weekends of October and include a hay bale maze set up outside the Lebanon Silver Mine, free pumpkins and variety of kid-friendly activities
Reservations for these events are recommended. For complete details on the Georgetown Loop Railroad or to make a reservation, visit http://www.georgetownlooprr.com.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Nestled in Colorado’s southwest corner, the towns of Durango and Silverton once were major hubs for miners who extracted the precious gold and silver ore from the nearby San Juan Mountains. A railway was completed in 1882 to connect the towns and haul freight and passengers between them.
Amazingly, while its main purpose and ownership has changed over the years, the 130-year-old Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has never ceased operation. Its vintage steam locomotive today takes passengers on a scenic feast for the eyes as it winds through dramatic canyons and offers incredible views of the pristine 2 million-acre San Juan National Forest. Its summer route (May-October) is 45.4 miles each way, while its winter trips (November through early May) travel 26 miles each way to Cascade Station. The railroad operates year-round and offers a choice of seating classes: standard, deluxe, first and presidential. Fares vary depending on the chosen class and passenger age.
Whether it’s Colorado history, good music, fine food or outdoor adventure that defines your “perfect getaway,” the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has offerings to delight every personality. A full line-up of events and packages can be found at www.durangotrain.com, but here’s just a sampling of the unique opportunities available:
- The Durango Blues Train is Saturday, June 2, and features seven live blues acts for passengers to enjoy while traveling the railroad’s summer route
- The Raft and Rails package features a morning raft trip on the Lower Animas River, and then passengers enjoy the train ride from Silverton to Durango
- The Mesa Verde National Park Tour package allows travelers a day on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad one day and a guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park the next.
The train’s main station is in downtown Durango, which is 337 miles southwest of Denver. For details on lodging and amenities in the Durango area, visit http://www.durango.com.