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Colorado

The Best of Colorado’s Historic Railroads

Program No. 4345RJ

The story of Colorado is stitched together with mining seams and railroad lines. Come learn why as you ride historic trains, visit historic towns and witness grand feats of engineering.

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Train Treks On the Road

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9 days

8 nights

20 meals

8B 7L 5D

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Dinner, Presentation

Denver, CO

Victorian Mining Town of Georgetown, Narrow Gauge Railroad

Colorado Springs, CO

Cog Railway, Pikes Peak, Broadmoor, Glen Eyrie

Colorado Springs, CO

Royal Gorge Railroad; Dinosaur Experience; San Luis Valley

Alamosa, CO

Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad, Transfer to Durango

Durango, CO

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR, Million Dollar Highway

Ouray, CO

Yankee Boy Basin Field Trip, Ridgway Railroad Museum

Ouray, CO

Ute History Museum, Redstone, Return to Denver

Denver, CO

Program Concludes

Denver, CO

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At a Glance

From the summit of Pikes Peak to the depths of the Royal Gorge watch the Colorado landscapes paint a beautiful watercolor of greens and blues as you experience this region aboard historic trains. Deepen your understanding of the Rocky Mountains as you slow down the whizzing world around you to relive the glory days of train travel. Aboard historic railroads, wind your way through mining towns, join experts in history museums and study the impressive feats of engineering that have stood the test of time. On this train-and-coach journey, trace the parallel development of the railroads and of Colorado’s settlement, and discover what hidden gems lie in its modern cities. If learning and fun are what you’re after, you’re on the right track!

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Elevations of 5,000-14,115 feet. This is a very hectic, active program. Must be able to walk up to 1 mile daily, climb steps, board motorcoach and train cars unassisted.

Best of all, you’ll…

Compare riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway with the historic Durango and Silverton, as well as the Cumbres and Toltec steam-powered narrow-gauge railways.
Experience the engineering marvel of Georgetown Loop as you cross bridges and climb the narrow canyon, and journey by 4x4 through the spectacular San Juan Mountains.
Ride along the Royal Gorge Route, Colorado’s oldest scenic railroad, to learn about its complicated history.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Al Dunton

For more than four decades, Al Dunton has been sharing his knowledge and passion for railroads with thousands of eager rail students and enthusiasts. He has lectured for Colorado State University (CSU) history classes, the CSU American West Lecture Series, and CSU continuing education courses. Al is the owner and managing editor of Centennial Publications, specializing in U.S. railroads, Colorado and western history. Al and his wife, Lynne, live in Fort Collins in their restored 1878 building.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Al Dunton View biography

Suggested Reading List (8 books)

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You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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The Best of Colorado’s Historic Railroads

Program Number: 4345

Tomboy Bride: A Woman's Personal Account of Life in Mining Camps of the West

by Harriet Fish Backus

Just after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, twenty-year-old Harriett Fish took the train from Oakland to Denver to marry her fiancé George Backus. After the wedding, they journeyed by narrow gauge train to Telluride high in the San Juan Mountains. George was an assayer for the Tomboy, a silver and gold mine at timberline over 11,000 feet high. This is just over the ridge from the Yankee Boy Basin mining area we visit on our four-wheel drive trip. Author Harriett Fish Backus, describes their life in vivid detail. Over half the book covers their years at the Tomboy; also covered are their mining and milling experiences in British Columbia, Idaho, and back to Colorado. At the beginning of World War I, George pioneered the process still used today to concentrate molybdenum, a metal used to strengthen steel. This is the best book that covers everyday life in the mining camps of the West.

Ticket To Toltec: A Mile By Mile Guide for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

by Doris B. Osterwald

Everything you would ever want to know about the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS). Includes the geology and geography of the area, detailed Denver and Rio Grande (D&RG) history, flora and fauna, operations and equipment, and a detailed mile-by-mile guide and maps of our route. Many historic and modern photos with a few in color. The definitive reference guide that satisfies rail fans and tourists alike.

Colorado Railroad Map

by Robert W. Richardson Library

COLORADO RAILROAD MAP 36" x 24” Folded $8.00 Covers all known Colorado railroads both operating and abandoned. On the back are eight smaller historical maps. Shown are the railroads we visit. Our motor coach is also routed to follow other operating and abandoned grades where possible. This map is available for purchase at orientation

Cinders and Smoke: A Mile by Mile Guide for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

by Doris B. Osterwald

By the same author as Ticket to Toltec. Reference information about the Durango and Silverton (D&S) Narrow Gauge Railroad, another Denver and Rio Grande (D&RG) successor. Also includes brief histories of the two towns that the D&RG reached in 1881 and 1882. Highly recommended. This book is available at the Colorado Railroad Museum and at shops in Durango and Silverton. It is not available at the D&S gift shop or on the train.

All Aboard For America's Mountain

by Claude Wiatrowski

The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway - the famous "Cog Wheel Route"! We climb to the top of 14,110 foot Pikes Peak on grades up to 25%. This is the official history and guidebook to the railway first opened in 1891. Lots of color as well as historic photos.

Colorado's Colorful Characters

by Gladys R. Bueler

Outstanding illustrated narrative history of the men and women that shaped Colorado. Starting with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, interwoven are the stories of the explorers, mountain men, Native Americans, settlers, miners, railroad builders and industrialists. Included are the two major railroad builders we discuss, General William Jackson Palmer (Denver & Rio Grande) and Otto Mears (tollroads and four small narrow gauge).

The Georgetown Loop- A Capsule History and Guide

by State Historical Society of Colorado

A wonderful illustrated history published by the Colorado Historical Society, the owner of the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining and Railroad Park. Excellent coverage of gold and silver mining development, early Colorado railroad history, the building of the narrow gauge Colorado Central Railroad (later the Colorado & Southern) up Clear Creek, the Loop completed in 1884, and the mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume. Also covered is the development of the Historic Mining and Railroad Park in the 1970s and 1980s.

Rails Thru the Royal Gorge

by Doris B. Osterwald

The most spectacular scenic attraction in the West! Covered are 130 years of history about the world’s deepest gorge with a railroad, built in 1879, running through the bottom. Also includes a complete biography of Wm. Jackson Palmer, the story of the Denver and Rio Grande – Santa Fe ‘Royal Gorge War’, and the development of the new Royal Gorge Railway we ride through the bottom of the gorge. The Suspension Bridge, built in 1929, hovers 1,000 feet above the train we ride along the Arkansas River. The book includes over 200 B&W & color photos, detailed maps, charts and geological information.

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The Best of Colorado’s Historic Railroads

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

General Notes

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