Hop aboard the Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad for the most relaxing and scenic Rocky Mountain experience. Denver-Metro Dispatchers: 2006. 326 E. 7th Street PO Box 916 Leadville, CO 80461. Interestingly, this attempt ultimately fell through. Two miles apart in a narrow mountain canyon, the train . Check out our volunteer page for more info and how to sign up. that when its parent company Rio Grande Industries purchased the SP in The race where legends are created and limits are tested. ** Please note, there are no changes for 2022, but there will be a change in volunteer hour requirements in 2023. The lead unit, #3552, was built as Norfolk & Western #1724 and acquired by the D&RGW in 1943. As great a problem as topography was, the route and terminals posed a still greater one. That's because the narrow gauge tracks that it rides on snake . Even more famous than the tunnel was the introduction of a joint passenger train by the Burlington, Rio Grande, and Western Pacific in 1949 known as theCalifornia Zephyrdeliberately routed through the mountains so that passengers could witness the stunning beauty offered over the Rio Grande's main line through the Rockies. This article briefly highlights where you can take a train in Indiana to view the fall colors each autumn. Denver, Pueblo, and Leadville to standard gauge as well. Our conductor narrates a history of Leadville and Railroading on the way so you can learn something new too! $260,000. Old Rail Route High into the Wilderness. Intentional littering on the course will be grounds for disqualification. A map of Tennessee Pass (highlighted in blue) from the Rio Grande's 1952 system map. One of the Rio Grande's giant 2-8-8-2's (L-131), #3607, is seen here between assignments at the Minturn, Colorado terminal on August 14, 1954. The Colorado Midland Railway (reporting mark CM),[1] incorporated in 1883, was the first standard gauge railroad built over the Continental Divide in Colorado. All awards will be presented at this time and must be picked up in person. Cargill GP9 #2000 is seen here tied up at the grain elevator in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado on August 30, 2001. Nevertheless, Rio Grande Pacific's new common-carrier, theColorado Midland & Pacific Railway (CM&P), planned to forge ahead. could be interchanged with other standard-gauge lines (by the 1880s, Abandoned (4,011) Age group awards will be based on the age an athlete will be on race day 8/20/23. from. In 1931 the portion of the Blackhawk branch between Central City and Blackhawk was removed. When the Busk-Ivanhoe Tunnel was built in 1891, railroad engineers were in need of a convenient route for Colorado's Midland Railroad to replace the higher-elevation Hagerman tunnel. Try the Leadville Railroad! Register for the camp packaged with an LT100 Run entry and you have a guaranteed spot into the sold-out race. This trip takes you high into an alpine environment with spectacular views of Colorados highest peaks, wildflowers, and sometimes even wildlife. All athletes and spectators will be required to park at the Community Fields and High School Parking lot and take a shuttle (or run, walk, bike) to the start line. Escape to the wilderness while enjoying an on board narrative of Leadville's colorful past. As such the Tennessee Pass Tunnel and route southward through Leadville became the railroad's secondary main line to Denver. . Especially noteworthy was the work of W. H. Jackson, particularly the photos circa 1890 showing the rise over five levels and the massive wood trestle leading to the final tier. What was left of the former Denver South Park & Pacific between Denver and Leadville including the Alma and Keystone branches was removed in the Summer of 1938, excluding the 20-mile portion between Denver and Waterton and the 14-mile segment between Leadville and Climax. 719.486.3936 or 1.866.386.3936. www.leadville-train.com. The history of the Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad dates back to the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad, which was in operation from 1872 to 1889. Designed with a corkscrew route by engineers, the loop is 3.1 miles in length and slowly gains 640 feet in elevation. the Colorado and Southern Railway and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1900. This left another isolated line between Buena Vista and Hancock, which was abandoned four years later. If you've ever headed west on U.S. Highway 24, you've followed the same route as the first standard gauge railroad built over the Continental . The Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad (later called the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison Railway) was a historic 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railroad that operated in Colorado in the western United States in the late 19th century. Clearly label bags in large letters with the following info: Unclaimed drop bags will be donated to local charities the next day. This page was last edited on 17 October 2022, at 03:39. Proceed past Ivanhoe Lake and continue up the sweeping curve that is the railroad grade to the tunnel entrance. Massive and Mt. Interest in reviving Tennessee Pass first began in November, 2019 when a group known as KCVN, LLC, through their subsidiary, Colorado Pacific Railroad, wanted to reopen the corridor for both freight and passenger service. Leadville temperatures in August vary from daytime highs in the upper 70s to nighttime lows in the upper 20s. 12 in ( 1,435 mm) standard gauge. Narrow gauge. Just keep going past the trail to the east portal, go through Hagerman Pass, come back down to the Colorado Midland Railroad grade, turn left ( you will probably have to drive a few yards down the grade to find a place to turn around). During the 1870's, mining was big business in the Centennial State and both railroads went to war to access the lucrative silver mines around Leadville. In 1890, the Union Pacific transferred U&N Engines No. Note: Crewing outside of these 4 locations is against official race rules and may result in disqualification of your runner. US Voting Map. Besides the Rio Grande's famed narrow-gauge lines two other future ventures would earn the railroad legendary status. E-mail: ahra@state.co.us. One of Colorado's first tourist attractions, this spectacular three-foot narrow gauge, Georgetown Loop Railroad was considered as one of the engineering marvels of its times. If you are a doctor, nurse, or EMT and would like to help in this capacity, please email Chris Yeager of Lake County Search and rescue for more information and to sign up as a medical volunteer. Note due to backcountry terrain, there may be lag time on SMS alerts based on cell signal availability. Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. Rolling stock has been scattered across the US. This was due to overall impact in Winfield and congestion on Hope Pass. This guide highlights organizations in Michigan hosting train rides during the fall season. 4. However, Don Strack rescued the data and transferred it over to his, If you are researching anything EMD related please visit, If you are researching active or abandoned corridors you might want to check out the, Abraham Lincoln (Train): Ride, Schedule, Consist, Timetable, Norfolk & Western 611: Excursions, Restoration, Background, Boulder County Railway Historical Society, Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. It connects the towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume, once rollicking mining towns that are two miles apart by way of a narrow and steep canyon. Situated at an elevation of 10,152 feet (3094 m), Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States. Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Visitor Center. 4,020 were here. We do offer a military discount for active and non-active military . American-Rails.com collection. Please see the PACER & CREW INFORMATION tab, as well as the Aid Stations & Course Cutoffs Tab on our website for more info regarding where crews are allowed or not. Competing on behalf of one of our official charity partners not only guarantees you a spot in the race, but also provides you the opportunity to make an impact in the community. Any attempt to understand these lines must start to break the network down into some sort of groups. This historic rail line was established in 1880 to serve silver mines in the San Juan Mountains, and it follows a jagged route that crosses the Colorado-New Mexico border 11 times. There are 13 aid stations along the course, 11 completely stocked aid stations and 2 hydration-only (Coke & Water) stations. Phone: (719) 539-7289. Colorado & Southern 2-8-2 #806 steams through Fort Collins, Colorado on December 22, 1957. route was a bit circuitous in that it headed north before returning to a In the late Lightning is hazardous, especially above the timberline. All finisher hoodies will be custom printed and shipped directly to your door. Colorado's 3-foot lines are legendary, names like the Denver & Rio Grande, Rio Grande Southern, Colorado & Southern, and Denver South Park & Pacific. Ahead of building this new line they upgraded their route between Elbert, Mt. A. long with the Silverton Route the Rio Grande's narrow-gauge line between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado also survived. 2023 Summer Schedule, Prices, and Map There are 5 locations on course that you can send drop bags: Remember that other than Winfield, you will pass through each aid station twice. This unit was built as Florence & Cripple Creek #20 in 1899 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works. We will send you emails containing information about our events and promotional offers. Whether the route ever sees trains again will likely be dependent on the demand for rail in the future, as Moffat Tunnel is currently near capacity with more than two-dozen trains passing through it every day. A spectacular series of winter storms started on 24 Jan 1899, dropping feet of heavy snow onto the Hagerman Pass route. All Life Time, Inc (Life Time) events and activities are subject to changes, alterations, and/or elimination in Life Times sole discretion as it evaluates and works to provide a safe event for all participants. Yes, leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome. The waiver can be filled out at one of the official checkpoints above or you may print one. Located only 45 miles (72.4 kilometers) from Denver, this ancient route is nestled high up in the Rocky Mountains. Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad 2013; . Vincent Porreca photo. Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race Option 2: Defer into the following year, pay a deferral fee of $395. Union Pacific Railroad operates local trains almost daily, which is mostly . Map 3. 260-265 to its Colorado-based Denver, Leadville, and Gunnison Railroad, where the original engine number was retained until the Colorado and Southern assumed operation of all Colorado-based Union Pacific narrow gauge lines. If you have any problems or questions regarding your purchase please contact us at 719-486-3936 or 1-866-386-3936. 1-866-386-3936. It can result in confusion, and this can be deadly. This event is held on the San Isabel National Forest under a special use permit. You'll follow one of the first rail routes to Colorado's mining district in the silver rush days, the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern line. In contrast to the preserved D&RGW narrow gauge equipment and infrastructure, few traces of the Colorado & Southern remain. Rio Grande 2-8-8-2's #3552 (L-109) and #3617 (L-132) run light between helper assignments on Tennessee Pass in the summer of 1949. Reserve a booth in the new lounge cars, for a cozy and private ride. C&S was also the parent company of the Fort Worth and Denver Railway, which ran from a connection at Texline south and east into Texas. Colorado has lost a significant amount of its rail infrastructure with 3,100 miles abandoned since the 1920's. To alleviate this issue the D&RG began looking at the prospect of Buy your ticket today and get ready to catch the train! Enter your goal finish time and see approximate race times, split times, and split paces required at various segments of the course for that desired finishing time. Of the classic fallen flag systems that made up most of Colorado's railroads, the Rio Grande is by far the state's most celebrated and recognized, mostly due to its fabled and sprawling narrow-gauge system, which lasted until the late 1960s. While there have been segments of standard gauge lines removed, mostly by way of branches and secondary trackage (operated by the Rio Grande, Santa Fe, Burlington, Missouri Pacific, and even the Rock Island), most of the abandonments were former narrow-gauge routes. Moffat Tunnel Subdivision: Former Denver and Rio Grande Western mainline west through the Rockies running to Grand Junction and eventually over Soldier Summit into Salt Lake City. Mosquito Pass was the original very rough road into Leadville in the late 1800s, and provides a history lesson and incredible views in the middle of the Colorado Rockies. In 1998 a gentleman by the name ofAndre Kristopans put together a web page highlighting virtually every unit out-shopped by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division. This map provided by Colorado Pacific Railroad shows the Tennessee Pass Line as it might be revived from Pueblo to Minturn and perhaps beyond. It's narrow-gauge operations, or what remained of them anyway (over the years the once almost exclusive narrow-gauge system had been converted to standard gauge), was centered primarily in the southern part of Colorado and northern New Mexico. Following the Panic of 1893, the Santa Fe railroad failed and both it and the Colorado Midland went into receivership. Denver-Metro Rail Lines: 2006. 2023 Lottery results were announced on 1/9/23. As such the Tennessee Pass Tunnel and route southward through Leadville became the railroad's secondary main line to Denver. The branch originally ran for 150 miles to Lone Pine, CA until in the early 1980's when SP filed for abandonment of roughly 100 miles of the line from Lone Pine, CA to Searles, CA. This included Alpine Tunnel, although rail was not removed until the 1940s. The Colorado Midland Railway ( reporting mark CM ), [1] incorporated in 1883, was the first standard gauge railroad built over the Continental Divide in Colorado. This shortened the line and made the grade easier, but the approaches to these summits were severe: eastbound trains faced an ascent of about twenty miles of three percent grades in the climb from Basalt to the western portal of the tunnel at Ivanhoe; westbound trains climbing out of the Arkansas River Valley faced a shorter but still difficult climb of 3.24%. Try the Leadville Railroad! After October 31st, buckles and awards will no longer be able to be shipped. All proceeds from the evening benefit those two charities; learn more about them and their missions here: Special guests will include Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin, Founders of the Leadville Trail 100 and the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation and Kimo Seymour, Executive Director of the Life Time Foundation. interchange lucrative traffic. Along with the Durango & Silverton and C&T narrow-gauge operations the state boosts several other museums and tourist railroads. 1-866-386-3936. effective means over the Rocky Mountains. CREW RULES: Crew must abide by Lake County & Chaffee County laws, race rules, listen and respect ALL Leadville Race Series Staff, Volunteers, and personnel in enforcement uniform or vests. The next day standard-gauge locomotives began hauling the loads. Back in the day, on Tennessee Pass Rio Grande 2-8-8-2 #3400 works as a mid-train helper battling the grade near Red Cliff, Colorado with an eastbound manifest in 1950. Check the Parking & Shuttles tab for a complete shuttle schedule and map. The document was created as a result of a Colorado State Historical Fund grant awarded to Colorado State Parks for the purpose of preparing a historic context that would assist in evaluation and planning efforts related to railroad abandonments and potential rails-to-trails conversions. Technical. The Colorado and Southern 3-ft-gauge lines were formed in 1898 from the Colorado Central and the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroads. It was the first standard gauge railroad to run throughout Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide as it made its way between Colorado Springs, Leadville, and Aspen, with important stops along the route at places like Glenwood Springs. You are permitted to park along Highway 82 and shuttles will pick up at these 3 locations and drop off in Twin Lakes Village: We will transport all runners in need of a shuttle from Winfield back to Twin Lakes. Ironically, the situation reversed itself abruptly after the government took control of the railroads, and the USRA decided to route all trans-Colorado traffic onto the Midland. Carlton Tunnel, near Leadville. PLEASE NOTE: We expect updates to shuttle times in 2023. At the end of 1970 it operated 692 miles of road on 1116 miles of track; that year it reported 1,365million ton-miles (1,993milliontkm) of revenue freight. Some are on display in Colorado, one mail car found its way to Nebraska, and some boxcars are on the White Pass and Yukon Route in Alaska. One of the best train rides in Colorado, and arguably the world, is just 30 miles down the road from Winter Park and Grand Park . Grande, is one our country's most famous railroads. August 19, 2023. Not much of the narrow gauge survives today. Do not attempt to drive a personal or crew vehicle to Winfield, you will be turned around. The Morrison Branch was removed in 1926. tunnel over the pass opened at an elevation of 10,239 feet. As you can see, during the height of rail travel Colorado was home to just over 5,500 miles of trackage. This two-and-a-half-hour train ride takes passengers up 1,000 feet from Leadville and through the untamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest for breathtaking views of Fremont Pass, Mt. You will be required to shuttle to Mayqueen. Note: If you cannot pick up your award, we will mail it to you for a small fee. The route gains more than 600 feet in elevation along the way and . Application links: All media will be required to attend the media briefing at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 18 at 213 Harrison Ave. Additional media inquiries can be directed to Jordan Titus.