Colorado Railroading and Railfanning In "The Centennial State"

Colorado railroading is known mostly for three things; flat plains, the Rocky Mountains, and narrow-gauge railroading (even today!). It shouldn’t be surprising then that mountain railroading also defines the state’s rail operations. While the first railroad would not appear in Colorado until over 40 years after the Baltimore & Ohio was incorporated its rail network rapidly expanded after this time. Today, Colorado is dominated by the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway Class I systems. Along with the Class Is the state is also renowned for its bucolic and breathtaking narrow-gauge railways.

Colorado railroading is rather late to the game in comparison to other states, as its first railroad did not appear until 1870. That year the Denver Pacific Railroad & Telegraph Company completed its line from Denver to Cheyenne, Wyoming and a connection with the new Union Pacific Railroad. After this time the state’s rail network quickly exploded to over 1,500 miles by 1880. At its peak Colorado was once home to several Class I systems which include the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Union Pacific; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; and Missouri Pacific.

Of the classic fallen flag systems that had rail lines in Colorado, 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. 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. It was originally built to serve coal, timber, silver, and gold although most of this (particularly the latter) had dried up by the 20th century and in its final days the narrow-gauge operations were mostly a tri-weekly service carrying mixed trains of people and freight.

One of the Rio Grande’s narrow-gauge operations did survive, however. The Silverton Route survived abandonment and today continues on as the very popular Durango & Silverton Railroad. Along with the Silverton Route the Rio Grande’s narrow-gauge line between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado also survived. Today this line is home to the likewise well known Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Besides the Rio Grande’s famed narrow-gauge lines two other future ventures would earn the railroad legendary status. At the Continental Divide northwest of Denver, the Denver and Rio Grande Western completed the famous Moffat Tunnel in 1928, some 6.1-miles in length and bypassing the torturous Rollins Pass, over 11,000 feet in height! The new tunnel cut down transit times over that section of main line from several hours to mere minutes and further strengthened the line’s demand as a high-speed connection over the Rockies.

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 the California Zephyr deliberately routed through the mountains so that passengers could witness the stunning beauty offered over the Rio Grande’s main line through the Rockies. Not surprisingly the train was an instant hit with the public and did so well that the Rio Grande elected not to include it in Amtrak in 1971 and would rename the train the Rio Grande Zephyr. The train by then was so well known that Amtrak did not hesitate to keep it in service when the Rio Grande finally did elect to relinquish the train in the early 1980s and even honored it by renaming it back to the California Zephyr in 1983.

Today, the Rio Grande and other classic fallen flag systems have been merged away into the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway which carry on much of what their predecessors left behind as many lines remain important routes.

For a more in-depth look at Colorado's rail mileage over the years please refer to the table below.

Colorado railroading is also home to a few smaller shortline systems including the Great Western Railway and Colorado Wyoming Railway. Along with the Durango & Silverton and C&T narrow-gauge operations the state boosts several other museums and tourist railroads. These include the Boulder County Railway Historical Society, Colorado Railroad Museum, Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, Forney Museum of Transportation, Fort Collins Municipal Railway, Galloping Goose Historical Society, Georgetown Loop Historic Mining and Railroad Park, Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, Mamtou & Pike’s Peak Railway, Museum of Northwest Colorado, Platte Valley Trolley, Pueblo Railway Museum, Ridgway Railroad Museum, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, The Ski Train, and Windsor Museum.

Lastly, if you are planning a trip to Colorado to either railfan or enjoy the sites and sounds of the state’s many museums and tourist railroads don’t forget to stop by beautiful Denver Union Station in downtown Denver. It is well worth the drive to see! While it still serves Amtrak’s California Zephyr and Southwest Chief, as well as the seasonal Ski Train, plans for the station’s future include it becoming the city’s hub of its ever-growing commuter rail system.

In any event, the state’s beauty alone is well worth a visit to the Centennial State, whether your trip's plans call for Colorado railroading or not! All in all there is plenty to do and see all across the state so you are bound to have a wonderful visit whatever you decide to do.