THE LEGENDARY LOOP -- GEORGETOWN'S HISTORIC RAILROAD

By Pam North

Just a few miles southwest over the hills from Gilpin County is a
spectacular narrow gauge train ride called the Georgetown Loop
Railroad.  This train travels a historic route between the towns of
Georgetown and Silver Plume, both rich in mining and railroad lore.

The original railroad reached Georgetown in 1877, with plans to extend
into Leadville, but that goal was ultimately abandoned.  Instead, the
railroad provided valuable passenger and freight service for the
mining camps between Denver and Silver Plume.  At the turn of the
century, passengers often rode the train as a pleasurable day
excursion, and the "loop," a marvel of engineering skill, was
recognized as one of the most complex feats in the world.

The railroad is narrow gauge, meaning the rails are 3 feet apart, as
opposed to the traditional 4 feet- 8 inch width of standard gauge.
Narrow gauge was a more sensible choice back in the late 1800s.  The
not quite 2-feet difference was a substantial cost reduction when
stretched out over several miles, and the scaled-down equipment, also
more cost-efficient, could negotiate tighter curves and climb steeper
grades.

Silver Plume and Georgetown lie only two miles apart, but the
difference in their elevations is over 600 feet.  A straight-line
route between the two towns would have had to negotiate a grade of
over 6%, an impossibility for a railroad.  To compensate for the
incline, the rail line twists and turns over 4 1/2 miles of track to
achieve the change in elevation.  The highlight of the trip is the
Devil's Gate Viaduct, a trestle almost 300 feet long and a formidable
95 feet high above Clear Creek, which forms a spiraling curve where
the track actually crosses over itself and provides a lofty view of
Rocky Mountain terrain.  The remarkable engineering and panoramic
scenery combine to make this ride a really memorable experience, and
begs for a camera to record it.

Change is an inevitable part of the world, and the advent and
increasing popularity of the automobile, coupled with the collapse of
the mining industry, spelled obsolescence for the Georgetown Loop
Railroad.  The track and bridges were dismantled and sold for scrap in
1939.  The construction of Interstate Highway 70 almost obliterated
the historic railroad bed itself, as that was the original site
planned for the road.  Intervention by the Colorado Historical Society
fortunately was successful in changing the proposed course of the
highway to a slightly more northward parallel route, which, as it
turned out, had the benefit of being a better location for the road,
besides sparing the railbed.  In 1975, steam returned to the rebuilt
Georgetown Loop Railroad, again with the aid and direction of the
Colorado Historical Society.  With the assistance of many entities
(including the Navy Seabees in laying the track), the restoration of
the railroad and Devil's Gate Viaduct was achieved.  The Devil's Gate
High Bridge was dedicated in 1984, just 100 years after the
construction of the original trestle.  Two steam engines, and a few
old railroad cars, reconstructed to accomodate passengers, are an
integral part of the current train, which follows the original route
and offers a similar experience as that enjoyed by the visitors of
yesteryear.

In 1999, a portion of the old Denver & Rio Grande Western train line
was reopened by the same operators of the Georgetown Loop.  This
12-mile scenic line winds through Colorado's Royal Gorge.

Trains depart daily at regularly scheduled times every 1 hour and 20
minutes from May 26th through October 7th, from both the Georgetown
and Silver Plume points.  The round-trip takes approximately 1 hour
and 10 minutes.  An accompanying 2 1/2-hour tour that descends 500
feet down into the Lebanon Silver Mine is also an option.  Rates are
$14.50 for adults, $9.50 for children 3-15, and children under 3 are
free if traveling in the lap of an adult.  No pets are allowed.  An
additional fee is charged for the mine tour.  The Visitor Information
Center features a railroad display and interpretive exhibits.  For
more information and reservations call (888) 456-6777.

A trip to the heart of the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic
District, and a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, is a great way to
spend a day just a short distance away, and exploring the unique fun of
railroad travel is something that shouldn't be missed.