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Note: All
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July 16, 2000 | ||
A great entertainment opportunity relatively close to Denver (50 minutes west) is the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The Colorado Central line was abandoned in 1939 and mostly removed. Starting in 1975 the Colorado Historical Society with the assistance of several parties (including the current operator) started running steam. In 1984 the Devil's Gate Bridge was dedicated and opened five miles of the track between Georgetown and Silver Plume. The ride takes about an hour and a half departing from either Georgetown or Silver Plume (my preference). Cost is $16.50 per adult. More info can be found at www.georgetownloop.com. -Scott Phillips |
![]() click on image for larger view Power for the trip today was #12, a 1916 Lima Shay. I started at Silver Plume, the highest point in the line. The shay is being placed at the rear of the train and will be on the downhill side during out descent over the mostly 4% grade. |
![]() click on image for larger view A side tour is the Lebanon Mine. You can exit the train and tour this facility, catching the next train to finish your trip. |
![]() click on image for larger view The Devil's Gate Bridge is the most spectacular part of the trip. 100' High and about 300' in length, it gives a great view up and down the Georgetown Valley. |
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![]() click on image for larger view After arriving at the Georgetown Depot, the shay is cut off and run-around to the front of the train. |
![]() click on image for larger view We will stay at the Georgetown Depot about ten minutes while the power is moved to the head of the train. Next the train will back about 1/4 mile further downhill until we have passed underneath the Devil's Gate Bridge. |
![]() click on image for larger view Just uphill from the Georgetown Depot the engineer really starts to lay on the Whistle as we approach a Grade crossing. From both inside the cars and up on the hillside this sounds fantastic as it echoes off the walls of the valley. |
![]() click on image for larger view Crossing the Devil's Gate Bridge, this time with the shay on the correct end of the train. |
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![]() click on image for larger view Along I-70 about a half mile south of Silver Plume is a Scenic Overlook which provides an excellent view of the entire Georgetown Loop Railroad operation. A paved path goes north to Silver Plume and south to Georgetown. |
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![]() click on image for larger view Even though its only two miles directly from Georgetown to Silver Plume, the Railroad found it necessary to loop through four horseshoe curves giving a total length of 3.2 miles. The lower end is milepost 50.8, with Silver Plume at milepost 54.0. Here we are passing MP 53.0 heading uphill. |
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Equipment of the Georgetown Loop Railroad |
![]() click on image for larger view GE 52-tonner #130 |
![]() click on image for larger view GE 52-tonner #140 |
![]() click on image for larger view A fairly good size string of rolling stock is positioned in the Silver Plume yard, including several Cabooses. |
![]() click on image for larger view One of two Baldwin 2-8-0's #44 |
![]() click on image for larger view GE 47-tonner #15 |
![]() click on image for larger view Some MOW equipment |