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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


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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.

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A side tour is the Lebanon Mine. You can exit the train
and tour this facility, catching the next train to finish
your trip.

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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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After arriving at the Georgetown Depot, the shay is
cut off and run-around to the front of the train.

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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.

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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.

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Crossing the Devil's Gate Bridge, this time with the
shay on the correct end of the train.

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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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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

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GE 52-tonner #130

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GE 52-tonner #140

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A fairly good size string of rolling stock is positioned
in the Silver Plume yard, including several Cabooses.

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One of two Baldwin 2-8-0's #44

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GE 47-tonner #15

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Some MOW equipment