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Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad Trip 7/12/2009

I arose and after breakfast, drove west on US Highway 24 bound for Leadville. My first stop was just before Buena Vista.

The former Denver and Rio Grande Western main line that has been rail banked for an uncertain future. I then stopped in Buena Vista when I spotted something in the city park.

St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern caboose 157 built by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1890 which became Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 14634 in 1904 then Burlington Northern 11086 in 1970. The current rendition is in honor of a local railroad, the Colorado Midland, although they never owned it.

Reality settled in when I walked behind the caboose and discovered it was CB&Q 14634.

Denver, Leadville and Gunnison station, which became Denver, South Park and Pacific and was moved to this location in 2003. I continued to Leadville and found the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad station where I parked.

Originating in "the highest incorporated city in North America," the LC&S takes passengers along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern lines to the Continental Divide. But, as the old adage states, "It's not the destination, but the journey that's important." This journey is full of breath-taking panoramas across the Arkansas River Valley and humorous narratives about Leadville's colorful past. Mining and railroading were a large part of the local history, and today's passengers will find it easy to step back in time on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern. So, just sit back and enjoy a trip through our website, then join us this summer to live the REAL life...ride the train!

Adventure, relaxation and sightseeing cannot be topped when riding in the Rocky Mountains on board the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. This two-and-a-half hour adventure through the untamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest is not to be forgotten. Family and friends of all ages have a chance to engage in learning about the historic Leadville, Colorado home to legends like Molly Brown and Horace, Augusta and Baby Doe Tabor, Guggenheims and at one time Doc Holiday.

The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad travels north along the Arkansas River Valley, it raises up 1,000 feet off the valley floor so that you will have some spectacular views of Freemont Pass and the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert. Also, take time to hear about the fascinating history of the railroads, ghost stories and tales of the wild from the conductor on board the trip. Other highlights include a chance to meet the engineer, take a tour of the caboose and engine. If you come in July and August warm weather exceeds expectations at 75 degrees, it is not surprising to find snow through June and in late September. Although cool, the fall colors are not to be missed with amazing displays of gold, red and orange Aspen trees lighting up the mountain side. Bring a picnic lunch and eat on the train if you wish, but be sure to not forget your cameras and jackets.

The Colorado and Southern Railway was an American Class I railroad in the western United States that operated independently from 1898 to 1908, then as part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad until it was absorbed into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1981.

The railway began as the consolidation of bankrupt railroads on 1898. The Colorado Central Railroad and Cheyenne and Northern Railway were brought together to form the Union Pacific, Denver and Gulf Railway in 1890. When Union Pacific went bankrupt in 1893 they were separated from the Union Pacific and united with the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison Railway and others, by Frank Trumbull to form the Colorado and Southern Railroad in 1898. In 1908 the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad bought control of the C&S. It would later merge into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1981.

At the end of 1970, it operated 692 miles of road on 1,116 miles of track; that year it reported 1,365 million ton-miles of revenue freight. In 1980 route-miles had dropped to 678 but ton-miles had ballooned to 7230 million: Powder River coal had arrived.

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. The FW&D was established as a separate company because Texas law required that railroads operating within its borders must be incorporated within that state.

The Colorado and Southern narrow gauge lines were formed in 1898 from the Colorado Central and the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroads. The narrow gauge had four distinct lines: the Platte Canyon Line from Denver, Colorado to Como, Colorado, the Gunnison Line from Como to Gunnison, Colorado via Alpine Tunnel, Highline between Como and Leadville, Colorado, and the Clear Creek line from Denver to Silver Plume, Colorado. Major branch lines were the Baldwin branch between Gunnison and Baldwin; the Keystone from Dickey, Colorado to Keystone, Colorado; the Blackhawk branch between Forks Creek and Central City, Colorado; the Alma Branch from Como to Alma, Colorado; and the Morrison Branch from Denver to Morrison, Colorado. The Colorado and Southern narrow never owned a new engine, all motive power coming from the former companies.

The Colorado and Southern narrow gauge was slowly abandoned piece by piece for 33 years between 1910 and 1943. The first line to close was part of the Gunnison Line between Hancock and Quartz. This included Alpine Tunnel, rail was not removed until the 1940s though. The isolated track between Quartz and Gunnison and Gunnison to Baldwin was leased and later sold to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Quartz to Gunnison survived until 1936 and the Baldwin Branch lasted until 1954. The next line to be ripped up was between Garos and Buena Vista, Colorado. This left another isolated line between Buena Vista and Hancock which was abandoned four years later. Also in 1926 the Morrison Branch was removed. In 1931 part of the Blackhawk branch between Central City, Colorado and Blackhawk, Colorado was removed. Times were tough during the Great depression and by the end the narrow gauge was worn out. What was left of the former Denver South Park & Pacific between Denver and Leadville including the Alma branch and Keystone branch was removed in the Summer of 1938 excluding a short 14 mile segment between Leadville and Climax, Colorado and Denver and Waterton, Colorado. The next line to fall was between Silver Plume and Idaho Springs, Colorado in 1939 which included the famous Georgetown Loop.

In 1941 the last of the Clear Creek lines began being torn up in May of that year between Golden and Idaho Springs. This included the Blackhawk branch. The dual gauge third rail that allowed narrow gauge trains to run between Denver and Golden was also removed. The segment between Denver and Golden still exists today to serve the Coors Brewery. Most of the track was removed from Waterton to Chatfield, Colorado in 1942 and the rest was converted to standard gauge, ending all narrow gauge service out of Denver. The last narrow gauge operation between Leadville and the Climax mines was converted to standard gauge due to heavy traffic from World War II. The last Colorado and Southern narrow gauge train, pulled by engine 76, ran the 28 mile roundtrip on August 25, 1943. The next day standard gauge trains began hauling the load. The C&S narrow gauge was now part of history.

In contrast to the preserved Denver and Rio Grande Western narrow gauge equipment and infrastructure, few traces of the Colorado & Southern remain. Today there are five surviving Locomotives: C&S 31 is at the Colorado Railroad Museum painted as Denver Leadville and Gunnison 191, C&S 71 is on display in Central City, C&S 9 is on display in Breckenridge, C&S 60 is on display in Idaho Springs and C&S 74 is currently on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. Two roundhouses survive in Como and Leadville. Rolling stock has been scattered across the United States with some on display in Colorado, on mail car found its way to Nebraska and some boxcars are on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad in Alaska. Remaining water towers are the French Gulch tank near Leadville, Bakers tank near Breckenridge, and Halfway tank near Alpine Tunnel. The Georgetown Loop was rebuilt in the 1980s and is active in the summer months.

he Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad is another of Colorado's many tourist railroads operating over lines that once sought the riches the region had to offer, and just like the others operates through the spectacular Rocky Mountain Range, departing each trip from the historic mining town of Leadville at the former Colorado & Southern restored depot. The LC&S operates on trackage that was once part of the Colorado & Southern's vast narrow-gauge lines in the area and while it is the only tourist railroad not to offer steam locomotives powering its trains it does offer very reasonable prices for its trips (which is one reason folks continue to return). So, if you are in the area vacationing or visiting nearby Denver considering swinging by to see this railroad, which provides unparalleled views of the Rocky Mountains.

The Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad has its beginnings dating back to 1980 when the Burlington Northern, successor to C&S parent Chicago, Burlington & Quincy sold off its depot, branch line, and all local rolling stock around Leadville, which was purchased by interests that would go on to form the LC&S. The earliest history of C&S's silver mining branches dated back to the Colorado & Clear Creek Railroad chartered in 1865 (later renamed the Colorado Central Railway). At the time the region was becoming a major producer of silver (and to a lesser extent, gold) and the Union Pacific, which originally owned these mining branches, looked to exploit it. The Colorado Central later incorporated the Georgetown, Breckenridge & Leadville Railway to continue marching southwest in an attempt to reach additional mines and the towns they created.

By 1898 the Colorado & Southern Railway was created to takeover bankrupt properties operated by Union Pacific, which included all of its mining branches. By this time the lines were operated primarily by two companies the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railway and the Denver, Leadville & Gunnison Railway (which the LC&S now operates). Unfortunately, the properties were no longer as profitable as they had once been due to the passage of the Sherman Act in 1890 that looked to regulate the silver mining industry (there was too much being produced). While the C&S worked to standard gauge much of these mining branches, by the 1940s most had been abandoned or sold.

Today, when riding the Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad it operates on a route that rises over 1,000 feet from the Arkansas River Valley, travels through Freemont Pass and provides for views of Colorado's two largest mountain peaks, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert. Overall the line operates through the San Isabel National Forest and lasts for more than two hours covering about 21 miles round-trip. Aside from the Georgetown Loop Railroad, it is the last remaining section of the Colorado & Southern's mining branches still in operation.

For power the LC&S uses a single Electro-Motive Division diesel locomotive with trains departing the restored Leadville depot (a D&RGW freight depot also remains in the town). Currently, the LC&S operates a schedule that runs between late May and early October. They also offer extras such as riding in the locomotive and caboose (for a small additional fee), as well as special events throughout the year including photo ops, wildflower trains, a rare night ride and river rafting packages.

Colorado Southern 2-8-0 641 built by American Locomotive Company in 1906; the last run of which was September 12, 1962, before it was put on display near the Leadville station. 78 1/2 years of steam on the high line came to the end.

This sign tells the steam engine's history.

Colorado and Southern Leadville station built in 1893.

The train came from their storage area towards the station.

Ready for the day's passengers.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern GP9 1714, ex. Burlington Northern 1714, nee Northern Pacific 241 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1955.

Our train for the trip today, whose consist was GP9 1714, Leadville, Colorado and Southern open air car 1001, Leadville, Colorado and Southern covered coach 1002, Leadville, Colorado and Southern concession car 1003, Leadville, Colorado and Southern covered coach 1004, Leadville, Colorado and Southern open car 1005, Leadville, Colorado and Southern covered open car 1006, Leadville, Colorado and Southern covered open car 1007 and Leadville, Colorado and Southern caboose 1008. I visited the station and picked up my ticket.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern caboose 1008, ex. Burlington Northern 10073, nee Great Northern Railway X153 built by International Car in 1969, had something special on it.

The caboose has a snow plough.

The rear of our train.

The former Colorado & Southern freight house built in 1883.

The view down the tracks looking north.

The train and Leadville station.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern open air car 1005, built from a flat car, in which I would ride.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern covered coach 1006 built from a flat car.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern open air coach 1004 built from a flat car.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern concession car 1003, nee Great Northern 50 foot boxcar 1380xx built by Pacific Car and Foundry in 1965.

Passengers waiting to board and at 9:30 AM, boarding commenced.

More passengers would board until our departure at 10:00 AM.

Looking down East 9th Street.

The interior of the concession car which has restrooms at one end.

View of the open air car in which I would be riding.

At 10:00 AM the train started moving with the engine pushing us the whole trip up the grade to near Climax.

The former Colorado and Southern freight house.

The three-story red brick building is the old St. Vincent Hospital where Doc Holliday stayed during his tuberculosis eposide from "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral".

Turquoise Lake.

Mount. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado, at 14,443 feet.

Mount Massive, the second highest mountain in Colorado, at 14,421 feet.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern caboose, nee Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 13703 built by Morrison in 1969; Burlington Northern caboose 10008, nee Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 13698 built by Morrison in 1969; Burlington Northern caboose 10239, nee Great Northern X79 built by International Car in 1963, as well as a flanger.

This flanger would not do much good against the amount of snow that falls here.

The Leadville engine house.

Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad GP9 1918, ex. Burlington Northern 1918, nee Northern Pacific 333, built by Electro-Motive Division in 1957, the back-up engine on this railroad.

The wye at Leadville.

We rounded a few curves, showing the caboose leading our train.

The engine pushing hard.

The concession car rolling along.

Buried Leadville mine drainage tunnels and electrical power lines.

Mt. Zion is the peak across the valley.

The Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains.

Exposed glacial debris is seen in this cut.

Clouds in the sky.

Track car set-off track.

Baby Allison was making her first train trip.

Looking down into the Arkansas River Valley.

Buckeye Peak.

Interesting patterns in the trees across the valley.

More views down into the valley.

Buckeye Peak.

Mt. Buckskin.

The valley made a turn.

On the approach to Birdseye Curve.

Our train on the Birdseye Curve.

Interesting trees.

The four wheel drive road over Mosquito Pass.

Looking down into the valley.

The old electrical line to the Climax Molybdenum Mine.

This curve allows one to see both ends of the train.

Looking down into the Arkansas River Valley.