The Platte Valley Trolley is an heritage streetcar line in Denver, Colorado, operated by the Denver Tramway Heritage Society which began service on July 4, 1989. The trolley line originates in Confluence Park, the historic location where the City of Denver was founded, at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek River. The trolley is located at approximately 1400 Platte Street in Denver, behind REI's flagship store. Visitors can reach the trolley from Platte Street or from 15th Street in downtown Denver.
The trolley operates on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, through Labor Day, with the first run leaving Confluence Park at 11:30 AM and the last run of the day leaving at 4:30 PM. In addition, the trolley will operate on holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day), and at special events, including Children's Museum of Denver First Tuesdays, the South Platte River Festival, Denver Broncos home games, and the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown between Colorado State University and the University of Colorado.
Tickets are priced at $5 for adults and $2 for children, and may be purchased from the trolley motorman or conductor at any of the trolley's stops (REI/Confluence Park, Downtown Aquarium, or Children's Museum of Denver).
The line runs south on the west side of the Platte River to Lakewood Gulch. Prior to 2007, the line continued west along Lakewood Gulch (approximately West 13th Avenue) and ran on the old interurban shortline tracks of the Denver and Intermountain Railroad to Sheridan Boulevard. The line currently stops near where RTD built their new west corridor of the FasTracks light rail project, which opened on April 26, 2013. Future plans for the trolley include expansion into the planned redevelopment of Lower Colfax. On April 22, 2013, the Denver City Council approved the Sun Valley Neighborhood Decatur-Federal Station Area Plan; as part of the redevelopment of Lower Colfax, the Platte Valley Trolley will be extended all the way to the Decatur-Federal Light Rail Station.
The line passes a number of historic and tourist attractions including the Children's Museum, the Downtown Aquarium, Sports Authority Field at Mile High (home of the Denver Broncos) and Elitch Gardens, and views of the Denver skyline are visible all through the 25-minute narrated historical tour. The Platte Valley Trolley recalls the open car streetcars of an earlier era in Denver, which at one point in the history of Denver was the primary means of transportation throughout the city. In circa 1920, there were a group of six "Seeing Denver" streetcars that traversed the rails. A number of buildings in Denver, though currently re-purposed, were once key structures in the trolley system, and many retain their original signage. Today, in addition to regular operations, the Platte Valley Trolley is available for charters and special tours. More information can be found at the Platte Valley Trolley website.
The Platte Valley Trolley operates a 1986 replica of a 1903 Brill open streetcar. The frame and steel components of the car used in the construction are from a 1924 Melbourne, Australia streetcar. The car was made by the Gomaco Trolley Company in Ida Grove, Iowa. An on-board Cummins 6BT diesel electric generator provides the 600 volts d.c. for the four Metropolitan-Vickers traction motors and other accessories.
My VisitAfter I finished at the Colorado Railroad Museum's 50th Birthday celebration in Golden, I drove into Denver and after trying to find the Platte Valley Trolley via the map on their website, I used the Tourist Trains Book directions and found the loading location at the Children's Museum. I went inside and bought my ticket before walking out to the boarding area. Just as I arrived, the trolley went by with the conductor saying "We'll be back at 2:10 PM" so I decided to take a few pictures.
Elitch Gardens, formerly Six Flags Denver, is across the Platte River from the trolley route.
Looking south down the tracks.
The Platte River Trolley, a replica of a turn-of-the-century, open-air "breezer" came into the station and I gave the conductor my ticket, who punched it and I boarded Car 1977. The crew uses a board as a way to keep passengers from falling out of the car.
A rebuilt wooden roller coaster at the park.
Invesco Field at Mile High is home of the NFL Denver Broncos.
The Platte River.
The old power plant.
At the south end of the line, one stands up and the crew flips the seats so you ride forward the entire trip.
Another view of the old power plant.
Interstate 25 bridge.
The Denver skyline.
Running along the Platte River.
Elitch Gardens.
A bicycle/walking path joined our route.
The tower at Elitch Gardens.
Downtown Denver. The Trolley reached the north end and we were allowed to detrain for a few minutes. A couple of items caught my eye.
Santa Fe caboose 999010, nee Santa Fe 1932 built by American Car and Foundry in 1930.
United States Army 25 ton switcher 7765 built by General Electric in 1943. It was used on Kelly AFB at San Antonio, Texas and had been part of the collection of the National Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, Missouri until June 3, 2009 when it was delivered to the Platte Valley Trolley for display.
Platte Valley Trolley 1977.
Downtown Denver after the seats had been flipped. The Trolley headed south again.
Confluence Park where people swim in the Platte River.
The Platte River with Elitch Gardens across.
Elitch Gardens and Invesco Field behind.
The Pepsi Center, home of the NBA's Denver Nuggets and NHL's Colorado Avalanche.
Three views of this beautiful car 1977. I left the Trolley and as I drove on Interstate 25, saw that the sky was black with lightning strikes and on departing the Denver region, ran into the worst thunderstorm in years. Interstate 25 slowed to 10 miles an hour in places with plenty of water on the pavement. I managed to catch up to a southbound Union Pacific coal train in a heavy shower and exited the freeway south of Castle Rock, pulling off the side road and reversing in with a good view of the tracks. As the train neared, I rolled down the window.
The camera stayed dry but the inside of the door got wet as I photographed this loaded Union Pacific coal train from the Powder River Basin. I drove to Palmer Lake and waited until at least one train came.
BNSF 9191 West, an empty coal train, was on its way back to the Powder River Basin. Through more heavy thunderstorms, I drove to Motel 6 in Colorado Springs and checked in for the night. Tomorrow, the Leadville train and Cripple Creek & Victor Railroad.
| RETURN TO THE MAIN PAGE |