Scenic Trains Climb Heights in Colorado Springs
Vintage Railroads Offer Historic Train Rocky Mountain Rides
Oct 29, 2008
Historic trains in the great Colorado Rockies offer family friendly excursions featuring some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Railways climb to the high peaks, through mountain wilderness. Scenic trains in the Colorado Springs area include Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway and Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Canon City.
Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the world's highest cog railway. A cog railway is not a conventional railroad. Instead of a locomotive on rails, the cot railroad uses a 'cog wheel' that meshes into a special rack rail. According to the Cog Railway, this type of rail allows the train to climb much steeper grades than is possible with a standard adhesion railroad.
The Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway Company was founded in 1889. Originally the passenger tains were pulled by steam locomotive. In Teheran late 1930's the introduction of gasoline and diesel powered locomotives ushered in a new era. The owner of Broadmoor Hotel, Spencer Penrose, had aquired the railway. in 1925. Penrose began efforts to build a compact, self contained railcar.
In the 1960's the railway needed additional equipment, but General Electric Company was not interested in the project. The railway arranged for modern railcar acquisitions form Switzerland. The self contained Swiss railcars are powered by two Cummins diesel engines.
The rail trip up to Pikes Peak travels up to an elevation of 14,110 feet, so the railway cautions that passengers may experience altitude sickness and that people with certain medical conditions should consult a physician before making the journey.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway is 8.9 miles long. The round trip takes three hours and ten minutes. The journey travels along Ruston Creek in Englemann Canyon, through Hell's Gate, which is a natural gateway in the mountains. Along the way, passenger are treated to stunning mountain views, scenic pines and glimpses of wildlife.
Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway, 515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. 1-719-685-5401.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Royal Gorge, established in 1879, is the oldest scenic line in the state of Colorado, according the Royal Gorge website. Considered on the most scenic railroads in the world, the train travels along a 24 mile route through the 1,000 foot deep Royal Gorge, along the Arkansas River. Wildlife that may be spotted along the way include bald eagles, blue heron, mule deer, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and flora.
The Royal Gorge is a scenic two hour ride along a portion of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western train line. According to the history on the Royal Gorge website, the rail line was built 127 years ago. In the late 1870's, silver miners descended on the upper Arkansas valley of Colorado. The feverish activity attracted the attention of the Denver & Rio Grande and the Santa Fe railroads. The two rail lines struggled for the control of the canyon, in what became known as the Royal Gorge War. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, D&RG, won control and came to a settlement with Sante Fe. The passenger service continued on the line through 1967.
Powerful diesel locomotives pull vintage passenger cars along the Arkansas. Train trips include Vista Domes, Gourmet Lunch, Four Course Dinner, Wine Express, Wine Dinner Trains and Murder Mystery Trains.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad, 401 Water Street, Canon City, Colorado 81212. 1-888-724-5748.
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