Golden to Silver Plume, CO

This was a 3-foot narrow gauge line that was built from Denver, west through the Clear Creek canyon as far west as Georgetown and Silver Plume in 1883 and 1884. It was originally constructed by Union Pacific but eventually was transferred to Burlington subsidiary Colorado and Southern, and tapped mines in the area; as in other areas the mines were only profitable for a few years and freight loadings diminished over time. The line served as a scenic tourist route for several years but closed during the depression.

The segment from Silver Plume to Idaho Springs was abandoned first; the Idaho Springs to Golden was abandoned in the 1940s.

East of Golden the line was eventually standard gauged and today is still in service. The Coors Brewery (now Molson Coors) has a freight yard in the area; there is also a spur that connects to the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Much of the right-of-way between Idaho Springs and Golden was used for US Highway 6. Between Idaho Springs and Georgetown, some segments of I-70 (which was built over US 6 in part) uses the same right-of-way. Between Georgetown and Silver Plume I-70 was built on the north side of the valley; the former C&S ran on the south side. A short segment of the line, including a high trestle, was rebuilt in the 1970s and 1980s as the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The GLRR offers several daily trips over the rebuilt section during the summer tourist season.

End of track facing west at Silver Plume.
End of track facing west at Silver Plume. Photo by Mike Palmer, 6/30/2012.
Silver Plume station area, facing east.
Silver Plume station area, facing east. Photo by Mike Palmer, 6/30/2012.
Eastbound train of the Georgetown Loop Railroad entering the reb...
Eastbound train of the Georgetown Loop Railroad entering the rebuilt Devils Gate Bridge. Photo by Mike Palmer, 7/2/2012.
Track towards Georgetown as seen from Devil's Gate Bridge of the...
Track towards Georgetown as seen from Devil's Gate Bridge of the GLRR; facing east. Photo by Mike Palmer, 7/2/2012.
Right-of-way on hillside behind Georgetown Energy Museum.
Right-of-way on hillside behind Georgetown Energy Museum. Photo by Mike Palmer, 7/2/2012.
Former C&S right-of-way facing west in Idaho Springs. A plaque i...
Former C&S right-of-way facing west in Idaho Springs. A plaque in front of the building on the left noted that this mercantile warehouse was a rail customer; note the freight loading door. Photo by Mike Palmer, 7/4/2012.
Former C&S right-of-way, now called "Idahoe Alley", facing west ...
Former C&S right-of-way, now called "Idahoe Alley", facing west in Idaho Springs. Photo by Mike Palmer, 7/4/2012.
C&S engine and former UP coach on display in Idaho Springs. An o...
C&S engine and former UP coach on display in Idaho Springs. An old photo on display in the visitor's center confirmed that this location is "georgraphically accurate" and the trains did operate on this alignment. Photo by Mike Palmer, 7/4/2012.
US 6 and Clear Creek, facing west, west of Golden. The US Route ...
US 6 and Clear Creek, facing west, west of Golden. The US Route 6 is built on the C&S right-of-way in this area. Photo by Mike Palmer, 6/30/2012.
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