The Georgetown Loop -- 2017 Narrow Gauge Convention
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Published 2017-10-08
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From the web:
The Georgetown Loop Railroad was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions. This spectacular stretch of 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railroad was completed in 1884 and considered an engineering marvel for its time. The thriving mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume lie 2 miles (3.2 km) apart in the steep, narrow canyon of Clear Creek in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver.
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Engineers designed a corkscrew route that traveled nearly twice that distance to connect them, slowly gaining more than 600 feet (183 m) in elevation. The route included horseshoe curves, grades of up to 4%, and four bridges across Clear Creek, including the massive Devil’s Gate High Bridge.
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The Georgetown Breckenridge and Leadville Railroad had been formed in 1881 under the Union Pacific Railroad. The Loop portion of the line was the crowning segment of the line, crossing the top of the gorge on a 95-foot (29 m) high trestle.
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Originally part of the larger line of the Colorado Central Railroad constructed in the 1870s and 1880s, in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush, this line was also used extensively during the silver boom of the 1880s to haul silver ore from the mines at Silver Plume. In 1893, the Colorado and Southern Railway took over the line and operated it for passengers and freight until 1938.
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Between 1906 and 1918, the Georgetown Loop connected with the Argentine Central Railway in Silver Plume, by which tourists could continue onward to the summit of Mount McClellan. Prior to 1916, the Argentine Central also served several large silver mines on the east side of Argentine Pass.
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The line was later dismantled, but was restored in the 1980s to operate during summer months as a tourist railroad, carrying passengers using historic 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge steam locomotives.
www.georgetownlooprr.com/
www.37nngc.com/
All Comments (21)
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11:38 is that a C&TS boxcar? How did that get there?
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The blue button comes up in full screen mode but not the other display modes. Thanks for visiting and doing a show Georgetown Loop. Brings back great memories.
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The Georgetown Loop is great railroad. I have went there since July 2016 before I went on the Platte Valley Trolley.
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Colorado & Southern 71 is a Narrow Gauge 2-8-0 “Consolidation” built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1896. It pulled trains through out the C&S system. Until being retired from service. It was restored back to operation by the Central City Narrow Gauge Railroad. 71 ran at the Central City Railroad until the late 1990s. Today, 71 is on display at Central City, Colorado.
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You're right about the binge watching experience. My wife has been hospitalized since Tues. (Sunday, Christmas Eve now) and I've rapidly worked my way through most of your catalog. You and the Mrs. have the style exactly right - less rivet counting and more essence, just very entertaining ,like spending good times with friends. Thanks.
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The Narrow Gauge Convention was a gold mine of material. Really enjoying seeing all of this Colorado railroad history.
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Gosh! As a Dutch Australian I bought 7 acres of land in Steamboat Springs back in 1983 and sold it in 1988 never having built the log cabin dream and thereby having access to all the incredible screwing around in that spectacular area. Your videos show me what I missed out on. Wonderful to watch your videos though. Always beautifully presented.
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You two are leading the life I've always want to live! Thanks for all you do!
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Call in sick lol that's funny! Another beautiful video ...
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You're right about needing to call in sick! When I first found your channel I spent the better part of a whole weekend binge watching videos!!!
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I'm just tired not able to re-tire yet! Thanks again and what great fun! I appreciate your videos.
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I'm still catching up on your videos. I've been to Georgetown many times when I use to live in Denver. But I've rode by driven by that loop many times since the 70's. Fantastic video BTW!
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Great video series. Keep up the great work guys.
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Great episode, I've been looking forward to this one since you mentioned it in the convention overview video. The Georgetown Loop Railroad certainly is a nice little operation.
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What a railroad! Beautiful scenery.... The spark arrester on the smoke stack is really a cool invention, when you think about it. Keeps the hot cinders from causing fires along the route by sending them up and then down that tube... discharging the cooled down cinders just along the track. Makes for some interesting chuffs though! ;) I saw that one of the locomotives was labeled as #9.... and I couldn't help but think of that old Roger Miller song from 1965.... "Engine Engine, Number 9"......... It would be interesting to figure out just how many songs have a train in them! LOL... My fav being "Love Train" by the O'Jays!! :D Every train ride is an adventure!!
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Excellent. And your editing is fantastic. The music is perfect and the editing of your commentary over the music is superior to many I have heard on PBS. Great job.
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Another great video guys. The tracks through the trees 🌲 makes for a beautiful setting, and I liked the narratives as well. Looks like a nice set of new wheels. It gives you more space for hauling toys back to the ranch!
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when im down in the dumps i just click on your videos and it makes me happy again
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Old No. 9 is my favorite engine. It use to opporate at Midwest Old Thrashers but we traded Number 9 for number 12. Shays are by far my favorite steam engine
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"You have covered this very well, Young Padawan.."The force was with you on this adventure. Thank you for that vintage footage of #71. Made the afternoon. Carry on with your most excellent pursuit of Screwing Around.
