The Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park

The Georgetown Loop Railroad was completed in 1884, and was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions. It’s a true engineering marvel because it takes a narrow gauge train which runs between two historic mining towns up 600 feet in elevation in a distance of only two miles. The way they accomplished this difficult task on a narrow gauge (3 feet wide) track was amazing. Beginning at Georgetown and traveling to Silver Plume, the builders designed a “corkscrew” route that made the train travel twice the distance, but also allowed for the Georgetown Loop to gradually gain more than 600 feet in elevation.

In 1959, a century after the discovery of gold in Georgetown Colorado (1859) the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park was created by the Colorado Historical Society. Rail line construction began in 1973 with donated materials from the Union Pacific Railroad to create a railroad restoration as part of its 978-acre Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park. A replica of the High Bridge trestle was completed in 1984, in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its original construction.

Today the Georgetown Loop is once again a popular tourist attraction and an exceptional way to see the Clear Creek Valley. Along the route visitors may stop for a guided tour of the historic Lebanon Silver Mine, and view wildlife in its natural habitat. The train park includes an 1884 depot, two 1860s mines, an 1871 mill building, four reconstructed mine buildings, a locomotive maintenance building, the 1874 Pohle House, and a new rolling stock shelter. The Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park and its surrounding communities provide the perfect way to spend a day! At either end of the railroad line is a wonderful step into history, with Georgetown at one end – featuring all the charm of the old gold boom days and the quaint town of Silver Plume, with its historic buildings and surroundings. This Colorado attraction is not far from Denver – about a 40 minute drive up I-70. The Georgetown Loop Railroad and Park are open daily through the summer season beginning May 1st. Visitors will be happy to know the Georgetown Loop offers many seasonal train rides with different themes year round. For current details, visit the Georgetown Loop website.