Bask in Rocky Mountain scenery
and mining history aboard the Leadville, Colorado &
Southern Railroad. This scenic rail line came
to be in 1980 after combining portions of the former
Denver, South Park &
Pacific, and
Colorado &
Southern railways to create one
memorable journey through Colorado's mining country. And the
founders did just that. Today, the Leadville, Colorado &
Southern Railroad has been in operation for
over 30 years, transporting passengers through spectacular
landscapes on a 21-mile round-trip route.
Each trip begins at the
depot in Leadville, built by the original operators in
1896. The region's sheer majesty becomes immediately
apparent from Leadville as the train proceeds through the
Arkansas River Valley and the San Isabel National
Forest. Nearing the end of the
line, the train approaches the Continental Divide and a
still-active mining site. The train pauses its journey, allowing
travelers a glimpse at old railroad equipment, including an
original water tank and locomotive, before following the ridgeline
back to Leadville.
Vintage diesel engines from
the 1950s head the line for this memorable journey, and passengers
have several seating options, including those in Coach and the
Lounge cars. There is a concession stand on the car in which guests
can purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, chips, candy,
and popcorn. Each trip is fully
narrated, recounting stories of the mining industry, offering tales
of the former rail lines that once traversed the landscape, and
pointing out points of interest along the way. All of this combines
with timeless scenery to create a journey that inspires on every
level.