• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Colorado Train Rides Durango and Silverton Railroad Locomotive
The end of the line, Silverton. Photo: Mike McBey

Colorado Railroads & Train Rides

1
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Colorado has a rich history of railroads and trains. Today, you can take a passenger train ride across the state via Amtrak, or a historic tour on a narrow gauge track. Most trains offer passenger service during most of the year.

Amtrak and RTD Passenger Trains in Colorado

Today, you can take a railroad trip across the state via Amtrak, or a tour on a narrow gauge track. Sometimes you need to get from A to B and a train is a perfect way to accomplish this. Amtrak runs two train routes through Colorado. Denver’s RTD Light Rail transports passengers across the metro area and to Denver International Airport.

Amtrak Rail Raton Pass Colorado

Amtrak Rail – Colorado

RTD Light Rail Denver Colorado

RTD Rail-Light Rail – Denver Metro

Historic Train Rides in Colorado

From narrow gauge to cog railways, you can find a number of track types in the Rockies. Most of the narrow gauge tracks were chosen became space was limited high in the mountains. Several of the historic routes still operate.

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

CLOSED | Rio Grande Scenic Railroad – Alamosa-La Veta

Cripple Creek Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railway

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad – Antonito

Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Fort Collins Municipal Railway

Fort Collins Municipal Railway

Image of a train on the Georgetown Loop Railroad in Colorado

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Leadville Colorado Southern Railroad

Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad

Pikes Peak Cog Railway Manitou Springs Colorado

Pikes Peak Cog Railway – Manitou Springs

Platte Valley Trolley

Platte Valley Trolley – Denver

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Royal Gorge Route Railroad – Cañon City

Tiny Town Railroad Morrison Colorado

Tiny Town & Railroad – Morrison

Additional Railroad Museums

Learn about Colorado’s locomotive past at railroad museums. Several historic railroads provide small museums, featuring train artifacts and exhibits. Both Golden and Pueblo have large museums dedicated to the region’s railroad history.

Colorado Railroad Museum

Colorado Railroad Museum – Golden

Pikes Peak Trolley Museum in Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak Trolley Museum – Colorado Springs

Pueblo Railway Museum

Pueblo Railway Museum

Featured Railroads

Pikes Peak Cog Railway, CO

Ride the Colorado Rails this Winter

If you’re looking for a truly magical winter experience in Colorado, nothing beats riding a train…

Ride the Colorado Rails this WinterRead More

Colorado Railroad History Denver & Rio Grande Western K-37

Colorado’s Fascinating Railroad History

Today, Colorado’s old railroad tracks and passenger cars might look like nothing more than curious relics…

Colorado’s Fascinating Railroad HistoryRead More

image of durango and silverton train

All Aboard! Colorado’s Top 10 Train Rides

Colorado’s scenic train rides are some of the best in the country. From utility to tourist…

All Aboard! Colorado’s Top 10 Train RidesRead More

Colorado Christmas Train Rides Georgetown Loop Railroad North Pole

Tis The Season for Christmas Trains in Colorado

What Christmas would be complete without hot cocoa, a trip to the North Pole, or a…

Tis The Season for Christmas Trains in ColoradoRead More

Guide to Railroads and Train Rides in Colorado

Rio Grande Scenic Railway Alamosa Train Depot
Rio Grande Scenic Railway at Alamosa Train Depot. Photo: Don Barrett

Colorado operates a number of popular train rides, though most of its railroads are used for freight. There are a few passenger train options that will advance someone from A to B, though most of them are scenic loops that are more for sightseeing than transportation.

Amtrak has two lines that pass through Colorado. One in the southeast, passing through Trinidad. And the other passes completely from east to west, making its grand stop at Denver Union Station along the way.

Whether you’re traveling across the country by train or checking out historical railroads that played an important role in modernizing the United States, Colorado railroads are one of the most popular attractions to visit. During the 19th century, U.S. Presidents pushed for the completion of an intricate network of trains to carry people, cargo, and even livestock, from coast to coast.

Fueled by the mining boom, Colorado’s railroad history is fascinating, beginning in the 1860s.

Many of the Colorado railroads that are still being used are being used for their original purposes (usually freight). There are many train lines that grace the local railroads that are still in use. Amtrak is the only passenger train system that runs on Colorado railroads, other than a few scenic train routes.

Train Union Station Denver Colorado Transportation
Train at Denver Union Station. Photo: Robert Rynerson

However, over seven different lines are still being used for freight and cargo. Some of these include the Utah Railway, Kyle Railroad, BNSF, the Union Pacific Rail, and the Colorado and Wyoming Railway.

Out of all of these, the Union Pacific Railroad is one of the oldest railroad systems that runs on the Colorado railroads. Established in 1862, this ancient train company has been bringing freight to almost every corner of the country.

Modern freight trains might be fascinating for train enthusiasts, but not for the average tourist. No, tourists generally fall in love with the mystique of historical trains. Most of the railroads that tourists care to learn about our now-defunct railroads that once carried settlers, cowboys, and travelers to different towns.

Colorado’s Historic and Scenic Train Rides

Alamosa CO Train Station
Train Station in Alamosa. Photo: Milan Suvajac

Another fun member of the group of defunct trains that once rode the Colorado railroads is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This section began in the early 1880s and was created to carry cargo, supplies, mining goods, and even people from local mines to major cities.

Though it was once an extensive network of tracks, it has been reduced to a single line. You can still ride this narrow gauge railroad as a tourist. Combine a train ride with zip lining, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, ATVing, Jeeping, rock climbing, or mountain biking.

There’s no doubt that trains fueled America’s expansion out west. Colorado’s mining history accelerated the tracks laid to remote mountain towns, many of which still run trains today. Some trains run year round, while others operate during the summer and fall.

Colorado Railroad Yampa Valley Moffat Tunnel 1966
The Yampa Valley at Moffat Tunnel railroad in 1966. Photo: Herbaert Maruska

Parents who have small children who adore trains will love a train ride. Quaint, fun, and chock-full of history, it’s very hard to go wrong with taking a stop at one of the local historic railroad museums in Colorado. You can rest assured that people traveling with you will be all-aboard with your decision to visit them.

Many of the tourist trains offer unique events, like dinner trains and Oktoberfests. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad has a fun murder mystery ride, which runs from late May through October.

The Georgetown Loop Railroad connects the former mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume. You can take this scenic two-mile loop and combine it with a tour of the Lebanon Mine. Two more historic mining towns, Cripple Creek and Victor is connected via the Cripple Creek & Victor NGRR

America’s highest train is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. It summits Pikes Peak, a 14,114-foot peak in El Paso County. Trips depart daily from charming Manitou Springs. Another year-round train is the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad in southern Colorado. Departing Alamosa, it’s the highest and longest route on standard gauge rail.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway Vintage Colorado Historic Train
Vintage Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Photo: Robert Huffstutter

The highest and longest coal-fired, steam-operated narrow gauge railroad in the U.S. is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. It runs 64 miles along the Colorado and New Mexico border. Chugging along from late May through early October, the Leadville Colorado Southern Railroad is a unique trip that allows your dog on the train. Guests can meet the engineer and tour the caboose and engine.

The Front Range cities of Denver and Fort Collins feature trolleys. Take a ride on the Fort Collins Municipal Railway, a 30-minute trek from City Park to Old Town Fort Collins. Take in Downtown Denver via the Platte Valley Trolley, a 1986 replica of a 1903 Brill open street car.

Visitors can stop by the Denver Rail Heritage Society, learn about this cute trolley’s history, and also experience the history by actually taking a ride on the centuries-old streetcar. Rides are very inexpensive, and all proceeds go to local historical sites.

Latest in Railroads

Overlooking snow on Pikes Peak with view of highway switchbacks in distance

Things to do at Colorado’s Pikes Peak

Known as “America’s Mountain”, Pikes Peak features an impressive summit of 14,115 feet and plenty of…

Things to do at Colorado’s Pikes PeakRead More

Royal Gorge Bridge Cañon City Colorado

Things to do at Colorado’s Royal Gorge

Located less than fifteen miles from downtown Cañon City, the Royal Gorge is an impressive site…

Things to do at Colorado’s Royal GorgeRead More

hotel colorado at christmas

Top Colorado Christmas Celebrations ’22

Christmas in Colorado is a truly magical time of year with a blanket of snow, cold…

Top Colorado Christmas Celebrations ’22Read More

image of gondola at breckenridge ski resort

Things to do in November in Colorado

November in Colorado is a time to fully embrace the upcoming winter. Activities switch from pavement…

Things to do in November in ColoradoRead More

View more railroad articles

Other Colorado Transportation Methods

People depart from the Colorado Bus Ride on 16th Street Mall

Colorado Buses

Colorado Commercial Airports Telluride Regional Airport Runway

Colorado Commercial Airports

Denver Yellow Cab tax in the snow in Denver, CO

Colorado Shuttles, Taxis & Ride Sharing

red SUV rental from Denver in Eagle, CO winter snow

Colorado Vehicle Rentals

Related Activities

Another way to see the sights is by car. Combine a scenic drive with other fun activities.

Animas Forks Ghost Town

Colorado Ghost Towns

Argo Gold Mine

Colorado Mine Tours & Gold Panning

Pikes Peak Highway

Colorado Scenic Drives

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Colorado Transportation

  • All Transportation
  • Airports
  • Buses
  • Shuttles, Taxis & Ride Sharing
  • Trains
  • Vehicle Rentals

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 · Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise