History Colorado operates the Georgetown Loop that runs between Georgetown and Silver Plume. The Loop is about an hour away from the Denver metro area and is famous for the corkscrew loops it makes in order to gain elevation between the two mountain towns—a feat considered an engineering marvel when it was built in 1884.

The two most famous narrow-gauge railroads in the state are located further south. Now two separate routes, the present-day Cumbres & Toltec and the Durango & Silverton railroads were originally both a part of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad’s San Juan Extension. Both have been international tourist draws since their routes came into service and are National Historic Landmarks.

My first experience with the Cumbres & Toltec was in 2010 when I joined a team of historians and cultural resource professionals to assist the railroad in working towards National Historic Landmark status. It is well worth your time to tour the facilities and variety of historic rolling stock on display both in Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO, but nothing compares to the rail journey itself.

The vistas are amazing. In order to manage the difficult terrain, the route meanders across the state border 11 times, through two long tunnels, and across the varied and awe-inspiring Colorado landscape. While the journey may be more comfortable from a seat, the best experience comes from standing in one of the open-air gondola cars where a docent will share stories about the railroad. Just remember your sunscreen!

The route of the Durango & Silverton is equally impressive. In the summer the train runs from Durango to Silverton, and it makes shorter excursions to Cascade Canyon in the other seasons. While you’re in Silverton, be sure to stop by the Durango Railroad Historical Society at the Silverton Northern Engine House where they work on rolling stock and have a variety of historic rolling stock on display (many supported with History Colorado State Historical Fund grants).

What makes the Durango experience so different is the railroad’s affiliation with American Heritage Railways, which organizes a variety of special event rail experiences. The most popular and famous special event train is the Polar Express, but their original specialty train experience began with the Peanuts-themed Great Pumpkin Patch Express.

Every autumn, the train runs from Durango to a ranch in the Animas Valley where kids can meet the Peanuts characters, pick out a pumpkin to take home, and play a variety of fall festival games. The ride out is 30 minutes, you spend a little over an hour at the ranch, and then enjoy a 30 minute ride back to the depot. It is the perfect length of time for a kid’s attention span and a great way to celebrate the Fall. My kids are big fans.

Colorado’s rich rail history is alive and well across our great state. Summer through fall is the perfect time to experience some of that living history firsthand.