Devil's Gate Station for the Georgetown Loop Railroad

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The gift shop at Devil's Gate

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Clear Creek flows along side the Devil's Gate Depot.

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A forgotten canoe waits by the fast running creek.

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Perfect weather for the train ride...cool with warm sunshine.

Tim has his coffee in hand. Snacks and drinks are available in the gift shop. Many who are waiting for the train bring a lunch and sit outside at the picnic tables.

Devil's Gate Depot

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We are starting at a significant elevation and will go higher.

A gradual 600+ foot elevation is gained between Devil's Gate and Silver Plume.

A really tall trestle in front of some huge mountain peaks makes our train look like a toy.

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They call this the Devil's Gate High Bridge...and for good reason. No matter how fierce the rage of Clear Creek, the trains can cross.

Built in the 1880's, this trestle along with other features of the railroad were considered engineering feats of the time.

She's coming round the mountain...isn't there a song with those words?

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We can hear her coming before she appears.

Her whistle is our cue to make our way to the platform.

Chug-a chug-a choo choo. Here she comes!

Number 9 is one of 3 engines used by the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Weighing in at 80 tons, she is one of the largest steam engines ever created. Built in 1923 in Lima, Ohio, this iron horse was used until 1966 in Tuolumne, California to haul logs out of the forest. She was brought to Georgetown in 2011 to pull the increasing number of tourists up the mountain.

Our engineer...

the guy who makes it all happen.

The chief conductor stands ready.

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Logo of the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

The Georgetown Loop opened in 1884 and was one of the first Colorado tourist attractions remaining open until 1939. Closing from financial hardships due to World War II , the railroad remained silent until its recommission in 1984.

This young man readily assists those who need extra help getting on or off the train.

He is also helpful answering any questions one may have.

I can't believe I have everyone's attention...and everyone is smiling!!

We rode in the outdoor coach which was great with nothing to obstruct our view.

This guy was so pleasant and helpful. He seems to truly enjoy his job.

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What a view!

The railroad, originally part of the Colorado Central Railroad, was built in the 1880s to haul silver ore from the mines at Silver Plume. In 1884, the Georgetown Loop began bringing tourists up the mountain until 1939 when it closed due to the war.

Looking back at the Devil's Gate Depot as we ascend the Devil's Gate High Bridge.

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Headed out into the wild, wild west.

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We are traveling through some beautiful back country.

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Crossing the roaring Clear Creek.

The Georgetown Loop is famous for its 4 bridges, horseshoe bends and 4% grade, not to mention the beautiful, unspoiled scenery.

The Everett Mining Camp.

After disembarking from the train, we took a mine tour and learned what a miner's life was like....not all that great.

Our tour of the Everett Silver Mine starts here.

Miners were assured of a job that payed about $2.00 a day. Hard, risky work for good pay. Most miners did not live past their 30s due to lung disease from Silicosis, small particles inhaled by the miners which shredded their lung tissue.

Our crew is ready to go in.

Did you know that the first hard hat was created by a miner's wife? She was worried about her husband's well-being down in the mine. Explosions were common with very little room to escape.

Austin demonstrates the tools the miners used.

Children as young as the age of 7 were employed in the mines because they were small and fast. Sometimes called Nippers, they carried tools for the miners and acted as couriers bringing messages and equipment. Often known as Powder Monkeys, they would light the fuse for the nitroglycerin explosion and then run for cover. Their pay was about 75 cents a day.

This tunnel is large compared to what the miners worked in.

Even with a flash, photography was difficult as the mine tunnels are dark with very little light to allow the camera to focus.

If you select a mine tour, bring a jacket.

The mines average 40 degrees inside. The tour will take you about 500 feet into the tunnel.

A really old, authentic mine cart.

Rats were a miner's friend. Canaries were too expensive, so the men watched the behavior of the rats that lived inside the mine and would feed them as well. If the rats were discovered dead, the men knew that not enough oxygen was available in the tunnel.

The tunnels were lit by candles back in the day.

Each miner was given 3 candles per day and each candle would last 3 hours for a 10 hour shift. The miner would blow out their candle during lunch to save their light for work.

A telephone now exists in the reconstructed tunnel, but in the mining days, each man had his own brass key ring.

Whenever he would enter the tunnel, he would place his brass ring on a hook inside the door. After his shift was over, the ring would be transferred back to the outside of the mine. This way, the managers could keep up with who was inside the mine at any given time.

Engine Number 9 crossing the bridge at the mining camp headed to Silver Plume.

Silver Plume is home to the rail yard and also has a museum dedicated to the railroad and the trains. Anyone may stop and visit.

An ancient relic of the mining era.

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Grilled hot dogs and chips were devoured after the mine tour.

The Everett Mine tour package includes the mine tour, a grilled hot dog, chips and drink, and the opportunity to pan for gold.

Panning for gold was a new adventure.

Everyone is guaranteed to find at the minimum a few flakes of gold to take home as a souvenir.

As the boys work hard to find the gold, Papi joins the team to learn about the process.

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Sadly, this fun trip is nearly over.

Crossing Devil's Gate High Bridge back to Devil's Gate Depot.