The original line was engineered as a 'corkscrew' to gain 640 feet of elevation over just two miles of track.
The Devil's Gate High Bridge reaches a height of 95 feet above the canyon floor.
The railroad was dismantled in 1939 and reconstructed in 1973 for tourist use.
The track gauge is three feet, which was standard for mountain mining railroads in the late 1800s.
The route passes through the Clear Creek canyon, which was the epicenter of the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush.
The Lebanon Silver Mine tour allows visitors to walk 500 feet into a tunnel bored in the 1870s.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railway originally constructed in 1884 to serve silver mining camps. The route features a steep 3-percent grade, necessitating the Devil's Gate High Bridge to span the canyon. Trains travel between the towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume in the Colorado Rockies. Passengers can choose between open-air and enclosed vintage coach seating options. The experience includes an optional guided tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine, located halfway along the rail line. The railroad operates on a reconstructed path that demonstrates 19th-century engineering solutions for mountainous terrain. It is currently managed as a heritage attraction offering historical education regarding Colorado's mining history. The line remains a primary example of a 19th-century 'corkscrew' bridge design.
The view from the Devil's Gate High Bridge looking down into the canyon.
Book train tickets and mine tours together in advance, as mine entry is limited by capacity.
Check the weather forecast for Georgetown specifically, as mountain temperatures are significantly cooler than in the Denver metro area.
Arrive at the station well before your departure time to ensure boarding and parking.
Assuming there is parking at both stations; check which depot your ticket departs from to avoid missing the train.
Operates primarily from late spring through late autumn, with specific holiday-themed trains running in December; closed during winter months except for holiday service.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended for the mine tour, and layers are essential due to high-altitude temperature fluctuations.
