Engine No. 9 is one of the oldest narrow-gauge steam locomotives still in existence in the United States.
The rotary snowplow on display was designed to clear heavy snowdrifts on the Boreas Pass, which reaches an elevation of 11,482 feet.
The park is situated on the original bed of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad line.
Engine No. 9 spent decades working in the Philippines before being repatriated to Breckenridge in the 1980s.
High Line Railroad Park is a specialized outdoor museum located at the site of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad depot in Breckenridge, Colorado. The museum centers on Engine No. 9, a rare 1882 Baldwin locomotive that once served the local mining industry. Visitors can explore a restored 1896 rotary snowplow, the only one of its kind surviving from this narrow-gauge line. The site includes a caboose and various railroad artifacts, documenting the role of the High Line in transporting ore and passengers through the high-altitude terrain. Managed by the Breckenridge History organization, the museum focuses on the technical and social history of mountain railroading. The outdoor park features educational displays regarding the engineering challenges of the late 19th-century mountain routes.
The front pilot of Engine No. 9 provides a direct view of the locomotive against the backdrop of the Tenmile Range.
Bring layers, as the site is entirely outdoors and subject to rapid mountain weather changes.
Combine your visit with a walk or bike ride on the nearby Blue River Recreation Path.
Check the official Breckenridge History website for seasonal accessibility updates before visiting in winter.
Do not expect an indoor museum environment; the primary exhibits are exposed to the elements.
Outdoor exhibits are subject to seasonal weather closures; certain rail cars may not be accessible for interior viewing during winter months.
Respect the historic rail equipment by refraining from climbing on the exterior of the machinery.
