There's a dramatic story behind the historic railways that twist among the jagged peaks of the Rockies. During the 1800s, workers built them almost entirely by hand, driving spikes into solid granite, filling the divots with explosive powder and blasting, inch by inch, through the massive mountain range. Though other modes of transportation have long since taken the place of the venerable steam engine, the fruits of those workers' labors remain in the form of scenic train rides along these remarkable routes.
Rail aficionados shouldn't miss the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which National Geographic Traveler.com calls "one of the 10 Best North American train trips." As the steam-tufted engine plies its 3-foot-wide track up the breathtakingly steep slopes between the Colorado towns of Durango and Silverton, passengers check out more than three hours' worth of soaring mountain views. The elevation gain, which clocks in at almost 3,000 feet, is achieved using entirely old-school equipment: a 1920s-era locomotive that pulls Victorian-era passenger cars.
Colorado's two highest peaks soar skyward aside the tracks of the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, looming overhead for much of the 2.5-hour ride. While an onboard docent describes the history of the route, wildflower meadows and forested ridgelines unfold photogenically alongside. Closed in winter, the Leadville train operates from May to October of each year.
The Wild West-era steam train that rides the rails of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has been lovingly restored -- and updated to ADA accessibility compliance, too. Tucked deep into the southern Rockies outside the little town of Antonito, Colorado, the 64-mile route -- listed on the National Register of Historic Places -- plows through tunnels, along cliff faces and over lofty trestles across the deep gorges of the Cumbres Pass. Sunset Dinner Train departures are scheduled on Saturdays. The train operates from Memorial Day to the end of October.
The Royal Gorge Railroad has introduced passengers to its namesake geological enormity near Canon City, Colorado, since 1879. The tracks cling to the banks of the Arkansas River whitewater for much of the two-hour trip, in most places more than 1,000 feet below the top of the gorge. There, passengers can catch a glimpse of the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, which is so tall that it has often been used as a location for BASE jumping demonstrations. The Royal Gorge Route schedules dinner trains, murder mystery events and holiday celebrations year-round. An onboard restaurant serves food and wine.
Pike's Peak isn't just a rally-car route -- the 14,115-foot peak just outside Colorado Springs is also home to the highest cog railroad in the world. Built in 1891, the steeply pitched, Swiss-style railway is only 9 miles long but takes a little over three hours to complete a round trip. Along the way, the train chugs past waterfalls, fragrant spruce forests, 2,000-year-old trees, boulder fields, families of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and chittering groups of whistling marmots. At the top, passengers disembark for a half-hour stop at the peak's Summit House, which offers food, drink and photo opportunities overlooking the high-altitude view.
