Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Railroad Name | Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad |
| Website | https://www.leadville-train.com/ |
| Train ride | Diesel pulled train of open air cars up the high line, through very scenic landscape. |
| Location | 326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461 Google Maps |
| Length of trip | 21 miles, 2.5 hours |
| Cost of single ticket | $54.00 |
| Special Trains | Holiday Express Winter Express |
Information/History
The Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad (LC&S) is a historic narrow-gauge railroad located in Leadville, Colorado. It is nicknamed the “High Line” because it travels up one side of a valley, higher than the D&RGW that travels lower on the opposite side.
It was originally built in the late 1800s to transport gold and silver from the mines in the area. Today, the railroad offers scenic train rides through the Rocky Mountains for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.
History:
The LC&S Railroad was originally part of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad, which operated a network of narrow-gauge tracks throughout Colorado in the late 1800s. The Leadville branch was built in 1884 to transport ore from the mines in Leadville to Denver. The railroad was later acquired by the Colorado and Southern Railway in 1898, and continued to operate.
In the 1980s, the railroad was resurrected as a tourist attraction, and today visitors can ride the historic train through the mountains and learn about the area’s rich mining history.
It’s worth noting several facts about the line. When built, it was connected to the rest of the railroad via over the continental divide, with the line going all the way to Denver.
In 1925 the D&RGW removed the third rail, thus eliminating narrow gauge interchange at Leadville.
In 1937 the line north of Climax was abandoned, thus isolating the line. It connected with the Denver & Rio Grande Western at Leadville, with all goods having to be transferred between narrow gauge and standard gauge cars.
It continued to operate in this manner until 1943 when the C&S finally converted the line to standard gauge, thus re-connecting regular interchange traffic with the line.
The last run of the narrow gauge was documented in Life Magazine:
After being converted to standard gauge, it became the highest operating standard gauge line in the US.
The line had two 2-8-0 steam locomotives operating the line. These were among the last steam engines operating on the C&S/CB&Q system, operating until 1962, until Burlington had diesel locomotives delivered.
The mine at Climax had low production in the late 1980’s, and the line was discontinued and sold in 1986.
Today, the line is once again, an isolated line, with the D&RGW line abandoning their connection.
Train Ride:
The train ride on the LC&S Railroad takes passengers on a scenic journey through the mountains, with stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The ride lasts approximately two and a half hours and covers a distance of 21 miles.
Author’s note: This is one of the most scenic rail lines We’ve ever ridden. It’s historic, and beautiful. We would highly recommend this ride to anyone who loves riding trains, or just likes scenic trips.
The train is pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive, which was originally built in 1956. The passenger cars are open air cars that offer a very scenic view.
Local Attractions:
Leadville is a historic mining town, with numerous attractions for visitors to explore. The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is located in the town, as is the Tabor Opera House, a beautifully restored Victorian-era theater. The town also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and skiing.
Notable Roster
| Locomotive | Type | Builder | Notes |
| 1714 | GP9 | EMD 1955 | Ex-Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern |
| 1918 | GP9 | EMD 1957 | Ex-Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern |
| 89 | GP9 | EMD 1959 | Ex-MILW |
Getting There
The nearest Amtrak station to the LC&S Railroad is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, approximately 75 miles away. Amtrak trains that stop in Glenwood Springs include the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Chicago and Emeryville, California, and the Winter Park Express, which runs between Denver and Winter Park, Colorado during the winter months.
Commercial Airport:
The nearest commercial airport to the LC&S Railroad is Denver International Airport, located approximately 120 miles away. Visitors can rent a car at the airport and drive to Leadville, or take a shuttle service such as Peak 1 Express.
Driving Directions:
If driving to the LC&S Railroad, take I-70 west from Denver to the Copper Mountain exit, then follow signs to Leadville. The railroad is located at the corner of 7th and Harrison in downtown Leadville. Parking is available at the depot.
