Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cripple Creek & VictorNarrow Gauge Railroad |
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Engine #2, a 0-4-0 Henschel built in 1936, Cripple Creek & Victor N.G.R.R.
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| Locale | Teller County, Colorado |
| Commercial operations | |
| Built by | Midland Terminal Railway (MTR) Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad (FCCR) |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge (MTR), 3 ft (914 mm) (FCCR) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad |
| Reporting mark | None |
| Length | 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip |
| Preserved gauge | 2 ft (610 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1893 (MTR) 1893 (FCCR) |
| Closed to passengers | 1931 (MTR), (FCCR?) |
| Closed | 1949 (MTR), (19?? FCCR?) |
| Preservation history | |
| 1967 | Start |
| present | In operation |
| Headquarters | Cripple Creek Bus.(719) 689-2640 Seasonal operations. |
The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad (CC&VNG RR) is a special train line in Colorado. It runs fun tourist trains during certain seasons. These trains travel between Cripple Creek and the southern edge of the city. This railroad uses parts of older train tracks, like those from the Midland Terminal Railway and the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad. About half of the train's route and its main station are inside the Cripple Creek Historic District. This area is a very important historical place, known as a National Historic Landmark.
Train Engines and Cars
The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad uses cool steam locomotives. As of 2017, they have three steam engines that burn coal. These engines are:
- Engine #1: An Orenstein & Koppel engine built in 1902. It's a special type called an articulated mallet.
- Engine #2: A Henschel engine built in 1936.
- Engine #3: An H. K. Porter engine built in 1927.
They also have Engine #4, a W. G. Bagnall engine from 1947. It is currently being fixed up. There is also a fifth engine, a 1951 General Electric engine. This one used to be battery-powered for mining underground. Today, the railroad's track crew uses it to help maintain the tracks.
The railroad also got two old streetcars from Lisbon in 2003. These streetcars are named 762 and 776. They were meant to be used locally, but they are currently stored away.
Train Track Sizes
The train tracks used by the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad are a special size. This is called a "narrow gauge." The tracks are 2 ft (610 mm) wide.
The older railroads that used these routes before, like the Midland Terminal Railway, had wider tracks. Some were standard size (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge), and others were 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge. The current railroad started running on June 28, 1967.
The Train Route
The train ride starts at Bennett Avenue/5th Street in Cripple Creek. It heads south and passes by the old Midland Terminal Wye. The train then goes over a rebuilt train bridge. It continues past historic mines. The trip ends near the old Anaconda mining camp. The train then returns to Cripple Creek. The whole round trip is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long. Even though the railroad's name includes "Victor," the train does not actually go all the way to Victor.
Stations and Buildings
The main train station in Cripple Creek is called Bull Hill Station. It was first built in 1894 at the Anaconda Mine by the Midland Terminal Railway. Later, in 1912, it was moved to Bull Hill, which is east of Victor. Finally, in 1968, the station building was moved to its current spot in Cripple Creek.
