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ENLARGE
It was a streak of rust from end to end during much of its existence. It was poorly surveyed, poorly financed and in financial trouble during most of its history. It lost every serious competition in which it engaged with its various rivals. That statement defined the South Park Line.
In 1872, the former territorial governor of Colorado, John Evans, a personal friend to Abraham Lincoln, formed the infrastructure that would become the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (DSP&P). Along with several other investors including David H. Moffat, Evans managed to bring together about $3.5 million to fund his railroad venture. He didn't know at the time that his vision into the Colorado Rocky Mountains would become one of the most celebrated and storied narrow gauge routes ever built.
In August of 1873, the DSP&P began grading a line to Morrison, Colo. With continued successes, Evans was able to extend his railroad's westward advancement and began laying track through the South Platte River Valley over Kenosha Pass with his sights on the gold and silver fields of Leadville. Kenosha Pass tested the metal of his workers as well as its tiny locomotives. Following what is today Highway 285, the DSP&P made its way over the flats of South Park and entered the town of Como at the foot of Boreas Pass in June of 1879.
In 1881, construction of the railroad began from Como to Breckenridge over Boreas Pass. Laying untreated wooden ties over an existing wagon road and without rock ballast in order to save money, the little railroad made its way over the treacherous pass.
When the first train arrived in Breckenridge in September 1882, the DSP&P was getting closer to its goal which was 45 miles further west over Fremont Pass at 11,320 feet; Boreas Pass being the highest railroad pass in the nation at 11,481 feet. In 1883 the railroad had completed laying track to Frisco and Keystone and began surveying the route up the Ten Mile over Fremont Pass into Leadville. In September of 1884, after many legal confrontations with the Denver & Rio Grande, daily service by the DSP&P reached Leadville. This route, known to the engineers that traveled its dangerous route, was called the High Line.
The faces of surrounding mining communities served by the railroad would change dramatically. The western slope was now connected to the world in a way never experienced by its residents before. Civilization, from around the world, touched the Rocky Mountain west.
Today, you can drive the historic railroad route that came over Boreas Pass into Breckenridge. The total distance from Breckenridge to Como one way is 17 miles. Along the way, get a glimpse of the Rotary Snowplow, which was used to clear the tracks of snow in the winter; Baker's Tank, a water tower used to fuel the locomotives; and the Section House at the top of Boreas Pass, built in 1882 to house railroad men and their families. The historic railroad route from Breckenridge to the summit of Boreas Pass is covered in aspen groves and is considered one of the area's most scenic fall drives.
For more information on Breckenridge's railroad history, visit breck150.com.
In 1872, the former territorial governor of Colorado, John Evans, a personal friend to Abraham Lincoln, formed the infrastructure that would become the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (DSP&P). Along with several other investors including David H. Moffat, Evans managed to bring together about $3.5 million to fund his railroad venture. He didn't know at the time that his vision into the Colorado Rocky Mountains would become one of the most celebrated and storied narrow gauge routes ever built.
In August of 1873, the DSP&P began grading a line to Morrison, Colo. With continued successes, Evans was able to extend his railroad's westward advancement and began laying track through the South Platte River Valley over Kenosha Pass with his sights on the gold and silver fields of Leadville. Kenosha Pass tested the metal of his workers as well as its tiny locomotives. Following what is today Highway 285, the DSP&P made its way over the flats of South Park and entered the town of Como at the foot of Boreas Pass in June of 1879.
In 1881, construction of the railroad began from Como to Breckenridge over Boreas Pass. Laying untreated wooden ties over an existing wagon road and without rock ballast in order to save money, the little railroad made its way over the treacherous pass.
When the first train arrived in Breckenridge in September 1882, the DSP&P was getting closer to its goal which was 45 miles further west over Fremont Pass at 11,320 feet; Boreas Pass being the highest railroad pass in the nation at 11,481 feet. In 1883 the railroad had completed laying track to Frisco and Keystone and began surveying the route up the Ten Mile over Fremont Pass into Leadville. In September of 1884, after many legal confrontations with the Denver & Rio Grande, daily service by the DSP&P reached Leadville. This route, known to the engineers that traveled its dangerous route, was called the High Line.
The faces of surrounding mining communities served by the railroad would change dramatically. The western slope was now connected to the world in a way never experienced by its residents before. Civilization, from around the world, touched the Rocky Mountain west.
Today, you can drive the historic railroad route that came over Boreas Pass into Breckenridge. The total distance from Breckenridge to Como one way is 17 miles. Along the way, get a glimpse of the Rotary Snowplow, which was used to clear the tracks of snow in the winter; Baker's Tank, a water tower used to fuel the locomotives; and the Section House at the top of Boreas Pass, built in 1882 to house railroad men and their families. The historic railroad route from Breckenridge to the summit of Boreas Pass is covered in aspen groves and is considered one of the area's most scenic fall drives.
For more information on Breckenridge's railroad history, visit breck150.com.
