Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

A trip on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, reveals scenic wonders around every curve as century-old steam locomotive transports you back to the gold mining days of Cripple Creek & Victor, Colorado. A treat for railroad and history buffs, kids and the whole family.

Trains leave every 40 minutes from mid-May thru mid-October from our 1894 depot and gift shop at the head of historic Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek.

Take this is spectacular 45-minute trip of beautiful colors and fascinating experiences… the old steam engine with its pillaring smoke, sounds of steam and working steel… all the effects familiar to the hardy miners who rode the Midland Terminal roadbed when Cripple Creek District’s population approached over 50,000.

This unique four-mile round- trip includes an interesting and educational narration on the rich history only a dynamic gold town could produce. Also stops for special points of interest, impressive photo spots, and Echo valley.

You will enjoy every minute of the ride and will have a better knowledge of this world famous town….Cripple Creek, Colorado.

History of Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge

The locomotive is a 15 ton iron horse of the 0-4-0 type typical of the early day steam engines so important to the winning of the west. The track goes south out of Cripple Creek, past the old Midland Terminal Wye over a reconstructed trestle, past many historic mines and terminates near the deserted mining camp of Anaconda, then returns back to Cripple Creek.
HISTORY:

On June 28th , 1967, Dr. John M. Birmingham opened the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad for business. The CC&V RR has been carrying passengers ever since. The Railroad has always been a family business, now operated and managed by Jim and his family. John still plays an active role in overseeing the operations of the Railroad.

John Birmingham was born into a railroad family, his father was an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad and also his grandfather. In 1965 he purchased two locomotives from the Climax Molybdenum mine of Colorado. They were located in Mexico, one was fully operational the second was 60% through a major overhaul. John spent a lot of spare time and vacations to build the railroad, he had help from his friends and family.

The gift shop and ticket office now next to the original Cripple Creek Midland Depot was rescued from the old Midland Terminal line, Originally built in 1894 as the Anaconda station, was moved to Bull Hill after the fire of 1904 destroyed most of Anaconda. It was moved to its present location in 1968. It was impossible to still find a water tower so John had one made of wood by Denver Tank and Reel and moved to its present location.

Today we use three of the narrow gauge locomotives during the summer season. All are coal-fired two foot Narrow Gauge Locomotives. The Number 1 is a Orenstein and Koppel built in 1902 0-4-4-0 articulated mallet. The Number 2 engine is a Henschel built in 1936 0-4-0, built in Germany. The Number 3 is a Porter built in 1927 0-4-0 tank engine. The Number 4 engine is the Bagnall built in 1947 0-4-4-0T, this engine is currently being restored.

Besides the four passenger engines the Railroad owns another locomotive. One is a 1951 General Electric, four wheel, Diesel-Electric engine, originally battery operated for underground work at the Idarado Mine near Telluride. The engine is currently being used by the track crew.

Visitor Information

Cripple Creek: Colorado Mountain Charm

The historic town of Cripple Creek, Colorado sits on the southwest slopes of majestic Pikes Peak in the Colorado Rockies. More than 100 years ago this charming community attracted tens of thousands of gold-seekers to its hillsides in search of their fortunes. The gold mines are a part of Cripple Creek’s colorful history, and today, visitors can choose from a wide variety of rich and wonderful experiences here.

Explore the Gold Mines
Mining is the core of how Cripple Creek, Colorado came to be. Gold was discovered in 1891 by a cowboy and part-time prospector and it transformed a sleepy, little ranching community into one of the world’s richest gold camps. Today, you can tour the Mollie Kathleen mine, descending 1,000 feet underground and touring through its educational exhibits. Tours are also available at the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, which is still in operation today.

Trailblazing on Horseback
See the Rocky Mountains the way early explorers did…from the back of a horse! The Cripple Creek area offers several horseback riding opportunities. Some rides tuck into the forest on quiet trails, others cross vast meadows filled with wildlife – all with Pikes Peak as their backdrop. From kids to seniors there will be a horse suited just for you. The west is still alive and well in Cripple Creek!

Scenic Bike Tours
The challenge and beauty of biking in the Pikes Peak region is second to none. Choose from meandering, paved mountain blacktops to rugged, single-track trails snaking through the forest. Go for a friendly social ride or test your mettle on some of the incredible climbs. There are numerous scenic rides in the Cripple Creek vicinity, so load up your bike, grab your helmet and gloves and head on out here!

Engaging Museum Exhibits
Visitors with a historic interest will enjoy browsing the region’s many museums. Here you can learn about the gold rush – the characters it brought to town and those it created. Learn about the mining life; see original artifacts; ponder the successes and the colorful way of life in the new frontier. Cripple Creek is truly in the heart of history!

City of Cripple Creek
Looking for the City of Cripple Creek’s Official Government Website? Click here, or go to www.CrippleCreekGov.com.

Cripple Creek Visitor Information

Contact & Directions

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railraod

5th & Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813

Phone: 719-689-2640
www.cripplecreekrailroad.com/

Directions to the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

+ ABOUT

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

A trip on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, reveals scenic wonders around every curve as century-old steam locomotive transports you back to the gold mining days of Cripple Creek & Victor, Colorado. A treat for railroad and history buffs, kids and the whole family.

Trains leave every 40 minutes from mid-May thru mid-October from our 1894 depot and gift shop at the head of historic Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek.

Take this is spectacular 45-minute trip of beautiful colors and fascinating experiences… the old steam engine with its pillaring smoke, sounds of steam and working steel… all the effects familiar to the hardy miners who rode the Midland Terminal roadbed when Cripple Creek District’s population approached over 50,000.

This unique four-mile round- trip includes an interesting and educational narration on the rich history only a dynamic gold town could produce. Also stops for special points of interest, impressive photo spots, and Echo valley.

You will enjoy every minute of the ride and will have a better knowledge of this world famous town….Cripple Creek, Colorado.

+ HISTORY

History of Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge

The locomotive is a 15 ton iron horse of the 0-4-0 type typical of the early day steam engines so important to the winning of the west. The track goes south out of Cripple Creek, past the old Midland Terminal Wye over a reconstructed trestle, past many historic mines and terminates near the deserted mining camp of Anaconda, then returns back to Cripple Creek.
HISTORY:

On June 28th , 1967, Dr. John M. Birmingham opened the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad for business. The CC&V RR has been carrying passengers ever since. The Railroad has always been a family business, now operated and managed by Jim and his family. John still plays an active role in overseeing the operations of the Railroad.

John Birmingham was born into a railroad family, his father was an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad and also his grandfather. In 1965 he purchased two locomotives from the Climax Molybdenum mine of Colorado. They were located in Mexico, one was fully operational the second was 60% through a major overhaul. John spent a lot of spare time and vacations to build the railroad, he had help from his friends and family.

The gift shop and ticket office now next to the original Cripple Creek Midland Depot was rescued from the old Midland Terminal line, Originally built in 1894 as the Anaconda station, was moved to Bull Hill after the fire of 1904 destroyed most of Anaconda. It was moved to its present location in 1968. It was impossible to still find a water tower so John had one made of wood by Denver Tank and Reel and moved to its present location.

Today we use three of the narrow gauge locomotives during the summer season. All are coal-fired two foot Narrow Gauge Locomotives. The Number 1 is a Orenstein and Koppel built in 1902 0-4-4-0 articulated mallet. The Number 2 engine is a Henschel built in 1936 0-4-0, built in Germany. The Number 3 is a Porter built in 1927 0-4-0 tank engine. The Number 4 engine is the Bagnall built in 1947 0-4-4-0T, this engine is currently being restored.

Besides the four passenger engines the Railroad owns another locomotive. One is a 1951 General Electric, four wheel, Diesel-Electric engine, originally battery operated for underground work at the Idarado Mine near Telluride. The engine is currently being used by the track crew.

+ VISITOR INFORMATION

Visitor Information

Cripple Creek: Colorado Mountain Charm

The historic town of Cripple Creek, Colorado sits on the southwest slopes of majestic Pikes Peak in the Colorado Rockies. More than 100 years ago this charming community attracted tens of thousands of gold-seekers to its hillsides in search of their fortunes. The gold mines are a part of Cripple Creek’s colorful history, and today, visitors can choose from a wide variety of rich and wonderful experiences here.

Explore the Gold Mines
Mining is the core of how Cripple Creek, Colorado came to be. Gold was discovered in 1891 by a cowboy and part-time prospector and it transformed a sleepy, little ranching community into one of the world’s richest gold camps. Today, you can tour the Mollie Kathleen mine, descending 1,000 feet underground and touring through its educational exhibits. Tours are also available at the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, which is still in operation today.

Trailblazing on Horseback
See the Rocky Mountains the way early explorers did…from the back of a horse! The Cripple Creek area offers several horseback riding opportunities. Some rides tuck into the forest on quiet trails, others cross vast meadows filled with wildlife – all with Pikes Peak as their backdrop. From kids to seniors there will be a horse suited just for you. The west is still alive and well in Cripple Creek!

Scenic Bike Tours
The challenge and beauty of biking in the Pikes Peak region is second to none. Choose from meandering, paved mountain blacktops to rugged, single-track trails snaking through the forest. Go for a friendly social ride or test your mettle on some of the incredible climbs. There are numerous scenic rides in the Cripple Creek vicinity, so load up your bike, grab your helmet and gloves and head on out here!

Engaging Museum Exhibits
Visitors with a historic interest will enjoy browsing the region’s many museums. Here you can learn about the gold rush – the characters it brought to town and those it created. Learn about the mining life; see original artifacts; ponder the successes and the colorful way of life in the new frontier. Cripple Creek is truly in the heart of history!

City of Cripple Creek
Looking for the City of Cripple Creek’s Official Government Website? Click here, or go to www.CrippleCreekGov.com.

Cripple Creek Visitor Information

+ CONTACT

Contact & Directions

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railraod

5th & Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813

Phone: 719-689-2640
www.cripplecreekrailroad.com/

Directions to the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad