COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Photo by Rijksmuseum, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
About Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway
Pikes Peak Trolley Museum with restoration shop; offers guided tours and rides on a 1948 PCC streetcar.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
- Rating
- 3.8 ★ 4 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Accessibility
- Accessible restroom · accessible parking
Find the Depot
The Trains
Two cars from the original system survive on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Car 48 is the last of the first five streetcars Stratton ordered — Brill convertible cars numbered 46 to 50, advanced for their day with retractable Narragansett steps, adjustable windows, and separate smoking sections, marking the transition from wood to steel framing. Car 59, last of an order of nine from the Laclede Car Company, is undergoing restoration to operating condition at the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation, the museum dedicated to the CS&I's history. Visitors today can also ride a 1948 PCC streetcar at the museum, which pairs its collection with a working restoration shop.
History
See full history
Today's Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway organization preserves the legacy of the electric trolley system that served the Pikes Peak region from 1902 to 1932. Street railways here began with horsecar service in 1887 between the business district and Colorado College; the Colorado Springs Rapid Transit Railway, chartered in 1890, electrified the operation and opened the first electric line to Manitou Springs that October. Winfield Scott Stratton purchased the Rapid Transit company in 1901 and consolidated it with the Colorado Springs and Suburban in September 1902, creating the CS&I. Ridership peaked in 1911, and by 1917 the system covered 38 miles of track with 56 motor cars and 13 trail cars, serving Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, Ivywild, and Roswell. The automobile undid it all: buses began replacing the railcars in 1931, and the last electric tram ran on April 30, 1932. The modern museum and restoration shop keep that history alive with exhibits, guided tours, and streetcar rides.
Around the Depot
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Colorado Springs
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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