Cripple Creek, CO
Photo by Don O'Brien from Piketon, Ohio, United States, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
About Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Coal‑fired narrow‑gauge steam excursions traverse historic gold‑mining country south of Cripple Creek, Colorado, from the Bennett Avenue/5th Street depot along a revived Midland Terminal Railway segment to the vicinity of the abandoned Anaconda mining camp. The 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line covers roughly 2 km one way, with the round‑trip totaling about 4 miles (6.4 km). Operations run seasonally from mid‑May through early October, offering riders a glimpse of the region’s mining heritage.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Cripple Creek, CO
- Rating
- 4.6 ★ 1,684 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. 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
- Trip Length
- 45-minute trip
- Parking
- Free lot
- Accessibility
- Accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The railroad runs on 2 ft (610 mm) narrow‑gauge track that begins at Bennett Avenue/5th Street in Cripple Creek, passes the former Midland Terminal wye, crosses a rebuilt trestle, skirts historic mines and ends near the abandoned Anaconda mining camp, a round‑trip distance of about 4 mi (6.4 km). As of the 2017 season the line operates three coal‑fired narrow‑gauge steam engines: Engine #1, an 0‑4‑4‑0 Mallet built by Orenstein & Koppel in 1902; Engine #2, a 0‑4‑0 built by Henschel in 1936; and Engine #3, a 0‑4‑0 PT tank built by H. K. Porter in 1927, while Engine #4, a 0‑4‑4‑0 T built by W. G. Bagnall in 1947, remains under long‑term overhaul and a 1951 General Electric 4wDE battery‑powered unit serves the track‑crew. Former Lisbon streetcars 762 and 776, acquired in 2003, are stored off‑site and not in regular service.
History
See full history
The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad begins operations on June 28 1967, reviving a segment of the former Midland Terminal Railway and the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad. One year later, in 1968, the Bull Hill Station depot—originally built at the Anaconda Mine in 1894 and relocated to Bull Hill in 1912—is moved to Cripple Creek, establishing the line’s permanent passenger facility.
Around the Depot
Getting There & Staying Nearby
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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 Cripple Creek
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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