Cripple Creek, CO
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
4.6· 1,684 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-22- TypeSeasonal coal-fired steam ride through Cripple Creek mining country
- LocationCripple Creek, CO
- Rating4.6 ★1,684 Google reviews
About Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad runs a compact coal-fired steam excursion from its historic-station setting in Cripple Creek. The narrated 45-minute round trip covers about four miles south through the gold-mining district, passing the former Midland Terminal wye, a reconstructed trestle and historic mine landscapes before turning near Echo Valley and the World’s Fair area. Despite the name, the train does not travel into the town of Victor. The official home page announced that the 2026 season opened May 23 and lists seven departures spaced 70 minutes apart, but it does not publish a complete occurrence-level calendar or explicitly promise daily operation. Tickets are first come without reservations, and all passenger cars are open to mountain weather.
Plan the Short Steam Ride Around a Live Timetable
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, rail enthusiasts and visitors looking for a short scenic steam ride
Ride the four-mile steam round trip
Choose a current departure for the approximately 45-minute narrated trip through Cripple Creek's mining landscape in open passenger cars.
Visitors organizing a fixed Cripple Creek day
Arrive early for first-come tickets
The railroad accepts no reservations. Use the current operating notice, allow time to buy tickets and treat the seven listed times as subject to change.
High-elevation first-time visitors and families with children
Dress for the open cars
Bring layers, sun protection and rain protection because every passenger car is open and the operator runs in changing mountain weather.
Riders who need a specific boarding or seating arrangement
Call about boarding assistance
Discuss the exact wheelchair, transfer, seating or disability need before travel; staff assistance does not establish a blanket step-free route.
Current Operating Status
Complete official operating-status check
2026 seasonal steam excursions · opened May 23 · seven listed departures · confirm current operation
The official current home page explicitly announced May 23 as the 2026 season opening and describes a usual mid-May through first-weekend-of-October season, but it does not publish an occurrence-level date calendar or explicitly state that trains run every day. The seven listed departure times are 10:00 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:50 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., spaced 70 minutes apart and subject to change. Tickets are first come with no reservations. This calendar therefore carries one current operating-status group, no inferred daily dates, no expanded date range and no invented exact closing date. The date label and notes preserve the explicit opening and departure summary without turning them into per-date inventory. Synchronized live freshness remains separate and paused. Check official operating status ↗
Plan Your Visit
- WeatherAll cars are open; the railroad says trains run rain or shine, so bring layers and protection for fast-changing high-country conditions
- 2026 OpeningThe official current banner says the 2026 season opened May 23; no inferred daily date series or exact closing day is published
- Season SummaryThe operator describes a usual mid-May through first-weekend-of-October season, subject to current operating status
- DeparturesListed departures are 10:00 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:50 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.; the schedule can change
- TicketingNo reservations are accepted; tickets are first come and groups should call for pricing and arrangements
- Fares$21 adult, $14 child age 3-12, free age two and under, and $19 senior over 65; AAA and active military receive $1 off with ID
- RideAbout 45 minutes and four miles round trip, with narration about the mining district
- RouteThe train runs south from Cripple Creek past the Midland Terminal wye, reconstructed trestle and mines to the Echo Valley and World’s Fair area; it does not reach Victor
- AccessThe operator says staff can assist riders with wheelchairs or disabilities and asks visitors to call for specific arrangements; no complete step-free boarding chain is published
- UnknownsCurrent official sources do not establish parking capacity, restroom accessibility, pet, food, stroller, smoking, refund, exchange or numeric capacity policies
- Contact520 E Carr Ave, Cripple Creek, Colorado 80813 · 719-689-2640 · ccvngrr@aol.com
Find the Depot
The Trains
The railroad operates on two-foot-gauge track with coal-fired steam power and open passenger cars. Its roster describes No. 1 as an Orenstein & Koppel articulated Mallet, No. 2 as a 1936 Henschel 0-4-0 and No. 3 as a 1927 H. K. Porter 0-4-0 tank locomotive. Bagnall No. 4, built in 1947, is presented as restoration context rather than assured service. A 1951 General Electric four-wheel diesel-electric, converted from an underground battery locomotive associated with Idarado mining work, serves track-crew duties rather than the advertised steam passenger identity. Photographs establish collection identity only; they do not promise the locomotive, cars or maintenance status for a given departure.
History
The building now used as the passenger depot was constructed as the Anaconda station.
After fire destroyed the Anaconda townsite, the station was relocated to Bull Hill.
Dr. John M. Birmingham and his family opened the tourist railroad on June 28.
The historic station building was moved to the railroad's present Cripple Creek site.
The railroad announced May 23 as the opening of its current public season.
See full history
Dr. John M. Birmingham and his family opened the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad on June 28, 1967, adapting a short route through the Cripple Creek mining landscape for public interpretation. The passenger depot began as the Anaconda station in 1894. After the Anaconda town fire in 1904, it was moved to Bull Hill and then placed at the railroad's present Cripple Creek site in 1968. The Birmingham family continued the operation under John Birmingham's son Jim and later generations. The attraction interprets several overlapping rail and mining stories, but the present visitor line is its own two-foot-gauge tourist railroad and must not be represented as a through reconstruction of every former district railroad.
Around the Depot
Florissant Fossil Beds ranks first as a substantial independent National Park Service stop about 12.93 miles straight-line and roughly 16 road miles north, combining accessible fossil exhibits, trails and homesteading history.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
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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.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the 2026 season open?
The railroad's current official banner says May 23, 2026. It does not publish a complete day-by-day calendar, so confirm current operation before the drive.
What departure times are listed?
The operator lists 10:00, 11:10, 12:20, 1:30, 2:40, 3:50 and 5:00, with departures 70 minutes apart and the schedule subject to change.
Can I reserve tickets?
No. The official site says tickets are first come and no reservations are accepted. Groups should call about current pricing and arrangements.
How long and how far is the ride?
Plan on about 45 minutes for a narrated four-mile round trip through the Cripple Creek mining district.
Does the train go to Victor?
No. Despite the railroad's name, the current public route turns in the mining landscape south of Cripple Creek and does not enter the town of Victor.
What does a ticket cost?
The current published fares are $21 adult, $14 child age 3-12, free for age two and under, and $19 senior over 65. AAA and active military receive $1 off with ID.
Are the cars enclosed?
No. All passenger cars are open. The operator says trains run rain or shine, so prepare for sun, wind, cold and precipitation.
Is the train wheelchair-accessible?
The operator offers staff assistance and asks visitors to call about wheelchair or disability needs. It does not publish enough detail to promise a complete step-free boarding route or securement.
Which steam locomotive will pull the train?
No locomotive is guaranteed in the reviewed current visitor information. Roster photos document Nos. 1-4, but maintenance and daily assignment control actual service.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 22, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official current home page for 2026 opening, season, departures, fares, first-come ticketing, duration, route, weather, access, equipment and history
- Official home page for current address, phone, email and visitor questions
- Visit Colorado Springs current itinerary, updated June 25, 2026, corroborating active public operation and Cripple Creek context
- Exact Don O'Brien lead train image under CC BY 2.0
- Exact Don O'Brien open-car mountainside image under CC BY 2.0
- Exact Don O'Brien locomotive and water-tank image under CC BY 2.0
- Exact James St. John locomotive No. 1 image under CC BY 2.0
- Exact James St. John locomotive No. 2 image under CC BY 2.0
- Exact James St. John locomotive No. 3 image under CC BY 2.0
- Exact Don O'Brien locomotive No. 4 image under CC BY 2.0