Cable, then president of the Rock Island, along with his son. The company sold $500,000 worth of stock to finance the project and Major John Hulbert was named president.Īfter the railroad's founding Simmons' role in the operation seemed to dwindle as other names took over such as R.R. Realizing that a railroad would be the best and most efficient means of transporting guests to the top of Pike's Peak, and with resources already available, Simmons founded the Pike's Peak & Manitou Railway in 1888. Simmons was already a successful businessman who had founded the Simmons Beautyrest Mattress Company. So, a cheaper alternative was decided upon by building a plain dirt road for wagons up the slope.īefore this latest plan could be completed Zalmon Simmons rode a mule to the top of the famed summit and was so awestruck by the beauty that he firmly believed it should be available for the general public to see and experience as well. While some grading was completed the plan stalled due to money issues. It was to use standard adhesion to scale the mountain with a ruling grade of 5% and switchbacks to keep grades as manageable as possible. Midland, Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (Santa Fe), and Rock Island.īy the 1880s with tourism to Pike's Peak and the surrounding mountains already well-established the first attempt at constructing a railroad to the summit for visitors was chartered in 1884. Railroads including the Colorado & Southern (Burlington), Colorado The new municipality quickly grew with hotels, spas, and other attractions settling there as well as the surrounding towns of Colorado City,ĭestination just south of Denver also boasted the services of four major The town of Colorado Springs was founded on Jby William Recognized the shear beauty of the Rocky Mountains' Rampart Range and Have been possible were it not for the tourism industry that sprung up The railway will mark its 130th anniversary on June 30, 2021, with a special event and ribbon cutting ceremony.The idea for what became the Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway would never The railway strongly recommends advance purchases for preferred dates, times, and reserved seating. A reserved seat option, $68 for adults and $58 for childen, allows passengers to select specific seats. Standard fares are $58 for adults and $48 for children 12 and under with advance purchase, or $59.50 at the ticket window. Tickets are available online at the railway website. In addition to the 3-hour, 9-mile round trip by rail, visitors have the option to hike up on the 13-mile Barr Trail and ride down, or ride the train up and bike down on a 19.5 mile guided excursion. The railway was built in 1891 and has been operated by the Broadmoor since 1925. We’ve been working on this project for three years, and we are very excited to take our first trains and passengers up the mountain.” “We’re excited to re-open the railway for the public to experience and enjoy this scenic American adventure that has such a rich history.
“The Cog is an important part of Colorado and the West’s heritage,” Ted Johnston, assistant general manager of the railway, said in a press release.
The summit also features a new elevated pathway and overlook designed to protect the mountain’s fragile tundra. At the 14,115-foot summit, passengers will visit a new $60 million, fully accessible and environmentally Pikes Peak Visitors Center, featuring digital interactive displays and new menu options. Since October 2017, it has been undergoing a $100 million renovation including a complete rebuild of its tracks, a new cog system, new and rebuilt equipment, a new depot in Manitou Springs. Tickets are now on sale for the resumption of operations for the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the nation’s highest railway and one of only two cog railways in the U.S. (Trains: David Lassen)ĬOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Passengers will again be able to enjoy this view from the Pikes Peak Cog Railway beginning in May.
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