Colorado Railroad Museum’s “Colorado Crossings” Event Features Two Steam Locomotives, Three “Galloping Geese” and Railroad Fun
GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado Railroad Museum is bringing back Denver Metro’s largest and most colorful festival of operating trains over the weekend of May 18-19, 2024. Called “Colorado Crossings,” the event will feature two coal-fired narrow-gauge locomotives under steam plus three “Galloping Geese” in operation. These beloved self-propelled rail cars once carried mail over Lizard Head Pass in southwest Colorado.
“Railroads helped transform Colorado from a mountain wilderness into a booming state, and at this event we will feature a variety of operating locomotives, cars and equipment so that visitors can experience the sights, sounds, smells and thrills of early railroading in the Centennial State,” said Paul Hammond, executive director of the Colorado Railroad Museum.
The weekend’s activities include:
· Rides on a steam train pulled by Rio Grande Southern No. 20 (a vintage 1899 locomotive that completed a $2 million, 14-year restoration in 2020)!
· A “Parade of Geese and Steam” that will include three Rio Grande Southern “Galloping Geese” railcars, Nos. 2, 6, and 7, all built in Colorado in the 1930s (only seven Galloping Geese were ever built), plus 1899-vintage Rio Grande Southern steam locomotive No. 20 and 1928-vintage Denver & Rio Grande Western steam locomotive No. 491.
· Indoor and outdoor model railroads to marvel at, including a giant G-gauge outdoor garden railroad complete with buildings, tunnels, trestles and miniature live trees.
· Opportunities for kids and adults to step aboard rail cars and cabooses, ring locomotive bells, and see more than 100 locomotives and cars on display.
· Turntable demonstrations will be ongoing each day, allowing visitors the chance to push a full-sized railroad turntable by hand.
· Roundhouse tours will allow visitors to see Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 491 up close and under steam. This is the largest operating coal-fired, narrow-gauge steam locomotive in Colorado.
· Demonstrations by a blacksmith forging tools and trinkets from railroad spikes.
· And speaking of “Spike” — the museum’s mascot, Spike the dog, will also be on hand this weekend for photos and selfies!
· A “Big Boy of a Used Book Sale” with hundreds of used railroad books available at bargain-basement prices.
· Food, beverages and treats will be available for purchase both days. Come join the fun!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
· Museum grounds open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Parade of Geese and Steam starts at 9:30 a.m.
· Train rides pulled by steam locomotive No. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with departures every half hour
· Blacksmith demonstrations, roundhouse tours and activities ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Museum Admission (includes ride): is $14 adults, $12 seniors, $7 ages 2-17, Museum Members and under age 2 free.
Museum Grounds and Train Ride capacity are limited for ongoing guest comfort and safety, so advance purchase of admission and train ride tickets is strongly recommended.
