COLORADO CROSSINGS

COLORADO CROSSINGS Event Returns for 2026
Florence & Cripple Creek Reunion

Denver’s largest annual rail enthusiast event—”Colorado Crossings”—returns to the Colorado Railroad Museum on Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, 2026! Featuring coal-burning steam locomotives, Galloping Goose railcars, and other vintage railroad equipment in operation and on display, this year’s event is themed around a “reunion” of locomotives that once ran on Colorado’s Florence & Cripple Creek (F&CC) railroad.

Both days of the Colorado Crossings event, the Museum’s beloved Rio Grande Southern (RGS) steam locomotive No. 20 will take center stage. Co-starring as an honored guest will be Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) steam locomotive No. 315, currently on loan from the Durango Railroad Heritage Society. Both locomotives, originally constructed for the F&CC in the 1890s, will be in operation this weekend! Joining them in operation will be the Museum’s own D&RGW locomotive No. 491, currently the largest coal-burning narrow gauge steam locomotive operating in North America.

Also on display during Colorado Crossings will be D&RGW steam locomotive No. 318, from the Museum’s collection (also an F&CC alumni), along with freshly refurbished F&CC boxcar No. 588. Each day will feature live presentations (by historian George Neiderauer) detailing the history of former F&CC locomotives Nos. 20, 315, and 318 and offering guests the opportunity to learn more. Joining these presentations, video histories of Nos. 20 and 318 will air throughout the day on the Museum Pavilion’s large-screen video wall.

Kicking off each morning at 9:30 a.m. will be a Parade of Geese and Steam, with Rio Grande Southern (RGS) Galloping Geese Nos. 2, 6, and 7 all participating along with RGS No. 20, D&RGW No. 491, and visiting locomotive D&RGW No. 315. And while this weekend highlights the Florence & Cripple Creek, there will be plenty more to explore and discover during Colorado Crossings! Cab tours of D&RGW steam locomotive No. 491 will be offered, along with turntable demonstrations, a Big Boy of a Used Book Sale, and special late afternoon freight trains providing photography opportunities.

Activities and train rides take place both days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with steam locomotives Nos. 20 and 315 pulling trains throughout the day. Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite, along with themed hats, T‑shirts, and more at the Depot Store. The Big Boy of a Used Book Sale will be held both days of the event, featuring special pricing on railroad titles from a wide range of regions and genres.

New this year for Steam-Up Event weekends (including Colorado Crossings), online pre-reserved tickets include BOTH admission and a train ride!
Online Admission & Ride Pricing: $17 adults, $7 ages 2-17, $15 seniors ages 60+. Free for members and visitors under age 2. All Aboard!

Order Online in Advance & save $5 per ticket!
On-Site Admission & Ride for Steam Up Event Days: $22 Adults, $12 ages 2-17, $20 Seniors ages 60+.