Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad

1 denver Public Library, Western History Department. pulls away from the Nathrop Station, by Joseph Collier, courtesy of the Rau, publisher, from Ryland Collection. A passenger and cargo train of the denver , South Park & Pacific Railroad defile of lower Platte Canon in the late 1880's. denver South Park & Pacific 112 threads the narrow the original dream was never fully realized. Railroad system wholly contained within the state, and the DSP&P became the largest narrow gauge Although 335 miles of track were eventually laid South Park & Pacific Railway Company in 1872. denver 's leading businessmen formed The denver would outweigh the costs, Evans and a group of the challenge and convinced that the benefits to achieve a functional rail line.

2 Still undaunted by would require tunneling through tons of solid rock Excessive grades and treacherous winter weather wagon roads and even foot trails seemed unlikely. proposed Railroad route crossed canyons where proved transportation to remote settlements, the dream. Although some stage and freight companies Almost everyone considered the vision an impossible San Juan region, and reach the Pacific . begin at denver , cross the Rockies, open the rich to be tapped, he envisioned a Railroad that would of these and other economic resources just waiting the trees and mountains. Excited by the potential entrepreneurial spirit saw timber and minerals in through colorado 's majestic landscapes, his As Governor John Evans traveled on horseback The Impossible Dream THE.

3 The Company is fully alive to the advantages to be gained by the early denver , South Park &. completion and opening to traffic of Pacific Railroad their various lines, and fully realize This brochure was made possible through a partnership between the Pike National Forest, Park County, and the colorado HISTORY. Historical Society. For more information about the denver South Park & Pacific Railway, contact the colorado Railroad Museum in the vast resources, the immense trade, Golden or the colorado Railroad Association in denver , or check your local library for the following references: The South Park Line: A Concise History by Chappell, and the quickening influence of Richardson published by the colorado Railroad Museum, Box 10, Golden CO 80401.

4 Railways upon industrial development denver South Park & Pacific by Poor; published by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, PO Box 2391, denver CO 80201. Pictorial Supplement to denver South Park & Pacific by all of which will be assured by the Kindig, Haley, and Poor; published by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, PO Box 2391, denver CO 80201. speedy completion of their lines. The USDA policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA- South Park road will open to denver related activity should immediately contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

5 A new empire, whose resources, industries, and commercial importance will add untold wealth to colorado , and new glories to its chief city denver .. ( denver Daily Times March 18, 1880). The old South Park Line, locomotive #197, Courtesy of the denver Public Library, Western History Department. Part way up Boreas Pass. Photo by Dick Jackson, colorado Rail Annual No. 12. denver Public Library, Western History Department. pulls away from the Nathrop Station, by Joseph Collier, courtesy of the Rau, publisher, from Ryland Collection. A passenger and cargo train of the denver , South Park & Pacific Railroad defile of lower Platte Canon in the late 1880's.

6 denver South Park & Pacific 112 threads the narrow the original dream was never fully realized. Railroad system wholly contained within the state, and the DSP&P became the largest narrow gauge Although 335 miles of track were eventually laid South Park & Pacific Railway Company in 1872. denver 's leading businessmen formed The denver would outweigh the costs, Evans and a group of the challenge and convinced that the benefits to achieve a functional rail line. Still undaunted by would require tunneling through tons of solid rock Excessive grades and treacherous winter weather wagon roads and even foot trails seemed unlikely.

7 Proposed Railroad route crossed canyons where proved transportation to remote settlements, the dream. Although some stage and freight companies Almost everyone considered the vision an impossible San Juan region, and reach the Pacific . begin at denver , cross the Rockies, open the rich to be tapped, he envisioned a Railroad that would of these and other economic resources just waiting the trees and mountains. Excited by the potential entrepreneurial spirit saw timber and minerals in through colorado 's majestic landscapes, his As Governor John Evans traveled on horseback The Impossible Dream THE. The Company is fully alive to the advantages to be gained by the early denver , South Park &.

8 Completion and opening to traffic of Pacific Railroad This brochure was made possible through a partnership between HISTORY. their various lines, and fully realize the Pike National Forest, Park County, and the colorado Historical Society. For more information about the denver South Park & Pacific Railway, contact the colorado Railroad Museum in Golden or the colorado Railroad Association in denver , or check the vast resources, the immense trade, your local library for the following references: The South Park Line: A Concise History by Chappell, and the quickening influence of Richardson published by the colorado Railroad Museum, Box 10, Golden CO 80401.

9 denver South Park & Pacific by Poor; published by the railways upon industrial development Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, PO Box 2391, denver CO 80201. Pictorial Supplement to denver South Park & Pacific by all of which will be assured by the Kindig, Haley, and Poor; published by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, PO Box 2391, denver CO 80201. speedy completion of their lines. The USDA policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA- South Park road will open to denver related activity should immediately contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

10 A new empire, whose resources, industries, and commercial importance will add untold wealth to colorado , and new glories to its chief city denver .. ( denver Daily Times March 18, 1880). The old South Park Line, locomotive #197, Courtesy of the denver Public Library, Western History Department. Part way up Boreas Pass. Photo by Dick Jackson, colorado Rail Annual No. 12. Making the Dream Come True The Dream Lives and Dies Connecting denver to the booming mining camps of South Park was the driving force Although famously quoted as damned slow pulling and pretty rough riding , the DSP&P showed a considerable profit during its first five years to get the DSP&P underway.