In 1866, the Union Pacific Railroad decided its rail route would go through Cheyenne, WY and not through Denver, CO. Three visionary men saved a dying Denver by promoting and building a connecting line from Cheyenne to Denver, placing Denver as a supply town between the East, the front-range's farming and ranching communities and the miners in the mountains.
Denver became a supply town for surrounding communities and miners as it brought in much needed supplies by train that could be taken to the mountains by wagon or narrow gauge train. Pueblo became the railroad capitol of Colorado, allowing trains to pass from the plains around the mountains to the West. Once the Moffat Tunnel was built near Winter Park, it allowed trains to go from Denver through the mountains. This allowed day travelers to reach the mountains easily, even providing families a summer escape from the hot city.
Join us at the Forney Museum of Transportation for this FREE Rail Fan Lecture and slide show, as we explore the history of rail in Denver and the men that saved the city!
