Georgetown Loop Railroad

The loop was built about 1880 to ease the grade on the narrow gauge railroad up to the silver and gold mines from 6-7% to an average of 3.5%. Clear Creek runs down the valley past the mines and meant that several other bridges were needed as the railroad wound its way up the steep canyon to Silver Plume, a high junction of several other branches now long abandoned. The Shay is the normal motive power but our train had a 900 hp diesel. A broken part has sidelined the Shay for a few days as a new one is fashioned by the skilled maintenance personnel. Georgetown's main street is little changed from the 1880's (I think the saloons and brothels have largely been replaced with other more tourist friendly shops however:)