Actually you both need correcting, as the new interstate highway was I-70.
Sorry to have to correct English. but you mean consequently, not subsiquently. Subsiquently would mean there was a gap in service, which there certainly was not. The D&RGW tracks on the old CM RoW were, of course, put in place before the actual removal of the old tracks and construction of I-80.
But the information you are presenting is accurate and worth learning and not very-well known.
To be more specific, the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, occupies what was the Midland Terminal right of way.
One can still ride the rails of the Colorado Midland today! Amtrak's California Zephyr runs over former CM ROW west of Glenwood Springs* and continues west over what was the Rio Grande Junction Ry. to Grand Junction. The RGJ was jointly owned and operated by the CM and D&RG!
*The original D&RG ROW was utilized when I-80 was constructed through the Glenwood Springs area. The D&RGW was subsiquently relaid on the CM ROW!
I stand corrected. Pardon me! Are there other Midland railroads around the world that are still operating? I imigine many British railfans miss the London Midland, & Scottish Railway as much as I miss the CM and MT in Colorado!
Trinity River Bottoms Boomer For some reason, "Midland" railroads seem to always fall on bad luck.
For some reason, "Midland" railroads seem to always fall on bad luck.
Not completely. The Chicago & Illinois Midland has been reasonably successful and is now part of the G&W network as the Illinois & Midland.
Driving west on Route 24 from Colorado Springs as you go up Ute Pass off to the left you can see the remnants of the old Colorado Midland / Midland Terminal right of way, complete with tunnels. Some of the old stations are still standing in the towns along Route 24 repurposed for other uses. In Cripple Creek the old CM/MT station, a very substantial one by the way, is still there and it's a fascinating museum of local history now.
The Cripple Creek and Victor narrow-gauge tourist line (steam-powered!) is near the museum as well and runs along part of the old CM right of way. Fun ride too!
The old stone CM roundhouse is still there in Colorado Springs, and I understand it's a craft brewery now.
The all time classic on the Colorado Midland remains the book by the same title by the late Morris Cafky which was published in 1965! The Midland Route:A Colorado Midland Guide & Data Book by Edward M. "Mel" McFarland was published in 1980 by Pruett Press and compliments more than dublcates Cafky's book. These two books belong in every Midland fan's library along with Abbott's. McFarland also wrote a book on the Midland Terminal, titled The Cripple Creek Road: A Midland Terminal Guide & Data Book, published in 1984 also by Pruett Press. The Colorado Railroad Museum published an expanded Second Edition of McFarland's Midland Road in 1986 which contains additional information not found in the First Edition.
Though gone almost 100 years, the Midland refuses to die and remains in the hearts of those who love hard luck railroads. My second favorite being the New York, Ontario & Western. The "Old Woman" died in 1957 and it should be noted that it was chartered as the New York & Oswego Midland!
Not to be forgotten: The Midland Continental. It was to build between Winnepeg, Manitoba in Canada to Galveston, Texas on the Gulf of Mexico. Only some 70 plus miles were constructed in North Dakota. Sadly, it was abandoned in the late 60s or early 70s. The only remaining depot on the MICO is located in Wimbledon, ND where MICO caboose #710 is on display in front of the depot which is maintained by the MC Depot Transportation Museum. See the MC thread here on the Classic Trains forum.
You're welcome!
And, we should remember "Classic Trains" can't print articles if no-one writes them and submits them.
If you're really interested in the Colorado Midland Railway there was an excellent book about it published in 1989 by Sundance Publications Limited (221 Sherman St. Denver CO 80203) called "Colorado Midland Railway, Daylight Through The Divide" by Dan Abbott.
It's a substantial hardcover book of 375 pages packed with photographs, maps, and a well-researched text. I got my copy 20 years ago at the Colorado Railroad Museum, they just might have a few copys left so it might be worth your while to contact them. Sorry, I don't remember what I paid for it but considering the quality I don't think it was cheap, although I doubt I paid more than $50 for it.
You might have some luck with Amazon.com as well, as well as checking with various railbook dealers. If there's any train shows in your area thay'd be a good place to look as well. E-Bay might be a good place check as well.
Hope this helps, good luck!
daveklepper It is still appropriate and interesting and important subject matter. Many, many years ago, early 1950's I believe, those with the full CD can check on this, TRAINS ran an excellent article Grass Grows on the Midland, that both conveyed some of the spirit of the operation, the wildflower excursions, trains snowed in, etc. and the facts about its building and its demise. It was truly put to death by the USRA. But it probably should not have been built to begin with. At the time of its abandonment, it was by far the largest railroad abandonment. A portion at the east end survived until well after WWII as the Midland Terminal, even into dieselization. Possibly the article should be available as a pdf.
It is still appropriate and interesting and important subject matter. Many, many years ago, early 1950's I believe, those with the full CD can check on this, TRAINS ran an excellent article Grass Grows on the Midland, that both conveyed some of the spirit of the operation, the wildflower excursions, trains snowed in, etc. and the facts about its building and its demise. It was truly put to death by the USRA. But it probably should not have been built to begin with. At the time of its abandonment, it was by far the largest railroad abandonment. A portion at the east end survived until well after WWII as the Midland Terminal, even into dieselization.
Possibly the article should be available as a pdf.
Colorado Midland was abandoned about 1920, before the "Classic Train" era.
Why Classic Trains do not make articles or place photos of this railways?
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