Pikes Peak Railway Photos |
The Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway (1889-91) was instigated by Zalmon Simmons, inventor of Beautyrest Mattresses. The 8.9 mi cog rail track was first served by Baldwin steam locomotives made for the special track with grades up to 25 percent. From 1964 on, the railway has been served rail diesel cars made by Swiss Locomotive Works of Wintertur. Pike's Peak became part of the American legend when explorer Zebulon Pike described it in 1806. Pike's expedition was second to that of Lewis & Clark, during the when American's were itching to settle the West, so the mountain caught the imagination. It was reinforced by the so-called Pike's Peak gold rush, wherein, no gold was actually found on the mountain, but further west into the Rockies. A road also runs to the top of the Peak & is the course of an annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, with the fastest race time to the top running about ten minutes. |
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| See also: Colorado Springs Region, Railroad Museum & Attractions |
| Click photo to enlarge. |
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| Steam locomotive #5 (1901) of Pike's Peak Cog Railway made by Baldwin Locomotive Works on display at Pike's Peak station. | Front end details of Pike's Peak Cog Railway Steam locomotive #5. | Modern Swiss-made passenger cars of Pike's Peak Cog Railway sit beside depot. | Pike's Peak Cog Railway depot sign. |
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| Pike's Peak Cog Railway cars from above. | Pike's Peak Cog Railway passengers waiting to board. | Pike's Peak Cog Railway passengers waiting to depart. | Pike's Peak Cog Railway yard with intricate cog switches. |
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| Pike's Peak Cog Railway diesel car starts climb to top of mountain. | Manitou & Pike's Peak Ry. 0-4-2 cog steam locomotive #1 (1893) built by Baldwin at Colorado Railroad Museum. | Baldwin maker's plate of Manitou & Pike's Peak Ry. cog steam locomotive at Colorado Railroad Museum. |
All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart. All rights reserved. Permission required to use. |